3 Hidden Gems in the Chianti Countryside

My husband and I couldn’t wait for our two week-long vacation to Tuscany with our daughters. Though we booked a self-catering accommodation in the hills and away from the hustle and bustle of the major cities, almost all of our day trips revolved around the top tourist destinations in the region. We took our daughters, 2 and 3 years old at the time, to Florence and Siena as a matter of necessity.

Though there’s a reason those locations are popular, they weren’t necessarily the highlights of the trip. Instead, it was the small cities, nestled in the Tuscan countryside and the Chianti region, that were our favorites. Where were these hidden gems, and why should you make time to stop in them, too?

Castelnuovo Berardenga

This small Tuscan village was located approximately 30 minutes from our accommodation in Chianti Country. It’s nestled on a hillside, and walks to the city’s limits will afford you beautiful pictures. It was also home to a reasonably sized Co-op, which was ideal for shopping for food and wine for our stay. We happened upon the town on a market day, where we purchased fresh produce for a great price. The streets of the town were lined with shops, cafes, churches, homes, and buildings.

Heading off the beaten path, we found brick homes with the décor we’d only dreamed of seeing-wagon wheels, window flower beds, and stone buildings. It’s like stepping back in time. Castelnuovo Berardenga was the perfect destination for a few hours of walking, photography, and a stop in for a gelato at a corner café. It’s a great escape from the crowds you’ll find in major Tuscan cities.

Monteriggioni

Monteriggioni appears in all the guidebooks, but as it doesn’t offer an entire’s day worth of activity, may be one of the first places you scrap as you plan your vacation. Don’t do it. Monteriggioni is a gorgeous walled city in the Tuscan countryside, ideally located between Florence and Siena. The walls are in tact, and there are 14 towers to explore as you. Walk along the walls of the city, taking pictures of the rolling landscape below.

Inside the city walls, visit shops specializing in handmade jewelry, leatherwear, pottery, and, of course, wine. The kids will enjoy gelato while you enjoy outside dining in the piazza overlooking the city’s remaining church.

Greve

We drove through Greve almost daily as we explored Tuscany and headed back and forth from our accommodation to the major cities of Florence and Siena. Greve offers both modern conveniences interspersed with a great deal of history and beauty. Like Castelnuovo Berardenga, Greve offers a weekly market frequented by locals and tourists alike. Take time to walk around the city, starting in the city center’s square.

While in Greve, you won’t want to miss the Wine Museum, which offers samples from the region’s most popular wines and smaller labels alike.

If Siena and Florence are what has brought you to Tuscany, there’s so much to see, do, and experience in the Chianti region. These three, less popular destinations boast some of what makes the region so popular and picturesque, and won’t be filled with quite as many tourists, either.


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