Montebenichi is located in the municipality of Bucine in the Province of Arezzo of Tuscany. The village is situated on a hilltop between the Chianti Aretino and the Chianti Senesi, dominating the Valdambra, right on the border with the municipalities of Gaiole in Chianti and Castelnuovo Berardenga. The views from the village are truly splendid, sweeping across the Crete Senesi to Monte Amiata in the south, Cortona in the east and Sienna and beyond in the west.

One of the great pleasures of visiting the beautiful Chianti Classico wine zone of Tuscany is the opportunity to stay at a working winery. Agriturismo “Le Cetinelle”, located in the cool Chianti hills above Greve in Chianti, is just such a property. “Le Cetinelle” produces Chianti Classico wine and extavirgin olive oil, and offers comfortable accommodation for visitors holidaying in the region.

Castellina in Chianti is situated on a ridge along the Chiantigiana highway between Florence and Siena, at the turn-off for Poggibonsi. Castellina has an attractive old town centre marred by a grotesque formation of industrial silos and an abandoned warehouse

The term “agriturismo” has a legal meaning in Tuscany even though it is sometimes used loosely to refer to any rural holiday accommodation. An agritourism is a working farm – in Tuscany invariably a winery and/or producer of olive oil – that offers accommodation to tourists in the form of whole houses, apartments or rooms.

Monteriggioni is one of the most famous and attractive castles in all Tuscany. Its curtain wall and fourteen towers are virtually intact, and the interior is now occupied by a small and peaceful village.

Badia a Coltibuono was founded in 1051 by monks of the Benedictine Vallombrosan Order who also began planting the first vineyards in the Upper Chianti area. In 1810, when Tuscany was under Napoleonic rule, the monks were forced to leave Coltibuono and the monastery was deconsecrated and, after passing through a number of hands, was bought by the Stucchi-Prinetti family.

Greve in Chianti is a small town situated in the valley of the Greve stream, half-way along the scenic Chiantigiana highway (SS 222) that runs from Florence to Sienna. Greve has an attractive, arcaded, triangular piazza with several ceramics and wine shops

The Tuscany holiday accommodations listed here are located in both the countryside and the small towns and villages of the Chianti Classico wine territory. They are often near wineries but are not working vineyards themselves.

One of the most convenient forms of accommodation in Chianti and Tuscany is a Bed and Breakfast (B&B) in Chianti. These can be located in both the countryside and the small towns and villages of the Chianti Classico wine territory and there are usually only two or three rooms offered, making for a more relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Lamole is a small village high up in the Chianti hills, accessed from a turnoff between Greve and Panzano. While Lamole is a charming little place in itself, the main reason for a visit is the beautiful drive up, passing by the famous renaissance Villa Vignamaggio and the Castello di Lamole along a road lined by cypresses and offering spectacular views.

Badia a Passignano. According to tradition, a monastery was founded at Passignano by Sichelmo in 890. An Abbey (Badia) was established 1049 as a consequence of the Vallombrosan monastic reforms, and took the form of a quadrangular fortified structure with corner towers.

Since Renaissance times, the inhabitants of Florence have sought tranquility and cool breezes during summer by staying in Tuscan villas and on farms in the surrounding Tuscan hills. This is still an excellent strategy, not just for Florentines but also for summer visitors to this beautiful city.

Agriturismo Corte di Valle vacation accommodations. Stay in a genuine Tuscan villa on the Chianti wine-producing property within easy reach of Florence.

The vacation rentals listed here are all genuine agriturismi, meaning that you will be staying on an authentic Tuscan farm, usually but not always a winery. Almost all are producers of Tuscan olive oil. One or two agriturismi produce only organic olive oil or organic fruit and vegetables. Click the links for pictures, details and prices. Your enquiries and reservations will go directly to the owner of the property.

Uzzano Castle is a fine Renaissance villa located on the outskirts of Greve in Chianti. Traces of the ancient castle may be discerned in the remains of a watch tower but the predominant form of the structure is now a large 17 C villa with an excellent italianate garden restored in the 18 C.

The holiday of a lifetime – a couple of weeks relaxing in a luxury Tuscany villa! Throughout the province of Tuscany and especially near the art cities of Florence and Siena, patrician villas are to be found in beautiful situations, usually vine-covered hillsides with spectacular panoramic views.

Villa Vignamaggio is located on the road to Lamole from Greve andPanzano. As it stands today, it is a splendid Renaissance villa rebuilt during the 15 C and the 16 C by the Gherardi family and showing a clear influence of the architecture of Brunelleschi.

Brolio Castle is a nineteenth century Gothic revival structure built on the foundations of an important fort originating in the 10 C. During Medici times, Brolio Castle was greatly modified with the addition of some of the first anti-cannon bastions constructed in Italy.

Volpaia is a well-restored mediaeval village located in central Chianti. Part of the walls and two of the original six towers of Volpaia are preserved, the largest of the two housing the Castello di Volpaia wine shop and osteria. Volpaia was the hometown of a famous Florentine family of clock- and instrument-makers and is now an attractive tourist destination with three restaurants, a small grocery and some vacation rental apartments.

San Donato in Poggio is a mediaeval village of great charm located near the Via Cassia, the highway that runs along the western boundary of the Chianti Classico wine zone from Florence to Sienna. In modern times, the Via Cassia has been superceded by the Florence-Sienna motorway