"Chianti region" Monti del Chianti by roberto.baglioni

Chianti is a region in Tuscany located between Siena and Firenze.
Chianti is famous for the beauty and sweetness of the landscape, the quality of the historical buildings, castles and churches and countryside houses, the strategic position good for visiting both Siena and Florence, and last but not least for the production of the well known wine, also named Chianti. In the last decades the production of the wine has been joined by high quality olive oil and the production of delicatessen (salame, prosciutto, salsicce …).

The land is mostly hilly, not easy for agriculture, but the work of the men in the centuries have modified the territory in such a way that vineyards extend everywhere, along the side of the hills. At higher altitudes, over 500 meters, the cultivation is no effective, and plantations leave room to woods.

The historical and medieval "Lega del Chianti" was a sort of alliance which grouped the three towns of Radda, Gaiole and Castellina. The three communes are the very heart of the Chianti region. In modern times Greve in Chianti has got a preminent position thanks to the proximity with Florence, thus is now considered to be the gate of Chianti.

The four towns are worth a visit, expecially Radda, the one with definite ancient mood, but the most recommended modality for visiting Chianti is wandering around the countryside, discovering little stone villages, outstanding landscapes, small churches and mighty castles, witnessing the long fight between Siena and Florence for the possess of the region.

Chianti has plenty of accomodations, expecially the B&B and Agriturismi (holiday farms) are recommended. In general I would suggest to spend more than one day in Chianti, because it demands time to discover its hidden treasures.

• Pros:Beautiful, relaxing countryside. Wine and food
• Cons:Can be expensive
• In a nutshell:Enjoy the land at slow pace