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Chianti is what the visitor imagines when they dream of Tuscany. A long stretch of hill towns and vineyards, bathed in sunshine and superb light during the summer, and mild even in the depths of winter, and with many hundreds of acres of woodland complementing the vineyards and fields.
The towns compete with the countryside for beauty. Florence, home of Michelangelo, Botticelli and the Medici, of the Ponte Vecchio and the Neptune Fountain; the birthplace of modern art, sculpture and commerce, and the centre of the Renaissance - the city is a holiday in itself.
And at the very heart of the Chianti region, Siena rewards a day (or days) of exploration. It has a fine 12th century Gothic and Romanesque Cathedral built in stunning black and white marble, and one of the oldest universities in the world, founded in 1240. The hub of the city is the huge Campo, a scallop-shaped 'square' dating back to the 14th century. You'll find marvellous restaurants, cafes, bars and shops here.
Meanwhile Lucca, the most graceful of Tuscan provincial capitals, sits within a complete ring of fifteenth century walls. Around these lie peaceful grassed gardens; within lies a delightful labyrinth of a town, with its mediaeval buildings still holding to the Roman street plan laid out two millennia ago.
And Pisa, with its Leaning Tower at the centre of the marvellous Campo dei Miracoli, where the Duomo, Baptistery and Camposanto combine to form a spectacular quarter of mediaeval architecture, is unmissable.
What to see and what to leave out? As the owners are also your neighbours, they will be delighted to lend a hand, recommending restaurants, attractions and day trips throughout Tuscany! Click below to find out more.
