Chianti in Tuscany: landscapes, art, wines and gastronomy

Chianti hills and vineyards in autumn, view from Villa le Barone’s tennis court

Are you sure you know Chianti? It is a blessed region of Tuscany: landscapes, art, wines and gastronomy! You have to come and come back again and again to discover all its facets. Villa le Barone has the chance to be in the heart of this corner of paradise!

Indeed there is a lot to discover in Chianti: sublime hillside landscapes, exquisite wines, authentic small villages, wonderful artistic heritage, and delectable gastronomy.

The stunning landscapes change with the seasons: tender green of the fields and sunny yellow of the broom in spring, yellow of the sunflowers in summer, ochres and the reds of the vines and vineyards in autumn. And, along the hills slopes, cypresses and olive trees, symbol of Tuscany! Pure air, perfumes, birdsongs, and church bells sounds guaranteed! Chianti is full of small churches, abbeys, hamlets and medieval villages, to be discovered along the roads.

Along the Chianti roads in spring : brooms and hills

Gastronomy is one of the pleasure of the lifestyle in Chianti , with the “antipasti” composed of various hors d’oeuvres, with the “bistecca alla fiorentina”, with the pecorino cheese, with the fresh and tasty vegetables and fruits, … And of course, there are the wines of Chianti, with a winemaking tradition that dates back to the 13th century. Most wineries and caves can be visited and wine tastings are a must!

Villa le Barone lies in the middle of the Chianti paradise… whether you are a walker, a cyclist, or driving a car, you will find at the Villa all the information you need to discover the many facets of Chianti!

Greve in Chianti

Greve in Chianti, in the province of Florence, is the small town that opens the door to this beautiful region that is Chianti. Located at the crossroads of Via Chiantigiana between Florence and Siena and the road to the Val d’Arno, it was in the Middle Ages an active exchange center.

It has kept charm and traditions, and is a member of the “cittaslow” network of cities where living is good! Panzano in Chianti, in the heart of the vineyards that produce the famous “Chianti Classico” is part of the municipality of Greve.

Greve in Chianti is still a very active city today with its typical market held every Saturday: fruits and vegetables, cheeses, but also clothes, table linen, and many other products! This is where locals meet and share the latest news! The square is triangular, slightly in descent. It is bordered on the sides by arches to protect from the sun, with pretty craft shops, great cold cuts and grocery stores with the famous Tuscan hams and local cheeses, and of course some restaurants! At the top of the square is the Santa Croce church, built in the 19th century on the site of an old oratory, but which has retained some beautiful 15th century paintings. At the bottom of the square, in the widest part, a contemporary statue has been installed in front of the town hall. In the middle of the square, stands the statue of Giovanni Verrazzano, a navigator born in Greve in Chianti in 1485, the first European to explore the Atlantic coast of the United States and Canada, and to enter the Hudson Bay. The bridge between Brooklyn and Staten Island in New York is named after him.

Chianti Classico vineyards Panzano in Chianti/Greve In Chianti

Greve in Chianti is one of the cities that have joined the “cittaslow” movement, a network of cities that respect tradition, authenticity of products and good food … It is the host of many festivals and events and in particular in April a large flea market , in May the festival of flowers, in July the Daniel Ferro Vocal Program, in September the Wine Festival … Greve in Chianti is one of the 9 municipalities on which the “Chianti Classico” which can carry the famous logo of the “Black Rooster” is produced.

And all around Greve in Chianti, you find unique landscapes, with magnificent views on the Tuscan hills, on vineyards, and on medieval hamlets
The small village of Panzano in Chianti is located on the territory of the municipality of Greve, where Villa le Barone, is located. Life is good at Villa le Barone, in the Chianti hills, and we serve traditional “slow food”!

The Stibbert museum in Florence

Banquet in the 19th century Exhibition Stibbert museum Florence Italy

The Stibbert Museum in Florence has to be visited, with its unique and extraordinary collection of armors and weapons from the 15th to the 19th century. A temporary exhibition on banquets, from the Renaissance to the 20th century is currently on display. A stay in the Palazzo Larderel Via Tornabuoni in Florence is the ideal occasion to make this exceptional visit.

The Stibbert Museum in Florence has been created in the late 19th century by Frédérick Stibbert, an Anglo Italian collector of European and Japanese armors and weapons. You can also visit his apartment, as it was in the 19th century, with its furniture, its paintings, its tableware … And of course, his collection , so original , of armors and weapons: caparisoned horses, cuirasses, helmets, shields, swords… One can even admire the exceptional costume worn by Napoleon at his coronation as King of Italy in Milan in 1805: a green attire, with beautiful embroidered patterns palms, laurels and bees, ears of wheat, oak leaves … The pair of shoes worn by Napoleon during this ceremony is also presented.

Banquet in the 17th century Stibbert museum Florence Italy

Currently, the Stibbert Museum presents a temporary exhibition on “banquets”, from the Renaissance until the 20th century, « Conviti e Banchetti ».Since the Renaissance, to celebrate special occasions such as victories, weddings, or other exceptional events, the best architects and artists were called to prepare the decor of those sumptuous feasts. The Italian princely families called upon all their talents to create decorations that we can still admire in certain paintings of the Renaissance. The artists were always competing with new types of dishes and tableware, while the cooks were racing with the sculptors to prepare meals and dishes with wonderful appearance!

And, after this fascinating visit of the museum, you can go for a walk in the romantic English garden, with its temples, fountains, caves, and return to the Palazzo Larderel to relax on the terrace.