Chianti and S.Gimignano hillside
The tour starts with wine/oil tastings while visiting Verrazzano castle, an impressive construction of the Renaissance surrounding an XI century tower. The castle owns an hystorical cellar which is still keeping wine. Tradition says that its name comes from latis "Verres" that means head-boar so Verrazzano stands for "land of wild boars". As matter of fact you can find lots of breedings in the nearby forests. The tour goes on stopping briefly at the Dario Cecchini butcher's shop in Panzano in Chianti; here you will delight yourselves with beautiful food and good wine.
Next stop is San Gimignano: it is located on an hill 334m above sea level and dominates all the valley (Val d'Elsa). It is an extraordinary example of a medioeval town that has remained intact in terms of town planning and buildings. On May 8th 1300 San Gimignano gave hospitality to the poet Dante Alighieri who was the ambassador of the tuscan "lega Guelfa". But most of all the town in famous for its sixteen medioeval towers which stand over the landscape. This is the reason why San Gimignano is known as the "Medioeval Manhattan". Also, this amazing town has been declared a worldwide cultural and natural patrimony by UNESCO.
You must visit it!
San Gimignano is also famous for its "Vernaccia"a very special withe wine to be tasted and appreciated at the farm nestled in the hills "Guardastelle"ovelooking the country.
In San Gimignano you can visit:
IL DUOMOLA CHIESA DI SANT'AGOSTINOIL PALAZZO COMUNALELA PIAZZA DELLA CISTERNALA TORRE DEL PODESTA'
h.8.30 a.m Leaving from Lucca
h.10.00 Arrival in Greve in Chianti
guided visit to "Verrazzano castle" wine tasting in its wine cellars and visit to the mill with tasting oil
h.12.00 Leaving to Greve in Chianti towers Panzano in Chianti lunch at the famous "butcher's" shop Dario Cecchini
h.14.00 leaving to Panzano in Chianti
h.15.00 Arrival in San Gimignano visit to famous old town and towers
h.17.00 Vernaccia di San gimignano wine tasting at the wine cellars of the "Guardastelle Farm"
h.18.30 end of the tour and return.
COMPLETE LIST