From Firenze! by Court and Hallie

Characterized by artistic masterpieces, architectural wonders, quaint hilltop towns, and a wild, breathtaking countryside, the Tuscany region of Italy promises unforgettable experiences to those who venture through. Not only is this stunning region home to amazing attractions like Santa Maria del Fiore and Michelangelo’s David, the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, and Siena’s Cathedral, it also boasts some of Europe’s best wineries. Tuscany is the largest wine region in Italy, each region creating its own distinct wines. You will also find divine extra virgin olive oils and vinegars here.

The Chianti Region

Florence is an excellent place to begin your tasty travels into wine country. The Chianti Region begins just south of here, branching down to the north of Siena. You might choose to spend a day taking in the cultural sites of Florence, like the Duomo, the Fountain of Neptune, and the Ponte Vecchio, and then head out on a tour of nearby wine estates. The estates are numerous and beautiful, nestled within the gorgeous countryside. Along the way, you will encounter medieval hilltop towns, castles, and lovely villas — and, of course, you’ll get to taste incredible Chianti Classico wines. Some vineyards even offer accommodation for visitors, like Rocca delle Macie near Castellina, and San Felice near Siena.

Traveling through Europe recently, RealTravelers Court and Hallie enjoyed a bike tour through the Chianti region near Florence. They write:

“Before we left Florence, we made sure that we visited the Chianti region and what better way to do it than by bicycle. We signed up for a bike tour around the country with a visit to the Machiavelli winery. I think our young, Scottish tour guide named Andy was quite pleased to see that he had about 10 girls for the day…we were wined and dined…and sore the next day from all that uphill biking!” (more…)

Another traveling duo, kmcmcdonald2002, also visited this region, enjoying the picturesque rolling hills, medieval castles, and delicious samples of red wine along the way:

“Next stop was the wineries along the ‘Chianti Road’ in Tuscany. Our base was an old farmhouse in Greve-in-Chianti. We could have visited 2 dozen wineries (most housed in old castles), but had time only for a half dozen. Our favorites were Vinmaggio and Verazzano (yes, related to the bridge in New York). Fall must be one of the best times to visit Tuscany. The leaves on the grape vines were all that beautiful golden shade and the rolling hills are very green. We sampled many red wines (only called ‘Chianti Classico’ if grown here), the local Vin Santo (a delicious desert wine dipped in biscotti), and olio (olive oil). Spent a day exploring the cute village of Siena and wished that we had more time to see others.” (more…)

Other Tuscan Wine Regions

Other wine regions well worth a visit in Tuscany are San Gimignano and Volterra, known for its production of tasty white wines; Bolgheri on the Etruscan coast which is home to Supertuscan labels, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano in Southern Tuscany — the vineyards here surround the historic and utterly charming hilltop town of Montepulciano. If you’re a wine lover, or just love the idea of seeing the many beautiful sights of Tuscany, check out the links below for tips on planning your next trip.

Wine Tours and Wineries:
Tuscan Wine Tours
Suggested Itineraries for Wine Lovers
Rocca delle Macie
Barone Ricasoli

Suggested Itineraries from RealTravelers :
Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy: A One-Week Itinerary by Michelle Finkelstein
El Crucero Primavera 2007 by Lauren77

Travel Guides:
Italy Travel Guide
Tuscany Travel Guide
Florence Travel Guide
Pisa Travel Guide
Siena Travel Guide