Rented a car in Florence and drove to Greve in Chianti, in the Tuscany region. Also we visited the Castello di Verrazano and then settled at Salvadoran Borgo del Chianti, where we will be for two nights.
Greve in Chianti

A dimly lit brick cellar storing cured hams with vintage meat slicers and scales.

Illustration of a bull on a Macelleria Falorni meat packaging from Greve in Chianti.

A row of old buildings with arches and flower displays under a cloudy sky.


A cobblestone square with vintage buildings, a central statue, and parked cars under cloudy sky.

A taxidermy wild boar standing on a small wooden platform with wheels.

Large bronze torso sculpture with missing head and arms in front of stone building.



Statue of Giovanni da Verrazzano standing on a stone pedestal in a town square.



Castello di Verrazzano

Pictures never do the views justice.

The Gales, after we arrived at di Castello!

Cloudy sky over a lush green valley with olive trees and hillside houses.


This is ‘Luigi’. He Larry’s, our cat, second cousin from Tuscany.


Cozy restaurant and winery in Di Castello Verrazano.

A circular informational card detailing the history and wine tradition of Verrazzano estate, Italy.


Salvadonica - Borgo del Chianti









Our hotel grounds at night.



A good mix of old and modern.

If I was a succulent plant, I’d want to be this one.

I want to retire here.
A grassy field with scattered white flowers, tall cypress trees, and blue sky background.
Castellina in Chianti

Beautiful old town with stone houses and cobblestone streets.

Historic building with green shutters on a cobblestone street under a blue sky.

Stone fortress with battlements, Italian and EU flags, and a tree in front.

This entrance caught my eye as we walked by multiple times.

The black rooster symbol is for Chianti.



Maia and Anca on a bench on a beautiful street.

We had a very good small lunch, lunch numero uno, at this restaurant on the corner.
Radda in Chianti


These little historical towns can be a little hard to tell apart, but they are all very charming.

I would live in this house.


This felt like a very simple and authentic church.


Lunch numero duo, at another little restaurant with a nice little terrace.

Walking in town, up the hilly main street.


Many roosters etc…


Lovely window with potted flower.


We kept seeing this rainbow across the valley.
Dinner in San Donato


Narrow, old, charming streets.


We very much enjoyed this dinner. The best dinner we had in Italy.

Maia doesn’t like to be photographed, but that stops me not at all. :)

A close-up of a white calla lily flower with yellow spadix surrounded by green leaves. First I thought it was fake. It isn’t.

A rustic stone building at night with a sign reading "Antica Trattoria La Toppa." This is where we had our best meal in Tuscany.
| Hotel | Salvadonica Borgo del Chianti |
Drove from Florence.
Best meal in Tuscany for us. We ate at the “La Toppa”.