Archive for 'Chianti'

Chianti Cashmere Goat Farm, as mentioned in the last article, is a small farm in the Chianti region of Tuscany that was established in 1972 by Nora Kravis. From there it has gone on to become a model for sustainable farming and small business and has Europe-wide renown. It is also a wonderful place to spend a day learning about sustainable farming, petting the goats, shopping incredible quality garments and enjoying rural Tuscan living. Once you have a luxury villa in Florence or a villa with pool in Siena, why not take a break from urban pursuits and pay a visit to this fascinating farm for yourself?

In the last post, we mentioned the history of the farm and how it got to where it is today but we didn't have the space to extrapolate on the experience of visiting the farm itself! Visits can be readily organised and one of the major attractions is the farm shop and its beautiful garments.

Chianti Cashmere Goat Farm is a small, private farm located halfway between Florence and Siena, just outside of a town called Radda in the Chianti region of Tuscany. It makes for the perfect place to spend a day learning about sustainable farming, petting the goats, shopping incredible quality garments and enjoying rural Tuscan living. So, whether you find a luxury villa in Florence or a villa with pool in Siena, make sure to set aside time to take a break from urban pursuits and pay a visit to this beautiful and fascinating farm for yourself.

The origins of the farm date back to 1972, when Nora Kravis left Long Island, New York and made her way to Italy, where she bought an old Tuscan farmhouse and set about building a new life. A tiny, dilapidated stone farmhouse nestled into the side of the Volpaia valley with an incredible view across endless rolling hills, vineyards, pastures, olive trees and woods.

Located between Florence and Siena, in the Chianti region of Tuscany is Montefioralle, one of the oldest towns in the area and one of the most incredibly beautiful villages in Italy.

Still enclosed by its medieval defensive walls, the first records of the city go back to 1085. It flourished throughout the Middle Ages as an administrative centre and fortified outpost and, as a result, still largely reflects this period in its appearance. The houses are made of stone and little streets wind throughout the town to a charming effect. It is an exceptionally pretty and characteristic place that is the perfect spot to escape from your own daily realities and get a slice of rural Tuscan life.

Just before you reach the town of Greve in Chianti in Florence, take the first road on the right that heads up a hill, which boasts views across the beautiful landscape below.

You may or may not know this but Tuscany is actually home to quite a number of naturally occurring hot springs. If you are interested in spas and relaxation, it is an excellent holiday destination and, best of all, some of these hot springs are free and open readily to the public, making Tuscany also a rather affordable spa destination. They can be visited without purchasing a ticket or planning in advance, whenever you want throughout the day (or night) or year. We have been talking about these incredible destinations in this series this week and have compiled a list of some of the best of them for you to browse. In this last post, we have more of our picks of excellent and free hot springs around the region.

Tuscany is a beauty and there is lots to see and do, all across the region. In fact, it is one of the most picturesque and pretty places in the world. There is an endless list of places you could visit, things you could see and things you could do. However, some are more picture-perfect than others and, to help you narrow down the list and make it possible to fit into one trip, here are more of this author's picks of the most photogenic sights in Tuscany that you'll want to visit and then capture in a photograph forever.

9. The most photogenic beach in Tuscany?

Follonica is a coastal city that is often seen as the “Miami” of Tuscany, with a modern, busy city centre and long stretches of beautiful beaches. Torre Mozza is one of these beaches, located just 3km from the center of Follonica and is named for an ancient tower built right on the cusp of the shore.