Chianti is a land unique in the world thanks to its variety of landscapes and views. It is wonderful to enter this magical atmosphere, made of vineyards and olive trees, instead of having a rapid glance from the car windows. Chianti is not just a beautiful postcard it is also smells, fresh air to breathe and the sounds of Nature Thus; the best way to visit it is leaving the car aside, at least for a short time. Let’s start from the greenest transportation: The bicycle
In Greve in Chianti 800 m far from the town centre, there is a bike mender renting out bicycles for few hours too (Ramuzzi, Via Stecchi 23, tel. +39055.853.037). Here you can get all the info you need and you can also choose the itinerary more convenient to you. We also suggest the itineraries listed in the web site (www.ramuzzi.com). If you look for a route, short but very challenging, that starts from Greve; we suggest you the 27 km itinerary, reported in the guide Toscana in bici, published by Istituto Geografico De Agostini. For other itinerary, we suggest the booklet Terradisiena in bici available in every tourist office of Siena’s County.
From Greve’s main square, take road 222 towards the local cemetery. That road becomes rugged among olive trees and vineyard. Reached Pian della Canonica go ahead towards Montedomini. At the first cross- road, turn right to Monte San Michele, where you can find the old restaurant of San Michele. This place is perfect to rest because of the wonderful view and to revive you with good food. After a winding path inside the wood, you can proceed towards Panzano in Chianti on a rapid and rocky slope. At Panzano, get the main surfaced road towards Mercatale/San Casciano until the cross-road in località La Torre, where you can stop and admire the magnificent medieval tower. There is a cross-road at km 24 where you have to turn right towards Pian di Campaggi where you get to a brook. Your last effort, really worth doing is climbing up to the charming walled village of Montefioralle. Then you can be back to Greve following a rapid downhill on a surfaced road.
Although we are getting less and less accustomed to walking, we can easily find the pleasure of hiking following many different routes. An easy itinerary from Greve in Chianti is going from the main square to Montefioralle, one of the most charming Italian medieval villages, where you can visit San Cresci’s Romanesque church that dates back to beginning of XII century. This itinerary, going along olive trees, vineyards and cypresses takes 2 hours and a half and it is pretty easy. Along the road it is possible to taste good Chianti wine having a snack at fattoria della Villa di Zano.
Riding a horse is a very relaxing way of getting in touch with Nature without any technological equipment, experiencing local sounds and feelings. It is a different way to spend your holiday respecting Nature. Not far from Greve you can find Il Ranch a good point to start visiting these outskirts. Visitors can also experience a safe but exciting tour on horse-back, with the support of the proof managers of the riding school. It is possible to choose one or more day trekking or just riding in those wonderful surroundings. If you love horses and good food, Il Ranch offers also gourmet itineraries (for further information www.maneggioilranch.com).
The Associazione Aerostatica Toscana offers the most unusual way to admire Chianti that is a trip on air balloon. If you think that coloured balloons, renewed by Jules Verne's novel Around the World in Eighty Days, are the best way to enter the landscape (well, if you don’t suffer from dizziness), you can make a reservation, to have your head in the clouds, on the website www.balloonintuscany.com.
But also cocktail bar, because in addition to wine, however good it may be, there is more
