We arrive in Florence in one week and have four night there. We are hoping to spend at least one day out in the countryside, perhaps visiting the villages for a wine tasting. Any suggestions of how we can do this without a big tour group?
Posted by
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
265 posts
Rachel I keep recommending Castello di Verrazzano. Go to their site and see if that's what you are looking for. They have Agriturismo rooms. My wife wants to go back to Chiati to stay there. http://www.verrazzano.com/en/
Posted by
Monterey County, CA (formerly Verbania Italy-Lago Maggiore)
1626 posts
We were just in Tuscany a week ago (heavy sigh, we're back home now). We spent our last day driving up 2222 through Chianti on the way to the airport in Florence. I'd saved a bunch of HL posts on my Ipod touch, so scrolled through looking for a winery to stop by and visit. Castello di Verrazzano was only a mile or two off the main road just south of Greve. There was a tour starting in 20 minutes, which we joined. The winery will probably be in the heat of crush when you are there. Sounds like they do a special lunch for people taking the tour, which was booked. So we just ordered off their regular lunch menu. Fabulous wine, food, and setting for our last afternoon in Italy. Best Lasagna I've ever had.
We did not find driving through Tuscany difficult at all. Just take your time, and if someone wants to pass, they will, or pull over when you get a chance. A GPS is a must.
Posted by
Chicago
24 posts
Have a look at the Slow day in Tuscany http://www.slow-days.com
They go to villages in the Chianti region with small groups and include a vineyard visit for wine tasting.
Posted by
Buffalo Grove, IL, United States
12 posts
I agree with Mark. We just went on a tour with Simon from Slow Day in Tuscany to Chianti country and had a wonderful day. We kept a blog, and I'd be happy to send you our entry for that day.