Dario Cecchini

Some of my favorite places in the area between Florence and Siena known as Chianti. It's not just the name of the wine, but also the area which produces it. Greve is the "capital" of the area, not all the small towns and villages have town halls. Some are what's called a "borgo" a group of homes and perhaps a church. Fun to explore the small off the beaten track places as well. There are so many lovely bars and shops to have simple snacks if you don't want a large sit down meal. People watching is one of my favorite pastimes. Letting it all soak in. The 222 highway is often popular with bike riders as well and there are no bike lanes, so drive carefully, especially on the weekends. Many of the small towns have a market day once a week. Where the mall comes to you. It's always fun to visit a weekly market. More than just food! Clothing, shoes, purses, fabric, kitchen supplies and more. Often a Porchetta truck.

Tuscany is full of beautiful hidden gems, just waiting to be discovered. Rather than spending all of your time in the crowded cities, for example Florence, Siena, and San Gimignano, here is a guide to help you discover more of Tuscany's beloved spots. This guide includes the area of/surrounding Florence, Lucca, Pienza, Montepulciano, Montalcino, the coast of Livorno, Elba Island, Chianti, Panzano, Montelupo Fiorentino, Fiesole, and so much more in between, regarding what to see, eat, and do. From wine tastings, yoga in the vineyards, picnics in the hills, to petting goats, or exploring the fascinating waterfalls, there is so much to discover.

An insiders view of Siena