Chianti, Italy
Casa Di Simonetta
THINGS WE LOVE TO DO AT 60 ADINE, GAIOLE
Staying at home
Watering plants, greeting neighbours, talking to our olive trees.
Lounging on the terrazzo drinking Camparis especially at sunset.
Cooking Italian food after shopping in Lecchi or one of the markets.
Running or walking to San Polo or Castello di Ama.
Early morning rise and early night rest.
Markets
The Greve and Castellina markets take place on a Saturday morning. The Panzano market on a Sunday morning. Porchetta paninis are a fabulous breakfast or lunch, ask for extra crackling.
Siena is of course famous for its Wednesday market, everything except food. The Seafood truck comes to Radda on a Friday morning.
Arezzo has an unbelievable antique market on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month. The entire historic center is filled with collectables. Have had delicious and different traditional food at Trattoria, Il Saraceno on Via Mazzini just off main piazza. (0575 27644).
Cities
Firenze we strongly recommend a day trip to Florence. Get going early to beat the crowds and view the Duomo without anybody else. The tram starts running at 05h00. Paperback Exchange is a lovely English bookshop. Gilli is a lovely but pricey coffee place, and Osteria in Buongustai is a great food stop for lunch but be early as it is very popular. They don’t take credit cards. (055 291 304)
Siena is our favorite city. We park at San Francesco and take the escalators up to the centro. Head for Lecchi drive through Lecchi, right to Pianella and left at Pianella after the bridge. Twenty five minutes to get to Siena in total. Nanninis is a famous bakery and coffee shop. Check Siena shopping hours for your time of year.
Villages
Lecchi is three kms away. The Palmyra family run the grocery store (if you can’t see what you’re looking for, ask, they have almost everything) and the Enoteca which has lovely coffee, breakfasts, lunch and a fantastic wine selection.
Montefioralle is a walled city just above Greve, it has a few restaurants and is worth a visit if you have done everything else.
Restaurants
Osteria Le Panzanella, Lucarelli, is our absolute favorite. Great food at reasonable prices. You should book ahead in season time. (0577 733511)
Volpaia is lovely for dining with a view but can be a bit touristy. Call a day ahead to book a table on the edge with best views.
We love the Greve restaurant almost opposite, but just before, the TIM shop. Down the street off Piazza Matteoti alongside Intesa bank.
Vagliagli is very well rated for food. We have only eaten there once. It is pricey so would be a special treat.
Casa Nuovo di Ama is in walking distance. It is a lovely agriturismo (E30 pp food and wines), only open with bookings. (0577 746119)
Il Papavero is an osteria, recommended by chef and foody friends, in Barbischio just before Gaiole, we have not tried it yet. (0577 749063)
Wineries
We lived at Caparsa always for twenty years of visiting. They have a shop in Radda and you can visit the farm by appointment. Paolo and Giana are the nicest Italians.
Their Chianti Classic is phenomenal.
Cantalici’s Petali Rosato is one of our favorites. We visited the winery and had a lovely tour and tasting. The historic mill is countered with contemporary fittings and art. Head for Gaiole, just before Gaiole take a right turn to Rietine. Drive all the way up until you find Cantalici on your left.
Radda and Gaiole are red wine areas. For whites we drink San Gimignano and Sardegna Vermentino.
Vignamaggio is Koos Bekker’s Tuscan winery, we have only driven past. Your turn right towards Lamole, just before Greve.
Hiking
You can walk anywhere as long as you do not cross any fences and signs that say Private/No Entry. A couple of Radda hiking loops are written up in your apartment. Martino Danielli is a biodiversity expert and activist, who chairs the region’s WWF. We use Martino for off the beaten track natural world hikes. E100/half day, E160/full day (331 853 6057)
Cycling
We have not yet entered the Toscana world of cycling. Adine is in the heart of cycling country. The company GAMBA in Lecchi seems to rule the cycling roads. Ask at Radda Tourism
Drives
The drive from Greve to Lamole and over to Radda is lovely. You drive past Vignamaggio.
When you leave Siena for home, very soon you will find a left turn to Vagliagli. This is a lovely alternative way home to Adine.
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Looking for an amazing trail or country accommodation outside Cape Town or Chianti, Italy?
The farmhouse is cool in summer, offers blockout shutters for late mornings or afternoon naps, Granny goose linen, terraces for alfresco dining, and is surrounded by walks, other villages and food markets in every direction.
