|
        
|
 |
A Weekend in Chianti
The Valley of Lamole
|
Tour
Description |
 About
the location: The valley of Lamole offers travelers stunning
views over the countryside in all seasons. Wild cherry trees
bloom in the spring with white flowers and later on violet
carpets of iris can be found among the olive trees. This
self-drive itinerary will lead you along roads lined with yellow
scotch broom in early summer and reddish vineyards in the fall.
Fattoria di Lamole is a family-run farmhouse located up in the
medieval village of Lamole, ideal for a retreat in the
countryside, surrounded by an endless sea of Chianti vineyards
and woods. The family also raises the traditional Cinta senese
pig variety nearby. The family offers accommodations in two
separated sections of the farm: le Volpaie and Il Pozzo. Le
Volpaie is made up of two buildings that date back to the 1700s.
The buildings were completely restored in 1994 with absolute
respect of the building’s original atmosphere but with modern
day comforts. There are four double rooms with ensuite private
bathrooms. Due to its position, it faces vineyards and the
surrounding woods of chestnut, oak and pine trees; a carpet of
giaggioli (irises) extends over the surrounding land, which
during their flowering period is a spectacular event. Rooms are
not air conditioned but nights are quite cool.
Il Pozzo: two additional rooms are located right around the
corner from the center of Lamole. Il Pozzo is an old rustic
building that shows original characteristics like wooden beams
and stone walls. The position is very panoramic; upon opening
the windows in the morning, one views the hills of Chianti
Classico. The Socci family's roots in Lamole date back to 1071.
Some members of the family were even Gonfalonieri of the Chianti
League. Paolo Socci and his German wife, Giuliana, are extremely
welcoming and friendly: a wine tasting with Paolo is truly an
authentic Tuscan experience!!
About the cooking lessons: Your hands-on cooking lesson will be
with one of our most popular chefs, Chef Claudio Piantini. The
class will in the nearby town of Figline Valdarno, either in
Chef Claudio’s restaurant or in the teaching kitchen at his
farmhouse. You will learn to prepare classic Tuscan dishes for a
full, multi-course meal. Claudio is a generous and patient
teacher, a true favorite among the clients and staff of The
International Kitchen.
Combine this with our 3-night Southern Tuscan Treasures for a
complete introduction to Tuscan wines!
|
|
Included
in the Program: |
- Three nights in double
room accommodations at Fattoria di Lamole B&B
- Daily breakfast
- Welcome dinner at Ristoro
di Lamole (or similar), local wine included
- Meat-based farewell dinner
in Panzano ( ¼ liter of wine included per person. Note: you
are allowed to bring your own wine with no corking fee. For
clients who do not eat meat, we can substitute a different
restaurant at time of booking).
- One hands on cooking
classes with one lunch to follow with Chef Claudio Piantini,
in Figline Valdarno with lunch to follow, local wine
included
- One guided Chianti tasting
with appetizers at Paolo’s cellars
- One guided wine tasting at
Vignamaggio estate (or similar) with lunch buffet to follow
(local wine included)
Please note: The
itinerary, restaurants and wineries may be altered slightly due
to opening/closing days of establishments and circumstance
beyond our control.
This is a self driving itinerary and you will need your own car.
We would be happy to assist you with a low cost rental. However,
for a minimum of 4 people, we can provide transportation for an
additional cost of US$300 per person. |
|
Tour
Itinerary |
Day One
Arrival at Fattoria di Lamole on your own in the afternoon.
Check in and settle into your room overlooking Paolo’s vineyards
and the Chianti hills. Meet Paolo or his assistant at 6:30PM in
the cellars and enjoy a guided wine tasting of the prestigious
Chianti wine they make. Afterwards, enjoy dinner on the
panoramic terrace of Ristoro di Lamole (local wine included),
located a short walking distance from the cellars. Return to the
farm and overnight.
Day Two
Breakfast with coffee or tea, homemade cakes and marmalades,
breads, yogurt and pastries. Travel on your own to the nearby
town of Figline Valdarno (about 40 minutes from your
accommodation). At 10:00AM meet Chef Claudio at his restaurant
in Figline for a special hands-on cooking class. Lunch to follow
based on your efforts, local wine included. Afternoon at leisure
to discover the quaint medieval castle of Montefioralle and the
lively “capital” of the Chiantishire, Greve in Chianti. Explore
the smells of the underground aging cheese cellar at the
historic Falorni butcher shop and try the typical Tuscan salamis
and hams in their tasting room. Dinner on your own in one of the
local trattorie in Greve. It’s a short trip back to the farm
(approximately 15 minute drive) and overnight.
Day Three
Breakfast. Driving down a street shaded by old cypresses will
easily take you to the Vignamaggio estate, one of the historic
buildings in the area, where people say the “Mona Lisa” was
born. Enjoy a guided tour through its beautiful gardens
surrounded by camelias and olive groves. Afterwards, partake in
a wine tasting in an authentic vaulted room of the villa. A
large buffet Tuscan lunch to follow, paired with local wines
made at the villa. After lunch, an opportunity to rest by the
villa’s pool or return to Lamole. In late afternoon visit to the
medieval castle of Panzano in Chianti and its artisan shops.
Dinner tonight in Panzano at the original Tuscan Trattoria
Solociccia for a meat-based menu (if you do not eat meat,
another restaurant can be substituted at time of booking). The
trattoria is not simply a restaurant, it is the home of the
renowned Tuscan butcher Dario Cecchini. The restored two-story
building has exposed stone walls, floors are connected by a
glass stairway, and the space is decorated with modern art. Here
is the chance to enjoy Dario’s family recipes and good company.
Dine with others at group tables with a fixed menu that Dario
decides day by day.
After dinner return to Lamole on your own (about a 20 minute
drive) and overnight.
Day Four
Breakfast followed by departure.
|
| Departure
Dates and Rates |
2008 Price Per Person
US$850 based on double occupancy
US$200 single supplement
Combine this with our 3-night Southern Tuscan Treasures for a
complete introduction to Tuscan wines!
2008 Tour Dates
On request for a minimum of 2 people, March to November.
We suggest Thursday as the arrival day in order to enjoy the
frequent local festivals in Greve and Panzano in Chianti. |
Back to Itinerary Page
|
