About the location: The valley of Lamole offers travelers stunning views over the countryside in all seasons.
Wild cherry trees bloom in the spring with white flowers and later on violet carpets of iris can be found among the
olive trees.
This self-drive itinerary will lead you along roads lined with yellow scotch broom in early
summer and reddish vineyards in the fall.
Fattoria di Lamole is a family-run farmhouse located up in the medieval village of Lamole, ideal for a retreat in the
countryside, surrounded by an endless sea of Chianti vineyards and woods. The family also raises the traditional Cinta
senese pig variety nearby.
The family offers accommodations in two separated sections of the farm: le Volpaie and Il Pozzo.
Le Volpaie is made up of two buildings that date back to the 1700s. The buildings were completely restored in 1994 with absolute respect of the building’s original
atmosphere but with modern day comforts. There are four double rooms with ensuite private bathrooms. Due to its position,
it faces vineyards and the surrounding woods of chestnut, oak and pine trees; a carpet of giaggioli (irises) extends
over the surrounding land, which during their flowering period is a spectacular event. Rooms are not air conditioned but nights are
quite cool.
Il Pozzo: two additional rooms are located right around the corner from the center of Lamole.
Il Pozzo is an old rustic building that shows original characteristics like wooden beams and
stone walls. The position is very panoramic; upon opening the windows in the morning, one views the hills of Chianti Classico.
The Socci family's roots in Lamole date back to 1071.
Some members of the family were even Gonfalonieri
of the Chianti League. Paolo Socci and his German wife, Giuliana, are extremely welcoming and friendly: a wine tasting with Paolo
is truly an authentic Tuscan experience!!
About the cooking lessons: Your hands-on cooking lesson will be with one of our most popular chefs, Chef Claudio Piantini.
The class will in the nearby town of Figline Valdarno, either in Chef Claudio’s restaurant or in the teaching kitchen
at his farmhouse. You will learn to prepare classic Tuscan dishes for a full, multi-course meal. Claudio is a generous
and patient teacher, a true favorite among the clients and staff of The International Kitchen.
Combine this with our 3-night Southern Tuscan Treasures
for a complete introduction to Tuscan wines!
A Weekend in Chianti
Lamole, Tuscany
Itinerary
Day One
- Arrival at Fattoria di Lamole on your own in the afternoon.
- Check in and settle into your room overlooking Paolo’s vineyards and the Chianti hills.
- Meet Paolo or his assistant at 6:30PM in the cellars and enjoy a guided wine tasting of the prestigious Chianti wine they make.
- Afterwards, enjoy dinner on the panoramic terrace of Ristoro di Lamole (local wine included), located a short walking distance from the cellars.
- Return to the farm and overnight.
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Day Two
- Breakfast with coffee or tea, homemade cakes and marmalades, breads, yogurt and pastries.
- Travel on your own to the nearby town of Figline Valdarno (about 40 minutes from your accommodation).
- At 10:00AM meet Chef Claudio at his restaurant in Figline for a special hands-on cooking class.
- Lunch to follow based on your efforts, local wine included.
- Afternoon at leisure to discover the quaint medieval castle of Montefioralle and the lively “capital” of the Chiantishire, Greve in Chianti.
- Explore the smells of the underground aging cheese cellar at the historic Falorni butcher shop and try the typical Tuscan salamis and hams in their tasting room.
- Dinner on your own in one of the local trattorie in Greve.
- It’s a short trip back to the farm (approximately 15 minute drive) and overnight.
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Day Three
- Breakfast.
- Driving down a street shaded by old cypresses will easily take you to the Vignamaggio estate, one of the historic
buildings in the area, where people say the “Mona Lisa” was born. Enjoy a guided tour through its beautiful gardens surrounded by camelias and olive groves.
- Afterwards, partake in a wine tasting in an authentic vaulted room of the villa.
- A large buffet Tuscan lunch to follow, paired with local wines made at the villa.
- After lunch, an opportunity to rest by the villa’s pool or return to Lamole.
- In late afternoon visit to the medieval castle of Panzano in Chianti and its artisan shops.
- Dinner tonight in Panzano at the original Tuscan Trattoria Solociccia for a meat-based menu (if you do not eat meat, another restaurant can be substituted at time of booking).
The trattoria is not simply a restaurant, it is the home of the renowned Tuscan butcher Dario Cecchini. The restored two-story building has exposed stone walls,
floors are connected by a glass stairway, and the space is decorated with modern art. Here is the chance to enjoy Dario’s family recipes and good company.
Dine with others at group tables with a fixed menu that Dario decides day by day.
- After dinner return to Lamole on your own (about a 20 minute drive) and overnight.
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Day Four
- Breakfast followed by departure.
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Included in the program:
- Three nights in double room accommodations at Fattoria di Lamole B&B
- Daily breakfast
- Welcome dinner at Ristoro di Lamole (or similar), local wine included
- Meat-based farewell dinner in Panzano ( ¼ liter of wine included per person. Note: you are allowed to bring your own wine with no corking fee.
For clients who do not eat meat, we can substitute a different restaurant at time of booking).
- One hands on cooking classes with one lunch to follow with Chef Claudio Piantini, in Figline Valdarno with lunch to follow,
local wine included
- One guided Chianti tasting with appetizers at Paolo’s cellars
- One guided wine tasting at Vignamaggio estate (or similar) with lunch buffet to follow (local wine included)
Please note: The itinerary, restaurants and wineries may be altered slightly due to opening/closing days of establishments and circumstance beyond our control.
This is a self driving itinerary and you will need your own car. We would be happy to assist you with a low cost rental. However,
for a minimum of 4 people, we can provide transportation for an additional cost of US$300 per person.
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