Quotes

”We’ve absolutely benefitted by the local information waiting for us in the GPS. This has opened many doors for us.”
Christer Asp

“The days went quickly although we travelled slowly.”
Thomas Hallberg

“The most fulfilling trip we’ve ever taken, with time to enjoy the sights, the foods and the wines.”
Björn Åsell

Nine Pearls: To see and do in Chianti

Here are examples of things to do and experience on your trip. If you choose Go Slow Travel the addresses are pre-programmed in your GPS. Get in your car, turn on the GPS and drive carefully!

Restauranger

The fertile landscape provides residents with natural ingredients for the simple and rustic cuisine that is made with unsalted bread, olive oil and tomatoes. Your GPS is ready to take you to the restaurants that offer that little extra something!

The taverna is classic style with an expansive view over to Radda in Chianti. The owner, Carla Berucci, runs the operation with a firm, warm hand. If you prefer to sit outside, make reservations, or allow us to do it for you as it is often full.

Divinely good with simple means, our third restaurant pearl in Chianti is found in a little village with just a few houses. You’ll see out towards Panzano and Castellina in Chianti. This is a family restaurant with the feel of a lodge. Try the house wine, and if you enjoy it, you can purchase some from the “Nonna /Nonno”, (grandmother/grandfather) in the courtyard behind the lodge. Very nicely priced.

Wine

Chianti DOCG is divided into seven regions. The most well known is Chianti Classico. For a wine to be called Chianti Classico it must be produced within the area between the renaissance cities of Florence to the north and the quieter Siena to the south. Between these are the villages of Greve, Panzano, Castellina, Gaiole and Radda. Along the road Chiantigiana, which takes you from Florence to Siena, you’ll see many of the most talked about wine producers. The road winds its way through stunningly beautiful scenery. Your new GPS from Go Slow Travel will lead you to the pearls that are hidden amongst the rolling green hills.

A “must”. The nobel family Mazzai has owned this village, (yes, it’s actually a small village), since the middle of the 1400s, and they have made wine there the entire time. Take your time wandering through this small village that has, literally since Roman time, been a watering hole for travellers. The wines are in many price classes and are world renown. Be sure not to miss the fantastic olive oil. If you’re ready for an excellent expresso break, there is a restaurant just across the large road/highway.

Award-winning estate, which is, contrastingly to the one above, relatively new and is run by a young vintner who is passionate about his Chianti. He invests in new cultivations, but almost exclusively with the grape that is a classic to the region, Sangiovese. He produces, amongst others, a 100% Sangiovese that has won several prizes.

Classic mini-estate in Greve in Chianti that produces everything a farm needed to in old times. You’ll find sausage and meat, but also a very good Chianti Classico. Try everything and enjoy!

Points of Interest

Tuscany holds some of the most spectacular attractions, such as Florence’s art museums, Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) and Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (Florence Cathedral) whose dome was designed by renaissance architect Filippo Brunelleschi. Siena will welcome you with a feeling of calm, due to the limiting of cars in the city centre, which is unusual in Italy. Your GPS will guide you to the best parking places. The city’s inviting square Piazza del Campo is a must.

The villages all have beautiful names. For example: Radda in Chianti is a fortified medieval village, in Greve you can visit the local wine respository The Enoteca of Greve, (it’s a bit expensive, but has many sorts), wander on the square and end up at macellerian (the butcher) to sample sausages and cheeses. San Gimignano is a scenic village up on a hill with expansive views and it is accented with 14 towers rising majestically to the heavens. This is a UNESCOs World Heritage Site.

Vignamaggio is a large estate, and vineyard. This estate, or more aptly castle, is most famous for Leonardo da Vinci having painted the “Mona Lisa” here.

The Butcher in Panzano has a burning interest in Slow Food and in the proper handling of meat. You can go in and sample what he’s set out and have a glass of red wine from the “fiascan”, the Italian straw-covered wine bottle.

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