Poggibonsi: Fortresses and history nearby Casale di Villore 

Only 30 minutes by road from your villa in Chianti (along the Via Chiantigiana) and you arrive in Poggibonsi, a medieval village in the Val d'Elsa full of surprises. It is the ideal place for a different day: castles to explore, ancient fountains, living archaeology and excellent cellars. Perfect if you want to get out of the pool and discover authentic Tuscany!

1.⁠⁠ Medici Fortress of Poggio Imperiale 

The queen of the village: a gigantic fortress from the 1500s with imposing walls and a 360° view. Inside there is the Archeodomo, a faithfully rebuilt 10th century village where you can see blacksmiths, knights and farmers at work. Also ideal for children!

2.⁠⁠ Rocca di Staggia (only 10 km away)

A perfectly preserved medieval castle. Walk on the towers and walls and discover modern works of art that dialogue with history. Very suggestive at sunset.

3.⁠⁠ "Fonte delle Fate" Source of the Fairies

A Gothic fountain from 1200, hidden and magical. It was the center of ancient Poggibonizio: today it is a small jewel to photograph.

4.⁠⁠ Convent of San Lucchese and Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta

Two places of peace: the convent for a serene walk among olive trees, the Collegiate to admire frescoes and architecture. Perfect for those looking for a bit of Tuscan spirituality.

Tuscany's city of art at your fingertips from Villore

The location of Villore is perfect: you are in the center of one of the most beautiful territories in the world. In less than an hour you can reach some of the most famous art cities in the world. Here are the most comfortable ones:

• Florence (40 minutes by car)

The Cathedral, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery, Academy (David by Michelangelo). Park outside and take the shuttle bus or train from Empoli/Poggibonsi. Ideal for a whole day.

• Siena (35 minutes)

Piazza del Campo, Torre del Mangia, Duomo with mosaic floor. Perfect for the Palio (if you come in July/August) or for a romantic walk.

• San Gimignano (25 minutes)

The 14 medieval towers, the "Manhattan of the Middle Ages". Artisan ice cream and breathtaking views of the Chianti hills.

• Monteriggioni (20 minutes)

The circular village with intact walls. It looks like it came out of a movie: walk on the walls and lunch with a view.

• Volterra and Pisa (1 hour / 1 hour and 20)

Volterra for the alabaster and the Etruscan Museum; Pisa for the Leaning Tower and Piazza dei Miracoli.

• Lucca (1 hour and 10 minutes)

The most beautiful intact Renaissance walls in Italy, perfect for a walk or a bike ride. Don't miss the Guinigi Tower with the trees on top, the Cathedral of San Martino and the romantic squares. It is the ideal city for a relaxing day, without the crowds of Florence.

• Arezzo (1 hour)

Medieval Piazza Grande, the extraordinary frescoes by Piero della Francesca in the Basilica of San Francesco and the famous antiques fair (first Sunday of the month). Perfect for those who love Renaissance art and a lunch with ribollita and local wine.

The territory of Chianti with its hills

The Casale di Villore is located right at the gates of Chianti Classico, among rolling hills covered with vineyards, centuries-old olive groves and rows of cypresses that create the most photographed Tuscan landscape in the world.

From here go directly and discover:

• Hiking or e-bike excursions through the paths of the hills (many start right from the Villore gate)

• The most beautiful villages: Greve in Chianti (triangular square and Saturday market), Castellina in Chianti, Radda in Chianti and Gaiole

• Tastings of Chianti Classico DOCG and extra virgin olive oil in nearby wineries (many less than 10 minutes away)

• The Chianti Road: a panoramic itinerary with breathtaking views, perfect for sunset photos

• Food and wine experiences: Florentine steak, Tuscan pecorino cheese, truffles and locally produced honey

This is the view you see every morning from the pool: pure Chianti territory! Many of our guests tell us that the hills around Villore are the real reason why they book again every year.

From Villore you leave in the morning rested, without traffic stress, and come back in time for the sunset at the pool. Many of our guests make a "week of art + relaxation" thanks to this strategic position!

Here we also want to show you a couple of restaurants in the area, if you really don't want to cook when you get back, because you're too tired:

Antica trattoria PESTELLO (4 km. from Casale di Villore: excellent typical Tuscan cuisine

Restaurant Pizzeria L'ANGOLO DEL CHIANTI (in Località la Strolla just 3 km. from the Casale di Villore)