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TOUR n. 22 CHIANTI COUNTRYSIDE WINE-TASTING
 One of our luxury vehicles will be at your hotel or pick up location and we will proceed towards the beautiful countryside of the Chianti region, and then on what they call the "Wine Road". Between vineyards and olive trees, we'll reach Greve in Chianti, the small village, named after the nearby river, it expanded very much during the 14th & 15th centuries, where we will find a monument dedicated to Giovanni da Verrazzano, the explorer who discovered the New York Harbour.
We'll see Piazza Matteotti with its porticoes, the church of Santa Croce, the San Francesco convent and a series of tiny, shops and wine-cellars. One of the most famous is the butcher shop Falorni, which has been located in this piazza for 500 years. You can have free samples of many of their locally produced products. Many famous people from Hollywood order beef, salami, and ham here.
In Greve there is also the wine cellar called "Le Cantine" where you will be able to taste more than 100 different wines, olive oils, vin santo and grappa, all produced in the Chianti area. It's really a showcase for the Tuscany region's wines and products.
 After Greve, we depart for the magnificent Castle of Verrazzano, found on top of a gorgeous hill between Florence and Siena in the heart of the Chianti Classic wine production area.
It was originally an Etruscan settlement, then a Roman one, until becoming the property of the Verrazzano family in the 12th century. Giovanni da Verrazzano, who discovered the bay of New York and the main part of the East Coast of America (the suspended bridge in New York with the longest span in the world bears his name) was born here in 1485.
Guided tours of the Castle can be booked to see the gardens, the centuries-old aging cellars and, as a curiosity, the wild boars which breed naturally in the surrounding woods. Together with the world famous wines, all the various products of the farm can be tasted, including olive oil, salted meats, wild boar sausage and the area's other typical specialities.
 After our visit of the Castle our tour continues with a drive through the countryside and small villages like Panzano and Castellina in Chianti, with an additional stop for another wine tasting at the famous "Rocca delle Macie" wine shop.
After this stop, we'll proceed to Siena, where you'll immediately notice a strange and ancient atmosphere floating through the little, narrow streets and squares. You'll feel as if you've stepped back in time. Draped on its three hills, Siena is a very beautiful city to visit, a flamboyant medieval ensemble of places and towers cast in warm, brown, Siena coloured bricks.
Its soaring skyline is its pride, dominated by the gothic cathedral (the Duomo) and the taut needle of the Torre del Mangia and yet the shell shaped Piazza del Campo, probably captures the most attention and fame. It has been seen in movies, photographs, and advertising campaigns.
The bricks cover the sweetly sloping land underneath and are witness to many events in history, but the most intriguing is the "Palio" horserace, one of the most important things in the life of a Siena native.
In the piazza on July 2nd and on the 16th of August there is a bareback horse race that was first recorded in 1283, but may have had its origins in Roman military training. On those days mayhem takes over this small town and non-natives can observe local patriotism at its best and worst. Any and everything will be done passionately to bring home the prize. The prize is the "Palio," a banner to be shown off with pride for the whole neighbourhood it represents.
Wine Tasting Expenses:
Verrazzano Winery: Guided visit of the Castle (in English) + Wine tasting = 18.00 € (euro) per person
Rocca delle Macie Winery: Wine tasting free
* On Saturdays and Sundays we will take you to visit the Fattoria di Montagliari instead of the Castello di Verrazzano.
The following price list is valid for pick up and drop off in Florence. If you need a different pick up and/or drop off location, please contact us.
EXTRA INFORMATION:
- Duration of this tour: 8 hrs.
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- The vehicle and driver will be at your complete disposal for the entire duration of the tour.
- If you like, you can ask your driver to modify your tour in any way.
Payments: All rates are quoted in EURO funds. Payment can be made in USD's , Euro, Traveler's cheques or with Visa/ MasterCard/ American Express (add 5% for c/c).
Our rate also includes taxes, tolls, fuel and parking fees. It does not include Wine tasting fees, meals and entrance fees where required, unless mentioned in our confirmation.
The rates below are to be considered "all inclusive".
Email Bob if more information is necessary or click on the following link to make your Reservations.
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