Il Gelso

• Closest village Panzano in Chianti with shops, restaurants and bank 15 minutes drive, 10 km
• Closest commercial and private airport Florence 40 km – 50 minute’s drive
• Cantinetta di Rignana restaurant 4 minutes walking
• Badia a Passignano 4 km – 10 minute’s drive
• Greve in Chianti 8 km – 20 minute’s drive
• Castellina in Chianti 20 km – 30 minutes drive
• Florence 40 km – 50 minutes drive
• San Gimignano 40 km – 50 minutes drive
• Siena 60 km- 1 hour drive
• Pisa 90 km – 1 hour and half drive
• Lucca 100 km – 1 hour and half drive
• Rome 300 km – 3 hours and half drive

• Badia a Passignano with its Abbey dated 395 A.C. and where one of the most famous Chiantis, the “Badia a
Passignano Chianti Classico Riserva D.O.C.G.”by the Antinory family is produced. Wine tour in the cellars of the
ancient Abbey can be organised.
• The Chianti area: Famous for its wines – the Chianti Classico – this area of Tuscany has more than just world-class
oenological pleasures to offer. The curious visitor will come accross many delightful villages, each of them with a
history of its own. Let us simply mention lesser known gems such as the romanesque church of Sant’Appiano, the
Basilica of Impruneta, the fortified castle of Monteriggioni and the roofless romanesque abbey of San Galgano which
are all close. And don’t miss the Saturday market in the small town of Greve.
• Siena: The Sienese have no doubt, their town is the most beautiful in all of Tuscany, if not all of Italy. Siena has
remained a Gothic city. Renaissance, one of the major influences in Florence, hardly affected the urban development
of Siena. The city unfolds around the main shell-shaped square called “Il Campo.” Twice a year the famous horse race known as the “Palio” takes place here. The narrow streets are lined with old shops and small cafes, while churches and museums are real treasures of the fourteenth century.
• Florence: The city lies on the Arno River and is known for its history and its importance in the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance, especially for its art and architecture. A centre of medieval European trade and finance, the city is often considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance; in fact, it has been called the Athens of the Middle Ages.[2] It was long under the de facto rule of the Medici family. From 1865 to 1870 the city was also the capital of the Kingdom of Italy. The historic centre of Florence continues to attract millions of tourists each year and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982.
• San Gimignano is a small walled medieval hill town in the province of Siena, Tuscany, north-central Italy. It is mainly
famous for its medieval architecture, especially its towers, which may be seen from several kilometers outside the
town. The town also is known for the white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, grown in the area.
• The village of Montalcino, home to the famous Brunello di Montalcino stands hilltop covered almost entirely with
vineyards and at its centre signature examples of Medieval architecture: the Palazzo dei Priori and the wonderful
Rocca fortress, built circa XIV century. Nine kilometres to the south of Montalcino, in a timeless rural landscape
surrounded by yet more Brunello vineyards, can be found the Abbey of Sant’Antimo.
• Restaurants: eating out is a way of getting to know the area. Simple local trattorias rub their shoulders with more
sophisticated restaurants specialised in refined cuisine. Fresh local produce allways plays the leading role. You will
find a list of our favourites in the villas.
• Local craftsmanship: hand-made terracotta pots from Impruneta, hand painted pottery from Montelupo,
mouth-blown crystal glass from the neighbouring village Colle Val d’Elsa, not to mention the south bank of the Arno
river in Florence where you will find a multitude of craftsmen working silver, leather, wood, glass, paper and metal.