Hills

The wine, or simply landscapes or curiosity: you decide what is your interest and you will not have disappointments in any case! If are not a connoisseur this can be a good time to be won over by a magical place rich in tradition.

The Tuscany wine route is for those who want to stop and observe the landscape, for those seeking a relaxing holiday rich in authentic flavours. We at toscanainside.com would like to offer, in addition to the most famous and important wine roads in Tuscany, Italy some alternative routes for you to visit the Tuscany hills that maybe you do not know.

CHIANTI: The famous hills of Tuscany area is divided (and disputed) between Siena, Florence and Arezzo. The word 'Chianti' says it all: whether you are Italian or not, enjoy drinking wine or don’t drink, young or otherwise young, this word will call to mind the image of Tuscan red wine par excellence. Keep in mind that in addition to wine tasting, there is also an incredible landscape to admire, made of vineyards, olive groves, stone houses, hay bales, and more!

HILLS OF LUCCA: Among the wine routes in Tuscany this will one is definitely enjoyable. The area around Lucca offers, in fact, a splendid panorama that alternates crops of wine and oil, vegetation and villas from the Renaissance period. Along this wine route in Tuscany you can discover and taste the Colline Lucchesi red (or Merlot, Sangiovese), another Tuscany d.o.c. that comes from a very ancient tradition. These Tuscany hills along the Apennines will also enable you to take relaxing stops in small villages between artistic treasures and historic buildings.

CRETE SENESI South of the city of Siena you will encounter a different landscape to the classic image of Tuscany. Rugged, deserted and fascinating Tuscany hills that pass through various locations such as Trequanda, Rapolano Terme and Asciano winding along the road of Crete. Many have called it either a lunar landscape, interrupted here and there by cypresses; or a desert made of biancane (small mounds of light colour) and clay rocks. In the height of summer you will be dazzled by the glare of the sun beating on these lands eroded by time; instead, if you travel in autumn, you will have the chance to see infinite shades of light and colour change throughout the day. In Tuscany, The rolling hills in Tuscany will give you incredible and memorable sunsets. After taking pictures and admiring the landscape in front of you, you should pay a visit to the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore (Asciano): again you will be amazed! And do not forget to taste the famous Percorino cheese in the area!

PISANE HILLS If you have chosen to take a trip in the Tuscany hills in the area of Pisa you will find yourself pleasantly immersed in the beautiful harmony of natural landscapes and the presence of fields and vineyards. This area stretches towards the Tyrrhenian and offers you the possibility to reach the sea along the Tuscany countryside roads between sunflowers and cypresses. In this case, visiting the Tuscany hills will allow you to get close to beautiful bathing areas and islands without travelling too far! Remember to taste the Tuscany, red wine: in particular Chianti of the Pisan Hills!

MONTEPULCIANO The wine that many Tuscans love drinking at home is named after this area, so if you pass through Montepulciano, we suggest you do not miss a taste (or a bottle as a memento!). The Vino Nobile di Montepulciano d.o.c. has a ruby colour, an intense aroma and is one of the oldest of the Tuscan tradition. Montepulciano is a vintage and fragrant wine, and even those who are not fond of red wines should taste it! If you arrive in the village before noon, we advise you to have breakfast with a glass of red (the same goes for the white!). In the meantime, however, you should use the opportunity to discover this beautiful medieval village. Do not miss the Triptych of the Assumption of Taddeo di Bartolo and the Altar of the Lilies by Andrea Della Robbia in the Cathedral of Montepulciano!

METALLIFEROUS HILLS AND BOLGHERI From your history or geography lessons in school do you remember which Tuscany hills did the Etruscans mine metals from? If memories falter, the answer is in fact: in the hills of four different cities! The so called Metalliferous hills are located between the provinces of Siena, Pisa, Livorno and Grosseto, in the Tuscany Pre-Apennines. From Etruscan times until the mid-19th century these places were exploited for the extraction of various metals such as pyrite and alum. Among the many towns and nature reserves in this area you should visit the town of Baratti and Populonia (Livorno), part of the impressive Archaeological Parks linked to the ancient activities of the Metalliferous hills in Tuscany. The hills of Livorno include the town of Bolgheri, famous for producing one of the most famous wines of Tuscany: the Bolgheri DOC. Originally Bolgheri was a castle of Lombard origins which was then extended to become a real medieval town. After visiting the castle, cross the famous avenue of cypresses and finally search for a bottle of Sassicaia Bolgheri DOC to taste with friends!

CAPALBIO South of Grosseto, near the border with Lazio, lies the charming village of Capalbio. Your holiday in the Tuscan countryside will have many surprises also in this southern route: discover an ancient village surrounded by walls, with Romanesque churches, lodges and towers that overlook Lake Burano. From Capalbio you can easily head for the resorts of the Costa d 'Argento to swim in the sea by some of the most beautiful beaches in Tuscany (Talamone or Porto Santo Stefano) or visit the Maremma Regional Park. Finally, we at toscanainside.com suggest another original and rather alternative place that includes a walk in the Tarot Garden. It is a park created in 1979 by the French artist Niki de Saint Phalle who, inspired by artists such as Gaudi and Miro, has recreated statues and an atmosphere of the major arcana of the Tarot.

MONTALCINO is located in the province of Siena and is one of the most famous for its precious wine in Tuscany: Brunello di Montalcino doc, The village of Montalcino is situated on top of a hill from where you can observe the Val d 'Orcia from above. Indulge in one of the best wineries in Tuscany, Italy and make a visit to the Fortress, the Church of St. Augustine and the Astrusi Theatre, where you will be amazed by how much wealth (not just wine!) is produced in this place.

ARETINI HILLS From the Tuscan hills, Italy of Arezzo comes the Arezzo hills DOCG, one of the best wines in Tuscany, Italy. In Tuscany, you will see that there is not enough time to become passionate about one wine as soon you will discover another! Also, with a meal try the Vin Santo del Chianti Colli Aretini to accompany your dessert. Take your time! The city of Arezzo deserves a visit as it is famous not only for its strong smelling red wine, but also for its artistic beauty and its traditions, such as the frescoes of Piero della Francesca, the carousel of the Saracen and the Antiques Fair.

Are the Tuscany wine route and wine in Tuscany, Italy right for you? Have you read our advice and have you imagined yourself chatting amiably with the wine producers in the vineyards? In Tuscany, any Chianti wine trail you choose to do, will be fascinating and worthwhile! Get ready to celebrate and toast!