My wife and I are planning a weeklong trip to Tuscany this September and are looking for recommendations on staying at a wine/olive farm with tasting/cooking etc and outdoor activities. I was hoping not to have to rent a car so I would like to find something close to public transportation of some sort. The places I have researched so far recommend that you have a vehicle. Does anyone have any recommendations? thanks in advance.
Posted by
Rural Georgia
2218 posts
I highly recommend Castillo di Verrazzano (https://www.verrazzano.com/en/).
It’s just outside Greve and 20 miles south of Florence. You’d be there during harvest, which will be a fun time.
Greve is on the main bus line, so you could get to other towns and cities via Florence. The winery is a little too far to walk, although they have bicycles. To get from the farmhouse at the base of the hill to the winery itself is a little too steep for a bicycle, though. Greve is small, I doubt they have a taxi service but you may be able to hire a driver.
While you could do your trip without a car, it will be very inconvenient at best. Driving in Chianti/Tuscany is easy and fun and really opens up your possibilities. Don’t be put off by the alarmist horror stories you read here and elsewhere. If you are a good defensive driver, study up a little and obey the traffic laws you’ll be fine.
Posted by
Austin TX after living in Boulder CO for 25 years
1175 posts
DougMac is right ! Driving is so much fun and you can explore at your own pace.
Another suggestion is Cretaiole - look at theisabellaexperience.com. You may have to stay a week, but the lodging is fabulous !
Borgo Argenina is great too in the Chianti area - Elena cooks with her guests one evening and the view over the vineyards for coffee and homemade breakfasts is delightful.
Posted by
Coquitlam
239 posts
I cannot offer a recommendation for accommodation as we have not been in Tuscany for a few years. We have found good accommodation in every part of Tuscany.
One suggestion is to stay in one or two locations and day trip. As a North American it can be hard to fathom how small the region is and how easy it is to travel to destinations. It also allows you to see a town after the tourists leave. We experience a completely different town when we spent a night and the town was quiet. Two towns that come to mind are Orvieto and San Giminango.
Unfortunately, you really need a car to explore the region. We stay off the major highways and try and travel back roads. You can find wonderful towns, not in a guide book that are equally charming and worth visiting. Parking can be a challenge sometimes, but in my opinion worth the bother.