I thought I had ‘done’ Tuscany. Years ago, on my first solo backpacking trip around northern Italy I went to Florence, Siena and San Gimignano.
I loved it all and thought I would return one day but somehow there is always a new destination to visit – isn’t there?
Last weekend I was lucky enough to be invited to a family wedding held in the Chianti region of Tuscany and two days there made me realise that I have barely scratched the surface when it comes to Italy’s Toscano.
This time there were no cities, no queues, no museums or churches, not even a single Unesco World Heritage Site.
Just the glorious rolling countryside, with vineyards climbing steeply to hilltops crowned with medieval villages.
The first and best thing we did was stay at an agritourismo – one of Italy’s many farmhouse homestays. Casa Mezzuola is near the town of Greve in Chianti and is rustic yet comfortable, warmly hospitable and super family friendly.
Wouldn’t you love to wake up and open the curtains to see breakfast ready here?
Followed by a swim here?
About two minutes’ drive away is the walled town of Montefioralle, where we had a gorgeous meal at La Castellana (just outside the walls). Pasta with truffles and sausage. Just another reason to eat out in Italy.
And the wedding itself was 10 minutes’ away at Fattoria Rignana, a much more glamorous (i.e. out of our travel budget range) establishment with an equally stunning view from the poolside across the romantic Chianti countryside.
A new place to add to my list of the most romantic destinations in the world…. This Wandering Kiwi is in love!
By Natasha von Geldern
Have you explored Chianti in Tuscany? Where do you recommend?
Tuscany looks absolutely stunning! I was recently in Florence for a couple of days but we were travelling around Italy for a couple of weeks and didn’t have enough time to get into the Tuscan countryside unfortunately. What a magical place for a wedding! I keep hoping one of my friends will have a destination wedding like this one day so I can enjoy an experience like this myself!
Italy is truly an amazing place to spend holidays.
Tuscany place is so lovely. I would drop by that very lovely place in a heartbeat! I love your shot of the pool at sunset.
Gorgeous! Definitely a dream destination!!