This is the first stage of the four in which we toured Tuscany by car. From Florence to Pisa, passing through the regions of El Chianti, Val d'Orcia, Maremma ... In an incredible roadtrip through one of the most beautiful regions of Italy. This first stage took us from Florence to San Gimignano, the Medieval Manhattan
The main concern was: how are we going to leave the center of Florence? I fixed that we get lost, that we get in the forbidden direction or that we directly fall into the Arno following the instructions of the navigator (that for something directs you to the water ... that he wants to sail! ... God who jokes worse). But the thing was not traumatic and as soon as we rode in our Fiat Punto Blanco (with a little motorhome and shitty, we didn't even find a name this time, tss!), In a few minutes we were already enjoying our first stop : the re-encounter with Piazzale Michelangelo. After a quick 'arrivederci' to the panorama of Florence we started ... now the adventure began.
objective: get to San Gimignano.
Ingredients: a bland car, a camera and a lot of improvisation. Oh, and the best copilot-dj in the world (I accept reservations to play shit music and make your road trip unforgettable).
We had read that the Via Chiantigiana (SR22 = Strada Regionale 22) It was one of those panoramic roads that are pleasant to travel, full of fields, vineyards and views where you begin to understand that Tuscany, indeed, is much more than Florence. We flipped with everything: "Look how nice that house is!" , "Can you imagine a housesitting here?", "Alaaaa looks at that field full of flowers", "cabroooon! Turn on the flasher! ” (Already, it is that the Italians drive like the ass, sorry).
Tour thevia Chiantigiana It is the best way to capture the essence of one of the most beautiful regions in all of Italy: Chianti. Thanks to this winding road, which connects Florence and Siena, we were able to discover some of the jewels of Chianti, although we missed what many people come to look for here: wine. If we are more than beer, what are we going to do ...
About 30 kilometers from Florence is the heart of Chianti: Greve in Chianti. Here you can stroll through the alleys of the historic center, visit the Church of Santa Croce and enjoy the wine museum. Greve is the largest town in Chianti (eye, it has 14.ooo inhabitants, don't think it's a megalopolis, eh?), But we wanted something more rural.
So we went to Montefioralle, one of the oldest corners of Tuscany, where there is also a very beautiful medieval castle. It was a discovery, walking the two alone through its cobbled streets was a real pleasure and, given the stumbling pictures we took, we can say that it is one of the most photogenic corners of Tuscany.
Montefioralle is located just 2 km from Greve on a narrow and winding road, so it is an essential stop if your route passes here ... yes, better to arrive by car because my mother you are riding!
The belly began to demand attention, but we decided to continue with our route through the Chianti: the landscapes fed our soul and this was enough for now. Lie, what happens is that in Montefioralle we did not find any place that caught our attention (read: we did not find any place that seemed cheap enough).
Then we go throughPanzano in Chianti, which in the past was one of the most important strategic points in this region. As a witness is its beautiful castle, from where you get stunning views of the town and the surrounding countryside. As a curiosity, tell that here is a butcher shop (Antica Macelleria Cecchini) where the fiorentina (the typical Tuscan steak) reciting the verses of Dante's Divine Comedy.
We also pass by Radda in Chianti, another medieval citadel that maintains the ancient walls and offers a very pleasant visit.
Where we decided to stop to eat (we could not take hunger anymore) was in Castellina in Chianti. And we are right: this delicious corner of Chianti has an Etruscan origin and is located on the top of a hill, surrounded by imposing walls. We will remember Castellina for the beautiful Chiesa di San Salvatore… ok, who do we want to fool? We will remember her for this:
I mean pappardele with wild boar ragu and stewed beef ... The church was not bad either ...
After lunch we decided to start the route again to the main stop of the day: San Gimignano, which many know as medieval Manhattan. The reason? Its towers
San Gimignano has been the perfect culmination of our first day of road trip through Tuscany. The city is one of those that conquer you at the first glance, thanks to its countless wonderfully rural and quiet corners, such as the Plaza de la Cisterna, the heart of the city, where there is also the gelateria di Piazza, which makes one of the best Ice creams of the world.
But to talk about San Gimignano is to talk about their 14 towers They are still standing. Formerly they came to exist until 72, and it seems that the nobles of this city gave them the madness of starting to build horizontally to demonstrate their power to the rest of the neighbors.
At night, when the hordes of tourists have returned to Florence, the atmosphere changes completely. The atmosphere is much more relaxing, in the square you only hear the conversation of a handful of couples having dinner and the melody of the violin of a street musician. And then the feeling of being in another era invades you. The truth is that it was a great luxury to be able to sleep in San Gimignano.
The 'Chianti' chapter was already running out. We run out of wine, yes, but we fully enjoy everything else: olive groves and vineyards, medieval walled villages, churches that dot its sweet and gentle hills. And of course ... a delicious cuisine. San Gimignano was the finishing touch to a perfect day and best of all, the trip was just beginning and Tuscany had already fallen in love with us.
Useful information
:: Sites through which the route passes
Florence, Greve in Chianti, Montefioralle, Panzano In Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti, San Gimignano.
:: Kilometres: 115 km approximately.
:: How to get to Chianti?
The Chianti is easily reached from Florence, although if you do not want to rent a car you can sign up for one of the many tours that will take you to discover this interesting region.
Getting to Florence is easy as there are flights to Tuscany from virtually every side of Spain and Europe. Check out the best deals.
:: Where to eat?
We ate at 'Chianti Bar'by Castellina in Chianti. We stayed on the terrace and tried pappardele with wild boar ragout (€ 8) and pepato (€ 10), a very tasty beef stew. To drink sparkling water (€ 0.50 each glass). Everything was good although we recommend you, since you are in Chianti, go to eat at some agriturismo in the area.
In San Gimignano you should try the gelateria ice cream in Piazza or also called Dondoli (€ 2.50 the cone of two flavors and add the cream for free).
For dinner we caught a prosciutto pizza at Ricca Pizza (€ 5), on the main street of San Gimignano and it was indeed very, very, very rich!
:: Where to park for free in San Gimignano?
There are 4paid parking around the walled city, which has limited traffic (do not think of entering!): P1 and P2 in the southern part, and P3 and P4 in the northern part. The P1 is the cheapest and largest (€ 1.50 per hour and a maximum of € 6 per day, the others cost € 2 per hour and € 15 and € 20 per day. From the parking lots there are urban buses that go up to the city for € 0.75 the ticket or € 1.50 the day pass.
Although after several laps we foundfree parking and near the city. Entering from the south, follow SP1 to the north, leaving San Gimignano on the right. The Porta San Matteo is passed and after a sharp turn to the left (according to Google Maps is where Vía Dante begins), on the right bank there is room for about 15 cars (if you are lucky here you can find), this is about 200 meters of the ancient city. If you do not mind walking and you do not find a place here you can continue until the first crossing to the right, direction Ulignano and on that road (SP127) there are almost certain places. Of course, you will have to walk a little more and uphill, but you save money!
:: Where to sleep in San Gimignano?
We spent the night in the beautiful city of San Gimignano, totally recommended. We stayed at Fattoria Gucciardini, in the historic center of the city.
:: Other articles on the Road Trip through Tuscany
- Day 2: Siena and Val d'Orcia
- Day 3: Val d'Orcia and Maremma
- Day 4: Termas, Volterra and Pisa
