Tuscany Off The Beaten Path Tips by croisbeauty Top 5 Page for this destination

Colle di Val d'Elsa

Colle di Val d'Elsa is situated on a half way in between Siena and San Gimignano, just a few kilometres after Monteriggioni. I was rushing to San Gimignano and Volterra since it was early afternoon, planning to go back from there and stay one more night in Siena. Monteriggioni and Val d'Elsa were supppose to be visited the next morning.
Sometimes we do change plans unexpectedly as I did it, instead of going back to Siena I wen to Pisa and my plan collapsed.

Villages of Toscana

Is it possible to remember the names of all villages we have been passing by or taking pictures of them from the distance, of course it's not. Toscana is full of beautiful landscapes, enchanting scenes and charming small settlements. In some other occasion of visiting I might be attracted with something else, even if repeating the roads I did before. Picture is moment in time and it depend of our present state of mind.

Castellina in Chianti

Castellina in Chianti is absolutely worth of visiting. It is small townlet nearby Siena but full of very interesting historic sights, some of which are unique.
TO BE CONTINUED

Panzano in Chianti

Panzano is another little gem of Chianti region which flippancy stands on the hill that dominates the local road from Firenze to Siena. The first that one can notice from a distance is the monumental church with beautifully adorned front facade. It is neo-classical church of Santa Maria built at the end of the 19th century, but looks almost like an Romanesque styled structure.
The old core of the town has typical Tuscan structure with one-storey stone made houses and short narrow streets. Do not miss to visit it when passing by.

Castello Verrazzano

The way to Castello Verrazzano seemed to me like too complicated, therefore I quit of approaching to it. It is situated off the road, a few kilometres west of Montefioralle in direction to Siena. Verrazzano is very famous brand of fine quality Chianti wines, appreciated in Italy and abroad. Close to the road, in a resting stop, stands its pitoresque wine shop which offers Verrazzano products.

Castello nearby Montefioralle

Montefioralle is surrounded with several hills and on the top of each rises up a small and very pitoresque castle-town. It is definetelly one of the most beautiful countryside I have ever seen in whole of Italy. I took this picture from a distance, therefore I cannot say weather the castle is inhabited with civilians or friars, which is morelikely. Anyhow, while the others produces wine around this castle you can see a huge number of olive trees.

Montefioralle - the church of Saint Cresci

On the opposite hilltop to Montefioralle rises up this ancient church consecrated to Saint Cresci that was one of the most impostant evangelizes of the Firentine countryside. Its outside, built in simple Romanesque style, dates back to the 12th century, while the round arched porch was added in the 15th century. The facade of the church shows a vivid mixture of white marly limestone and red terracotta bricks.
The friars of San Cresci produces fine quality of Chianti Classico and sell it in the adjacent wine cellar.

Castello Vicchiomaggio

Castello Vicchiomaggio is situated on the top of the hill which is situated kilometer or two north of Montefioralle. It is famous for its production of Chianti Classico, one of the best in the whole area of Chianti. There is a wine cellar, next to the castle, where one can buy Classico for a very good price. The whole estate looks fabulous and is worth of visiting.

Montefioralle

I duuno weather tourists do not know yet about it existance, but the place was completely isolated, except for the locals and two or three couples who droped here accidentely like I did. Oh, I am not complaining about, quite on the contarary, was very pleased to had chance of strolling around undisturbelly. Since it was hot summer day, the locals stood inside their houses and my idylla was complete.

Montefioralle

I had very simple plan, visiting Tuscany's major attractions, such as Firenze, Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra, Pisa and Lucca. My first destination was Firenze where I spend two lovely days. The third day I went to Siena taking local road through area of Chianti. The idea was to drive slowly and take some landscape pictures, but when in Toscana, your plan might be changed unexpectedly.
When I saw this beautiful small village called Montefioralle, I just couldn't resist to stop over. It is a kind of place we dream about, so peaceful, idyllic and endlessly attractive.