3 experiences to have in the Chianti area

Green hills covered in vineyards and olive groves, small medieval villages dotting the countryside between Florence and Siena: Chianti has always been the land of good living.

Beloved for its landscapes and flavours, this land also offers many opportunities in terms of nature and art.

Here are three experiences not to be missed when visiting Chianti:

Walking or cycling between history and nature
There are numerous paths and roads that criss-cross the entire Chianti territory and that can be travelled on foot or by bicycle. It is no coincidence that one of the characteristics of this land is the network of 'strade bianche' (dirt roads), ideal for those who like to move at a slow pace.

The main route that crosses the entire territory is the Via Romea Sanese, an ancient road that already connected Florence to Siena in the Middle Ages. The route is divided into four stages, passing through San Casciano Val di Pesa, Barberino Tavarnelle and Castellina in Chianti. Travelling along it, you can breathe in history, in places such as Sant'Andrea in Percussina, where Niccolò Machiavelli composed 'The Prince', the splendid Badia a Passignano, the Montecalvario Tumulus or the medieval fortress of Castellina in Chianti.

If, on the other hand, you are looking for shorter itineraries, choose the Chianti Classico Hiking Network: 36 itineraries, 6 for each municipality, allowing you to explore the whole of the Chianti region, including art, history and nature.

Finally, if you love cycling, don't miss the routes of the Sweet Road - Terre del Benessere, in Castelnuovo Berardenga, also equipped for e-bikes.

Follow the paths dedicated to modern and contemporary art 
Not everyone knows that Chianti is a land of modern and contemporary art. In fact, there are numerous artists of national and international renown who have left traces of their passage in these places, creating real itineraries to follow.

Prominent among them is Greve in Chianti with the Slow Road project, an itinerary in five stages, characterised by installations that combine classical and modern art. The village of Greve itself is animated by the presence of numerous works of modern and contemporary art, located between the historical centre and the suburbs, in a true artistic journey.

In Castelnuovo Berardenga instead, don't miss the Parco Sculture del Chianti: an area of about 1 km of forest, dotted with 32 installations and sculptures created in perfect harmony with the landscape by artists from all over the world. To complete the visit, there are also works from the nearby village of Pievasciata.

Savour Chianti with wine and extra virgin olive oil tastings
One cannot think of Chianti without imagining sipping a glass of Sangiovese wine.
This is the home of Chianti Classico. There are numerous wineries, small or large, that produce this wine, following strict specifications. Many organise tours and tastings: real taste journeys that allow you to discover the methods of harvesting and processing the grapes and producing Chianti wine.

These lands are also renowned for the production of extra virgin olive oil: all Chianti municipalities are members of the Association of the Oil Cities and every year in spring and autumn they organise initiatives during which the doors of the producers are opened to discover the secrets of Chianti extra virgin olive oil.