Enchanting Day In The Chianti Countryside

Enchanting Day In The Chianti Countryside Photo #1 of 2 Photo copyright ShoreTrips.com.

Overview

Located in the heart of Tuscany, the Chianti region is overflowing with rustic charm.

Begin your exploration of the Tuscany region by taking in the historical architecture, quaint villages, and beautiful landscapes of this magnificent part of the world.

If you're dreaming of a day winding through the picturesque Chianti hills and enjoying some of the sweetest villages Tuscany has to offer, this excursion is for you!

During the beginning portion of your tour, you'll find yourself driving on the Chianti Wine Road amidst the lush, rolling countryside, artfully etched with vineyards, orchards, farmhouses, and cypress trees.

The villages on our itinerary will give you an array of architectural eye-candy and a glimpse into Italy’s past, covering the gamut from the Etruscans to the Romans to the Medieval.

We'll begin by visiting Badia a Passignano, noted for its abbey built by Vallumbrosan monks in the 11th century, and Montefioralle, a Medieval borgo deemed “one of the most beautiful hamlets in Italy.”

Our morning concludes with a stop in the capital of the region, Greve in Chianti, with its lovely porticoes and an array of interesting shops and boutiques. History buffs will note the monument to Giovanni da Verrazzano, the explorer of the Atlantic coast of North America who discovered, among other things, the Hudson River.

If time permits, we'll visit Volpaia, with its impeccably restored and maintained vernacular architecture of early Tuscany.

For lunch, we recommend Ristoro di Lamole, where the service, food, and view are all spectacular. For more information on the restaurant, please visit www.ristorodilamole.it.

- Your English-speaking driver will not enter sites with you, but will give running commentaries of what you are seeing and make sure you have enough time to visit each site.
- Volpaia can be inserted between San Leolino and lunch if you are ahead of schedule and don't mind eating a later lunch

- Modest dress is required in all Italian churches. If you expect to enter a church during your tour, please do not wear shorts, sleeveless tops, skirts above the knee, or revealing clothing If preferred, you may wear a shawl to cover your shoulders. This applies to children as well.
- We have found that there may be a rare occurrence of a port change from Livorno to La Spezia. La Spezia is accessible to the same sightseeing as Livorno, but is a slightly longer ride. This port requires an increase in cost as the distance from these highlights is further. Your guide will be waiting for you as you disembark. You may have an adjustment to your tour itinerary depending on your exit time, but be assured that your knowledgeable driver/escort will direct you to a satisfying day. This change is an exception to our policy that ship changes will result in a refund. People have been too disappointed sitting on the ship after this itinerary change and we feel this is in the best interest of the traveler. The additional costs are as follows: to Cinque Terre add $75; to Florence and Pisa, and Pisa and Lucca the additional charge is $265. We apologize for your difficult day, but promise that the sun will shine as soon as you meet your guide.
- Please note that the drive to get to the first stop in Chianti is approximately 1.5 hours. Once the tour has concluded, the drive to get back to the port is approximately 2 hours. The drive time is factored into the tour duration.

Days offered: 7 days a week

Departures:

• 08:00 AM, duration: 9 hours
• 09:30 AM, duration: 9 hours Only for ships that arrive at 9am.