Tuscany is an enchanting Italian region, favoured among travellers! Tuscany's rich repository of ancient hill towns scattered across beautiful landscapes, incredible art, and renowned food and wine. This truly is la dolce vita - the good life!
'Agriturismo' is a word that will be in your vocabulary once you experience its allure. The word agriturismo is a blend of agriculture and tourism. In English, an agriturismo is commonly referred to as a farm stay but it is much more than this. Agriturismo are working farms that are set up to receive guests for meals and/or overnight stays.
One thing's for sure: you won’t be going hungry in Italy.
Staying at Fattoria Santo Stefano was one of the highlights of our trip to Italy! It exudes charm and rustic appeal wrapped in a relaxing atmosphere! If you want to stay somewhere with character, charm and great people, this is the spot.
It’s off the beaten path. It’s a working farm! However, it is in good vicinity to little great towns like Greve, Volpaia, Radda, Siena and many others.
The property is gorgeous, with lovely flowers, giant bushes of rosemary, artichokes growing in the garden and a gorgeous swimming pool over looking the winery and local vegetation. I nearly cried having to leave this property.
The enduring phrase ‘la dolce vita’ – or the good life – truly captures the essence of Italy. I've spent 14 days discovering the heart of the Italian countryside and each day becomes magical that I would love to purchase a property and live here indefinitely like Diane Lane in Under The Tucson Sun.
Tuscany is known for the winery and it was something special to stay in the same place where they made their wines and olive oil. We didn't sample their wines, more like devoured bottles of it. "Drugo Chianti Classico" was our favourite along with the Chianti Classico. Santo Stefano makes great wine without the hype of other wineries which makes their products a great gem!
This rich olive oil made on the property is of high quality single estate, flavourful with good acidity and balance.
The owners take pride in what they do which is apparent in quality of their products wines and oil. They are gracious and friendly, not the typical touristy experience but a real connection with owners who are proud of what they do.
Photos around Greve in Chianti and Fattoria Santo Stefano
Spiagge Bianche in Rosignano Marittimo, Italy:
This deceiving white sand beach gets its brilliant hues of blues from the chemical discharge of a nearby factory!
Italy is not known for white sand beaches like those you discover in the caribbean, but here in the turquoise waters of the Rosignano Solvay beach in Tuscany, you will discover they do exist! This pristine 4km long white sands picture-perfect swimming spot owes its allure to a nearby factory.
The beach is named after the Solvay factory, which produces soda ash for making glass as well as sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda. The plant discharges powdery deposits of limestone which could explains the white colour of the sand. The vibrant turquoise blue of the water is caused by the reflection of the sun against the white sea bed.
Train to Florence:
Florence to Rome takes about 1.5 hour. Departs once or twice an hour with Frecciargento or Frecciarossa high-speed train. Price starts at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.
Florence to Venice takes about 2 hours with trains once or twice an hour. Price starts at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.
Florence to Naples takes as little as 2.5 hours. Florence to Naples starts at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class
Trenitalia or Italo operates this route. Both are excellent!
Buy Trenitalia tickets at: www.trenitalia.com
Buy Italo tickets at www.italotreno.it.
Flight to Florence:
Florence airport (FLR) receive both domestic and international flights. There are 17 airlines that fly into Florence. From European, you can easily fly into Florence. For international travellers, a common itinerary is Venice-Florence-Rome. At which case, you would fly into Venice (VCE) or Rome (FCO) and take the train/bus/rent a car to Florence.
Bus to Florence:
Buses to and from Florence can be purchased with Flixbus. Buses from Venice start at €15.99. Buses from Rome start at €7.90. https://global.flixbus.com/bus/florence
Here’s more info about Tuscany.
Language: Italian. But, English is spoken in the main tourist areas.
Currency: Euro (EUR, €)
Modes of Payment: Cash and Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard and AMEX is still the most common)
Electricity Info: 220 volts
Train Travel: Trainline
Time zone: in Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy (GMT+1)
