The Chianti. Famous for its rolling green hills, typical Italian towns but most of all its wine. One of those places that, if you are a wine lover, you cannot miss. Then why not take a day during your stay in Tuscany to explore it in the most Italian way possible?
Grab a fancy sundress, a linen shirt and some sunglasses and get ready to ride a Vespa through the winding country roads!
There are a few places in Florence where you can rent a Vespa. Prices for a day rental with helmet and insurance can range from 50 euros to 100 euros, depending on the season.
To rent one you will need a valid drivers license and, in most places, a credit card.
Here are a few rentals in Florence I would recommend:
• Florence Station Rental – prices range from 35 euros to 70 euros per day and include a helmet and insurance.
• The Vespa Rent – prices range from 65 euros to 80 euros per day. Includes helmet, insurance, unlimited milage and luggage storage.
• Vespa Hangar – daily rates are 90 euros for Vespas.
Most rentals open around 9 a.m. and I highly recommend going as early as you can both to ensure they still have Vespas available and to fully enjoy the day as the Chianti roads – as beautiful as they are – aren’t illuminated very well.
Stretch One: Florence to Greve in Chianti – 1:15 hours
Let’s start your adventure! The first leg of the trip is perhaps the longest one but once you leave the city you will be submerged right away in the beauty of the “Chiantigiana” the main road that runs through the whole Chianti region. Your destination, Greve, is the largest and probably most famous town in Chianti and it’s the perfect place to have a late breakfast with a Caffè and Cornetto in the main square, Piazza Matteotti.”
Stretch Two: Greve in Chianti to Montefioralle – 10 minutes
Towering on a hill above Greve is the medieval town of Montefioralle, home to only a few hundred people. This medieval “borgo” (hamlet) is one of the most charming little towns in the area and it’s worth a quick stop to visit its narrow alleys and the breathtaking view of the valley below.
Stretch Three: Montefioralle to Castellina in Chianti – 40 min
Leaving Montefioralle you will head down the hills through olive groves and cypress lined roads to make your way to Castellina in Chianti where you will be able to walk along the medieval walls or even under them by following the splendid Via delle Volte (Way of Archways).
Stretch Four: Castellina to Radda in Chianti – 25min
A short ride from Castellina you will find the quiet town of Radda in Chianti. This is the perfect place for a longer break after a morning on the road and what better way to rest a bit than enjoying some wine tasting and a lunch? Close to Radda you can find two splendid medieval castles which offer a tour of their wineries and wine tasting lunches. Castello diVolpaia and Castello di Albola are only a 10-minute drive from Radda and you will discover how the famous Chianti wine is made and what it truly tastes like!
Stretch Five: Radda to Panzano in Chianti – 35 min
The last leg of your trip leads you through the Conca d’oro which is the heart of the Chianti region. Why not enjoy it by having a nice glass of wine and a charcuterie board with some cheese and cured meats while enjoying the view of the vineyards?
If you feel like having a meal and you are a meat lover, you cannot miss the Antica Macelleria Cecchini, a traditional butcher-turned-restaurant where you can pair a Chianti Classico with none other than a renowned Bistecca alla Fiorentina, the most prized steak in Italy.
Return to Florence – 1 hour
After a long day driving, drinking and eating in the countryside, it is time to head back to Florence and leave your trusted Vespa. If you still feel like making a little detour, it’s always fun to stop by Piazzale Michelangelo as you re-enter the city to enjoy the whole city as seen
from above.
Tips:
Take care while driving back into Florence not to drive in the bus lanes or the Limited Traffic
Zone to avoid any nasty fines!
Remember to leave your Vespa as instructed by the rental firm.
Ffinally you can go back to your accommodation for a well earnt night’s sleep dreaming of the rolling hills.
–––––––––––
See more about Italy here in Dispatches’ archives.
Marco Messina
Brought up in Sicily by an Italian father and an English mother, Marco was fortunate enough to experience the best of both worlds. After having studied classics in high school where he became familiar with the likes of Dante, Pirandello and Byron, he moved to Berlin to study Music and Business. It was in between lectures that he began writing consistently, especially enjoying penning short stories and flash fiction and decided to take a Masters in Children’s Literature. His work has been feature in the Half and One magazine and been part of many competitions throughout the years. Marco has traveled and lived all over Italy, getting to know every little secret of his
beloved country.
You can find his work on Instagram @mmessinawrites
