Impruneta
This small village is only 15 kilometers from Florence and is regarded as the gate to the Chianti region. It is famous for the decorative terracotta objects still produced with ages-old techniques. There are several workshops in and around the village that are open for visits, where you can see how clay is formed into characteristic vases and statues. M.I.T.A.L. is perhaps the most charming among them.
San Casciano in Val di Pesa
As an historic commercial center at an important crossroads, San Casciano was almost completely destroyed during the World War II, and it has been finely reconstructed afterwards. Around the town there are important historical villas like Castle Bibbione, Villa Borromeo and Albergaccio Machiavelli that could be visited by appointment. The latter is known to be the family countryhouse of the famous political theorist Niccolò Machiavelli, where he wrote his famous volume "The Prince" during his exile from Florence.
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Relais Poggio Borgoni
Situated on the hills overlooking the Pesa River, this Chianti wine estate has romantic rooms and an osteria serving Tuscan specialties.
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Salvadonica
A great countryside hotel established at a historical farm of 26 acres. They serve their own wine and olive oil, besides giving cooking classes at their in-house restaurant.
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Antinori Nel Chianti Classico
A modern winery carved into a hillside covered with vineyards, managed by the famous family dealing with wine making for 26 generations over 6 centuries! Make reservations for the wine tasting tours.
Panzano in Chianti
This small attractive town sits on a hill-top along the scenic Via Chantigiana (SR 222), from Florence to Siena. The town attracts visitors with its medieval castle and several outdoor cafes and restaurants. Famous butcher and restaurateur Dario Cecchini also welcomes his guests here at his butcher shop.
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Antica Macellaria Cecchini
At this butcher shop, you have a good selection of fixed price menu served around family-style tables. Try "bistecca alla fiorentina" with a glass of local red. You can also bring your own wine and be served without a corking fee!
Greve in Chianti
Now, you are right at the heart of Chianti region and you will feel it! This calm town has a picturesque triangle-shaped piazza, encircled with porticos hiding interesting boutiques, artisanal workshops and restaurants on either side.
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Villa Bordoni
A charming countryside hotel at an old aristocrat's villa restored into its old beauty. The hotel has a celebrated restaurant and also offers courses at its Chianti Cooking School.
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Ristoro di Lamole
Tuscan specialties like ravioli of pear and Pecorino Senese or pappardelle on wild boar, accompanied by a wine selection of more than 300 labels.
San Gimignano
Described as “the medieval Manhattan” by many, this walled settlement strikes visitors with its 14 historic towers soaring to the sky, as the status symbols of aristocratic families. The city became an independent commune in 1199 and gained wealth thanks to its strategic position along Via Francigena. Later, it has come under the Florentine control and did not go under an urban transformation after the Middle Ages, like other Italian cities. Thanks to that, the town was able to protect its original urban layout, and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 1990s. The feudal atmosphere is still intact, as well as several masterpieces of 14th and 15th century Italian art.
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Hotel Bel Soggiorno
21 clean rooms at a 13th century building located on the main street of the old town.
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Hotel La Collegiata
This 16th century Capuchin monastry later became a summer residence, then a 20-room hotel with a true character.
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Colle di Val d'Elsa
This hillltop town overlooking the Elsa River is a good stop-over between Florence and Siena. It is famous for its internationally acclaimed crystal products. 95% of all Italian crystal and 14% of the world’s total production is made here. The city is divided into two: the uppert part is medieval center, while the lower part consists of the new industrial settlements. Museo del Cristallo (Crystal Museum) is a great small museum dedicated to this local artisanship.
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Hotel Relais Della Rovere
A rustic hotel converted from an ancient Benedictine abbey and a villa belonging to the Pope Julius II, the supporter of artists like Michelangelo and Raphael.
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Restaurant Arnolfo
A great restaurant that offers views of beautiful Tuscan hills and dishes by the Michelin starred chef Gaetano Trovato. Guests can also sleep at the adjacent rooms.
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Collevilca
60 years of experience in production of artisanal crystalware, ranging from wine glasses to tableware and decorative objects.
Siena
Tuscany’s best preserved medieval town is truly obsessed with history. Every summer, ten horses come together for the famous event of “Palio” at Piazza del Campo, the city’s main square. This 700–year–old race is held between the 17 contradas, or neighborhood guilds that have governed Siena since the Middle Ages. Each has its own small cathedral, communal kitchen and stable, where they keep their horses and Siena residents are usually very proud of the contrada they belong to. Today, the city is still lively, thanks to its well established university attracting students from all around the world.
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Fonteverde Tuscany
Near San Casciano dei Bagni hot spring waters, an award-winning spa hotel surrounded by olive groves and vineyards.
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Relais La Suvera
Marchese Giuseppe Ricci and his family welcome guests at this fascinating boutique hotel, converted from their private country residence.
