Villa Casanova is a 15th century stone tower, 3 stories high, with 5 bedrooms, each lovingly decorated with Italian linens, and 5 bathrooms, each with its own shower or bath.
The house is warmly furnished with a mix of traditional Tuscan antiques and overstuffed couches and chairs that complement the stone and richly colored stucco walls. The kitchen is fully equipped with range, refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, and pots and pans that even the most discriminating cooks will enjoy using.
Outside, a large terrace extends the length of the villa, perfect for dining al fresco. Fresh herbs border the stone patio and a wood-burning grill is built into the surrounding wall.
About the Chianti Region: The Chianti Region is a wine-lovers paradise, situated in the rolling hills between Florence and Siena. The region is most well known for the famed Chianti Classico wine, but is also a producer to many other red variants like Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Carmignano (together with other grapes), Morellino di Scansano, etc., while Brunello di Montalcino is based on a variant called sangiovese grosso. There are also new wines, based on sangiovese and some popular French grapes that are usually dubbed 'Super Tuscans'.
Exploring Tuscany: The Chianti Region can be an excellent base from which to explore Tuscany as whole, without having to stay in the busier, often crowded bigger towns. Furthermore, the region offers some of the best gastronomy and wines in Italy, making it an invaluable treasure for those who are interested in exploring the rich eno-gastronomic culture of Tuscany. Not to mention the peaceful beauty of the rolling hills, that evolve in color throughout the various seasons.
Apart from the charming small Chianti towns (Gaiole, Greve, Radda, Castellina) all within 5-10 minutes drive, we highly recommend visiting the following Tuscan cities in the surrounding areas, all of which can be easily reached by car:
- Siena - 25 minutes
- San Gimignano - 30 minutes
- Florence - 45 minutes
- Radda in Chianti - 10 minutes
- Lecchi - 5 minutes
- Cortona - 75 minutes
- Piensa - 80 minutes
- Montalcino - 80 minutes
- Lucca - 90 minutes
- Pisa - 90 minutes
It's also possible to make a day-trip to Rome, which is just a 2.5 - 3 hour drive.
Arriving & Getting Around: From abroad, usually the best way to reach Chianti is to fly to a major airport in Tuscany, such as the Pisa or Florence airport. It is also possible to arrive to Rome, although the drive will be slightly longer. From there on there are several alternatives to get to Chianti: rental car, bus, taxi, etc. Alternatively, from Central Europe one might want to take a train to Florence and continue by bus to Chianti.
Chianti and the whole Tuscany Region is easiest to explore with a car. There is much to see so a car will provide freedom to explore, plus the area is so scenic that the drives themselves become an enjoyable activity.
Car rental services are abundant at all airports and in major cities (Florence, Siena, Rome, Pisa). The most important road to know is the Chiantigiana from Florence to Siena, as it penetrates the heart of the Chianti region.
