Tuscany

We at « Zoom » are in love with Italy, but above all we cherish Tuscany. Driving our classic cars along wonderful country roads from cities full of art to small villages, vineyards covered hills and villas at the end of fascinating alleys of cypress trees.

The routes of this beautiful region are endless. We want to show you the most amazing one’s, which will leave you with indelible memories and stimulated all your senses. From Florence to San Geminiano, from Siena to Montalcino, from Cortona to Arezzo travelling the wonderful roads of Chianti and Val d ‘Orcia, reaching some of the most remote towns and villages of Tuscany enjoying wine, olive oil and culinary delights among the tastiest in the world along the way.

Our drive starts from the area of Florence, where we meet for the first time our Fiat 500s, the faithful “cinquecento” which will be your partner throughout our journey. Our first night will be at Il Salviatino (www.salviatino.com ), one of our favorites hotels (if available), a perfectly restored 15th century villa which lies proudly on the hillside of Fiesole, with inspirational views of Florence and the rolling hills of Tuscan landscape.

Florence will offer you a wealth of history as an « open air museum »; Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio and Ponte Vecchio are just some of famous places in a city where you can enjoy the masterpieces of Michelangelo, Giotto, Leonardo Da Vinci and Sandro Botticelli.

The Chianti area, lies between Florence and Siena, it is presently a candidate to become a UNESCO heritage site. We will cross along the amazing Via Chiantigiana making a stop in Greve in Chianti to visit the distinctive square shape village and shops sheltered by arcades as well as the Wine Museum representing more than 200 wine labels of the region. We continue on the Chianti road to the villages of Panzano and Castellina in Chianti. Stroll through the old streets and large medieval walls.

Our iconic FIAT 500 will guide us westwards enjoying the wonderful views of the countryside to San Gimignano, another pearl of this incredible region and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with it’s magical medieval village that makes us go back in time. We immerse ourselves completely in this atmosphere until sunset before driving to our hotel.

Relais La Suvera in Pievescola Casole d’Elsa (www.lasuvera.it) (if available),  was a medieval fortress, later converted into a sumptuous Renaissance villa and hotel, where you will be pampered. You may enjoy a visit to the wonderful wellness spa, and dinner in the high quality traditional restaurant.

Starting in the morning from the Relais La Suvera, the first stop is Siena, one of the most famous city in the world for its historical/cultural heritage. We will enjoy a walking tour from Piazza del Campo, famous for its shell-shape and the Palio di Siena to the Town Hall tower and the Torre del Mangia that offer spectacular views of the square and the city. The Cathedral, precious example of Italian Romanesque-Gothic style, with its beautiful pavement, the Baptistery, the Crypt and the Museum which houses the exquisite altarpiece of the fourteenth century Duccio di Buoninsegna Majesty.

We leave Siena through the magical roads of the Crete Senesi, a desert of parched hillocks, similar to a lunar landscape, made of clay eroded over the centuries, broken only by the dark green of long rows of cypress trees; along winding roads that connect the ancient medieval villages of Monteroni d’Arbia and Buonconvento.

From Buonconvento we immerse ourselves in another UNESCO heritage area, Val d’Orcia. The landscapes, harmony of colors and natural beauty have become icons of the Renaissance painting. We cross the valley along the famous Strada del Brunello, which leads us to Montalcino, home of Brunello di Montalcino, one of the most prestigious wines in the world. Here we visit the beautiful « Rocca » medieval fortress of 1300 that gives us a spectacular view across the valley. In the late afternoon we reach the Castello Banfi Il Borgo, Relais propertie of the famous Brunello wine producers, (http://castellobanfiilborgo.com). The fortress dominates the most famous vineyards in the world. You will relax and immerse yourself in the culinary traditions of the area.

After a night of amazing wine and food, next morning, inebriated, peaceful and relaxed, we will return to our Fiat 500, for a drive to discover the Val d’Orcia through San Quirico D’Orcia, Pienza, a jewel known as the « Ideal City » true Renaissance monument designed by Pio II, a great humanist pope. Then Montichiello, a fascinating old town.

On the way we will have some relaxing time in Bagni Vignone an absolutely unique town. In the central square, surrounded by Renaissance buildings, we find a large medieval tub full of water which flows from the thermal spring, and slowly evaporates, creating a fairytale atmosphere that impressed the travelers of all ages.

The day will end in a hotel full of charm « La Lupaia » in Torrita di Siena a few kilometers from Montepulciano, a small agritourism property dating back to 1600.

For the final leg our journey, we will head back toward Florence, passing through other two jewels of Tuscany, Cortona and Arezzo. The small hill town of Cortona, with origins dating back to the Etruscans period. Its main attractions is the Etruscan Academy Museum. The heart of the town is Piazza della Repubblica, where overlooks the wonderful Palazzo Comunale. Then on to the lovely town of Arezzo, birthplace of brilliant masters, Piero della Francesca and Giorgio Vasari. We will visit the Basilica of San Francesco with splendid frescoes of the Legend of the True Cross by Piero della Francesca, the Church of San Domenico with the wooden crucifix by Cimabue and the magnificent Piazza Grande with Vasari.

Our travels will come to an end as we drive toward Florence where we started a few days ago, our venture having brought us lot’s of emotions and memories to take home.