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Antica Osteria da Divo
Creative local dishes, served in ancient Etruscan rooms cut out of the soft volcanic rock on which Siena is built.
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Guido Ristorante
A cosy restaurant serving the best local produce a few steps away from the Piazza del Campo.
Montalcino
Montalcino is a beautiful town located 40 kilometers south of Siena, in the middle of the breathtaking Val d’Orcia. The city is celebrated for its precious red wine called “Brunello di Montalcino”. The small hamlet of Sant’Angelo In Colle is only 10 kilometers away and is also a good spot to visit.
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Castello Banfi
14 rustic rooms and suites at a historic fortress, crowning a family wine estate.
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Castello di Velona
An 11th century medieval fortress converted into a modern resort, thermal spa and winery.
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Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco
A hilltop village completely converted to a luxury resort by Ferragamo family, with a medieval castle, an old winery, a church, two restaurants, a cooking school, a spa, 23 suites and 11 villas.
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Drogheria & Locanda Franci
Three unique suites and a luxury villa, accompanied by a small chique restaurant, an enoteca, a wine shop selling biodynamic labels and a crystal shop.
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Poggio Antico
A 200-hectare wine estate with highly rated wines and a great restaurant.
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Re di Macchia
A small and friendly family business at city center.
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Pienza
Pienza is another great Tuscan town under protection as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Val d’Orcia region. The visionary Pope Pius II was born here and the town became the first place where the Renaissance concept of urban design for an ideal town was first applied in the 15th century, having a huge effect development of city planning in Italy and around the world. Pienza is also famous for its characteristic pecorino cheese, which is the best of Italy. Make sure to visit the medieval village of Monticchiello, which is a mere 5 kilometers away.
Montepulciano
A medieval town full of elegant Renaissance palaces and ancient churches, offering magnificent panoramas of two valleys: Val d’Orcia and Val di Chiana. The town is also famous for its Vino Nobile, a great red wine made of Sangiovese, like many other premium Tuscan wines. The locals have carved underground wine cellars and cantinas in the hill, where the town was settled. It is delightful to visit some of those historic cantinas for wine tasting. The city became ever more popular after the “Twilight Saga: The New Moon” was filmed here in 2009.
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Il Tosco
A noble house that can also be rented entirely, accomodating 8 people.
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Lupaia
5 small houses and a mansion dating back to 1622, converted into a romantic hideway by an Austrian family.
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Villa Poggiano
A renovated 18th century villa with 14 splendid suites in 6 hectares of parkland near Montepulciano.
Cortona
You could easily spend a day or two at this beautiful city, internationally made famous by the books of American writer Frances Mayes. Her bestseller “Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy” (1996) tells the story of her buying, renovating and living in an abandoned farm house, Casa Bramasole, in Cortona. The city is small but offers many interesting places to visit, like MAEC (The Etruscan Academy Museum of the City of Cortona), where you can see the artifacts found in the Etruscan archeological sites around.
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Cortona Resort & Spa
A village-like resort dominated by an eighteenth-century villa and surrounded by formal gardens and woods.
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Hotel San Michele
42 rooms in a large comfortable house, the historic Baldelli Palace, which has been declared a national monument.
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Il Falconiere
As a Relais & Châteaux member, Il Falconiere is a wine resort and exclusive SPA, with a Michelin star restaurant.
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Villa di Piazzano
Built in 1464 as the hunting manor of Cardinal Silvio Passerini, this elegant hotel is located in a protected natural reserve near Cortona.
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Bottega Baracchi
A wine bar, a restaurant serving traditional food and a store selling local gourmet products.
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La Bucaccia da Romano
Located on a charming street, this restaurant welcomes its guests in the old cellars of 12th century Palazzo Cattani.
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La Logetta
A cosy and elegant restaurant managed by a couple in a 13th century building, with a beautiful medieval loggia overlooking Piazza della Repubblica.
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Osteria del Teatro
A seasonally changing menu is served at this 16th century elegant building.
Arezzo
This medieval town prospered thanks to its tradition in goldsmithery. Although it was heavily damaged during the World War II, there is still much to see around. The city, which is 80 kilometers away from Florence, is a bit off the beaten path and you would find less visitors and more locals here. The city is famous for its Fiera Antiquaria (Antiques Market), which is held the first weekend of every month. Around 500 exhibitors are scattered on and around the Piazza Grande with their stalls and second hand treasures.
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Graziella Patio Hotel
A charming hotel a few steps away from the Basilica di San Francesco, located in a building with 15th century cellars.
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Vogue Hotel
A practical and neat 4-star hotel with 26 rooms in the city center.
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La Lancia d'Oro
A lively restaurant bursting with colors, where you can also witness some local family and friend gatherings.
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Le Chiavi d'Oro
A surprisingly retro-modern atmosphere at Piazza San Francesco and refined Italian cuisine.