Guided tour of Tuscany, the area of Siena

Pick you up in the morning, we'll go straight to San Gimignano, the famous town of the medieval towers, one of the main tourist attractions in Tuscany, a perfectly preserved 12th and 13th Century jewel. A well known landmark and perphaps the most iconic image town of Tuscany. From San Gimignano, we'll continue the journey towards Certaldo, a splendid medieval town that has remained intact, its atmosphere refers to the charm of a rich life and culture. In Certaldo Alto monuments, charming churches, palaces, towers are at every step. There will be also time to visit the birthplace house of

 

 

Boccaccio, author of the Decameron. After Certaldo, our next stop will be Volterra, a town that still retains its medieval character, charm and atmosphere and offers views of the medieval, Roman and Etruscan worlds. A place where you will experience milleniums of history, art, archeology and culture from the Etruscans to the Romans, from the Middle Ages to Renaissance simply strolling through its narrow streets, unique squares, winning artisan shops and charming landscapes.

 

Today we we'll start our journey by a nice drive through enchanting landscapes of gentle hills, farmhouses and cypress trees lines to reach Montalcino, a well renowed town set on top of a hill from which there are views that were painted by the masters of the Siennese Trecento. The fortress, the churches, the steep lanes and stairways and alleys and the municipal palace, with its slender tower, will take you back in time to distant fascinating periods. In Montalcino, stop at a famous winery for tasting some of its superb wines, a must-do in this town. From Montalcino, next stop will be at the little town know as "the Tuscan gem of the Reinassance",

 

Pienza, one of the most beautiful Tuscan towns, rare example of Renaissance architecture brought to completion. Considered for long time the 'ideal city', and birthplace of Pope Pius II, it represents today one of the practical ways through which during Renaissance men tried to create an ideal model of life and government on earth. From Pienza, in our particular back in time journey, we'll get to Montepulciano. An impressive town built in 1500 along a narrow ridge of limestone, well known all over the world for its imposing Renaissance palaces, the elegant beauty of its churches and also for its Vino Nobile, one of the most appreciated Tuscan wines all over the world.

Early in the morning, we'll drive through the Chiantigiana road towards Castellina in Chianti, a tiny hilltop town. Here you will admire the Rocca Comunale, a 15C Fortress, and the Church of San Salvatore. Along Via Ferruccio, you will find Palazzo Ugolini and Palazzo Biancardi and along the ancient walls, an impressive underground tunnel now called Via della Volte is a fascinating tunnel with shops and restaurants. A few steps away from the city center, the Fortress with its tall tower offers a stunning panorama of the town and countryside. Inside the Fortress is the headquarters of the Municipality and the Archeological Museum of Chianti, displaying important archeological findings from the surroundings that testify the ancient origins of the Chianti region.

 

Leaving Castellina behind, we'll continue towards Radda in Chianti, another tiny village situated on a hill covered with woods and extensive vineyards forming the watershed between the Pesa and Arbia valleys. The town maintains its medieval look characterized by narrow streets meeting in the main square where you'll find the Church of San Niccolò. In the surroundings of Radda you'll see many castles and parish churches, such as the medieval Castle of Volpaia and the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria in Prato with beautiful flowered capitals in the Romanesque style. And finally, from Radda all the way through Greve in Chianti, a picturesque country town strategically positioned at the crossroads of three important pilgrimage roads - the Chiantigiana road, the road to Valdarno and the road to Val di Pesa. Its square is still the focal point of the town and despite there are few museums and monuments to visit, it offers a chance to have a relaxing walk around the main square or to enjoy one of its many events such as food, wine or music festivals.