Upon arrival at your preferred Tuscany airport (18 miles from Florence or 1.5 hours from Pisa), pick up your rental vehicle and self-drive to the beautiful Villa Le Barone, a 4**** charming luxury hotel in the heart of the Chianti Classico wine region which is a Paradise for Tuscany Lovers.

The balance of your day remains at leisure to settle in and enjoy the lovely property grounds, take a stroll through the lovingly tended rose gardens, the surrounding olive groves and vineyards and take a dip in the heated salt water infinity swimming pool.

Lunch and Dinner can be taken in the restaurant set in the old winery and serves Tuscan specialties and famous local Chianti wines. The restaurant is solely for Hotel guests and their Tuscan recipes made with local fresh products only, the meat and olive oil are supplied by their own farm, and wines come from the many surrounding wineries.

Villa Le Barone lies in the heart of the Chianti hills, described by many as the loveliest countryside in Italy. This Tuscan landscape has gentle hills bedecked by vineyards, olive trees and woods, with lonely farmhouses and castles nestling between dark cypress trees. Painters and photographers have been inspired by this reassuring scenery and its unique luminosity, as you will be inspired by the views from Villa Le Barone.

A family property since the Renaissance (owned by the Della Robbia Florentine family) that has been converted into a small charm hotel just 40 years ago. The hotel and its 28 rooms have kept the antique furniture and pictures, the stylish atmosphere of a patrician home, the quality and friendly service of old times. Style and elegance, of course, go together with modern comfort to include air conditioning, safe, internet room access, free Wi-Fi.

After breakfast, commence your self-exploration of the beautiful Chianti Classico Wine Region with your rental vehicle.

The location of Villa Le Barone in the heart of Chianti Classico wine region makes it an ideal place from which to explore the world-famous Renaissance towns and cities of Tuscany with their architectural and art treasures, and wine tastings are very easy to organize.

Florence, Sienna, San Gimignano and many other art cities are easily reachable by car in less than an hour. Guests will find in their room suggestions for driving itineraries to explore Chianti “off the beaten track”, by foot, bicycle or car, and Villa Le Barone may also arrange tours of various cities and their museums.

Dario Cecchini the famous butcher of Panzano’s restaurant is just a stone’s throw away and is a perfect place for dinner this evening offering a unique communal meat-centric dining experience for meat lovers. (http://www.dariocecchini.com/)

After breakfast, the activity experiences are endless – You may choose to take part in a morning hands-on cooking course with a 4 course lunch meal just prepared.

In addition to the infinity heated swimming pool, Villa Le Barone has a tennis court, both with a beautiful view allow you to relax and enjoy your holidays. A small fitness center and a fitness trail allow work out, unless one wants to go jogging on one of the many paths in the woods surrounding the Villa. An 18 hole golf course is just 12 miles away (Golf dell’Ugolino http://www.golfugolino.com/en/). Free use of mountain bikes and the 12 station fitness trail (approximately 500m), all of these having stunning views on the Chianti hills, the vineyards, the olive trees.

There are many hiking, walking and cycling trails that exist in the surrounding countryside nearby, and a folder, given upon arrival, contains the corresponding itineraries.

The property covers several hectares and is set in a protected natural environment with views of the Tuscan rolling hills. The large grounds features beautiful rose gardens, centennial chestnut trees, Mediterranean plants and numerous flower beds that bloom throughout the seasons. The terraces and well-tended lawns offer multiple quiet spots where to relax and admire the charm and elegance of this quiet setting which offers stunning and romantic sunsets.

For those expert artists or just art admirers, Villa Le Barone is the perfect setting to practice painting, watercolor, photography. Watercolor and painting courses are organised at selected dates each year. Individual classes of half a day or one day are also offered by a tri-lingual artist.

After breakfast, self-drive to the Tuscany airport to board your departure flight.

Alternatively, you may wish to extend your time in Chianti to enjoy a few more nights at the lovely Villa Le Barone, and/or journey further south to experience the posh Amalfi Coastline or further north to the rugged Italian Riviera coastline of the Cinque Terra.