VILLA IN TUSCANY
 

We are renting a "villa" near Greve in Tuscany for a week in early May this year. We will have a car. Any suggestions as to what to see during that week??

A few suggestions: <BR>1 - Make a tour through Chianti country; <BR>2 - Make another tour south of Siena (Buonconvento, Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano, Sinalunga); <BR>3 - Go to San Gimignano. Buy good wines in a super-market at the exit from auto-route to San Gimignano; <BR>4 - Go to Siena as many times as you can; <BR>5 - See the Chianti country travelling on a balloon. See the tourism bureau in Siena for this trip. <BR>Enjoy, Ismael

Elegant answer, Ismael. <BR> <BR>Did you leave out a day in Florence because it's "so obvious"?

Agree completely agree with nos. 1&2 on Ismael's list. Plus try and make the Saturday morning market in Greve; everything from fresh produce, shoes, chickens, pigs and hardware is sold. While in the main piazza, visit the Galleria Civetta and chat with Khosro, the owner about life in Italy. Visit Graciella's butcher shop next door. For a truly interesting shopping experience, head to the COOP near Poggibonsi. I'm not sure what your villa is stocked with but this place has it all! Definitely drive the A222 through Chianti, alot!! Make sure you have a good bottle of wine to enjoy while star gazing. The night sky over that part of Italy is truly amazing. If you like Terra Cotta, take the back road from Greve to Impruneta. Have an incredible trip.

And remember that the grocery stores in Tuscany close on Saturday night between 6 and 7, not to reopen until Monday afternoon! Do your grocery shopping as soon as you unload your car. The COOP in Poggi is an interesting experience indeed! I wish the supermarkets here in Boston were that good!!