* the owner is our friend
Local restaurants normally open from 12:30 to 14:30 and from 19:30 to 21:30

Food shops - Foodstuffs

online grocery shop with delivery at the villa: ESSELUNGA Arezzo, https://www.esselungaacasa.it/

Open-air Markets

only in the morning from 7am to 1pm

Figline Valdarno - Tuesday
Siena - Wednesday
Montevarchi - Thursday (the grocery street is viale Matteotti)
San Giovanni - Saturday

Butcher's Shop

Macelleria Fantechi
Via Burzagli, 116 Montevarchi Tel 0559102005 - GPS N:43.528272 E:11.562764

Macelleria Moretti
Via Trento, 4 Montevarchi Tel 055980551‎ - GPS N:43.524074 E:11.56882

Macelleria Sani
Via Niccolò Angeli, 15, 52021 Bucine Tel 055992312 - GPS N:43.479153, E:11.616428

Antica Macelleri Falorni
Piazza Giacomo Matteotti 71 - Greve in Chianti Tel 055854363 - GPS N:43.58234 - E:11.316642
www.falorni.it

Antica Macelleria Cecchini
Via XX Luglio, 11 - Panzano in Chianti Tel 055852020 - GPS N: 43.544442 - E:11.316378
www.dariocecchini.com

ATMs (Bancomat)

in Montevarchi

- Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena via Roma,54
- Banco BPM, via Dante 2/4
- BNL via Trento, 7
- Banca del Valdarno Via Sante Tani 47 (Saturday morning open)

in Cavriglia
- Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, Viale Aldo Moro 2 GPS N:43.523885 - E:11.488638

Antique Fairs

Opening times: usually from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Arezzo: 1st Sunday of each month and the Saturday before. (500 exhibitors)
Pistoia: 2nd Sunday of each month
Siena: 3rd Sunday of each month, a small market in Piazza del Mercato (near Piazza del Campo)
Lucca: 3rd Sunday of each month and the Saturday before
Terranova: 2nd Sunday of each month (small)
Florence: Last Sunday of each month.

Markets in Florence

Open all day long
Le Cascine, a huge market along the river Arno at Le Cascine park. Open on Tuesday morning.
S. Lorenzo Market, open from Tuesday to Saturday during winter and from Monday to Saturday during summer.

Pastry shops in Montevarchi

Pasticceria Gelè - Via Roma, 104 Montevarchi GPS N: 43.522731 - E:11.568111
Pasticceria Dolce Momento - Via Isonzo, 1 Montevarchi GPS N: 43.519892 - E: 11.567908
Pasticerria Diana - Via Louis Pasteur, 1 Montevarchi GPS N: 43.538286 - E: 11.557367

Banks

Open from 8:20 to 13:20 and 14.30 to 15.30
Banks don't do currency exchange, the nearest currency exchanges are in Florence or Siena

Post office

Montevarchi:
- Viale Diaz, 78
- Via Tani, 26

Cavriglia:
- via Moro, 4
Stamps are also on sale at tobacconists

Railway stations

"Montevarchi - Terranuova" the station is located in Montevarchi
main entrance: Piazza Donatori Di Sangue, 10 [GPS N:43.525483 - E:11.564451]
second entrance: Via della Sugherella [GPS N:43.524402 - E:11.564389]

Montevarchi train station / free parkings:
Via della Sugherella N:43.524402 - E:11.564389
Via Cimitero: N: 43.524473 - E: 11.560318

Tel 063000
Tel 0668475475
http://www.trenitalia.com/

Airports

Firenze / Florence (FLR):
tel 0553061300 www.aeroporto.firenze.it

Pisa (PSA):
tel 050582356 - 050582354 www.pisa-airport.com

Roma Fiumicino (FCO)
tel 0665951 www.adr.it

Bologna (BLQ)
tel 0516479615 www.bologna-airport.it

Petrol stations

Self-service petrol stations 24/7 accept cash and credit card
Operator on duty monday to saturday from 7 to 13 and 14 to 19

DRIVERs

There are only 4 taxis/drivers in the area and they are usually very busy with the Prada outlet. Taxis always depart from Montevarchi train station and the waiting can be 10/15 minutes.
Taxis are available only during daytime from 9:00 to 18:00; in the other times only with advanced reservation. (Taxis rarely accept reservation out of the normal working hrs).

NINO: +39 335398127
STEFANO: +39 339 7206702
ROBERTO: +39 3932874498
MASSIMO: +39 338 2321804

Drivers speak italian and the best way to reserve is by WhatsApp message with simple english; something like:
(Today 11:00 La Selva Giardino del Belvedere to Montevarchi train station 5 pax, ok?) 

If you need a driver for a full day or a longer distance please message me and I will be happy to arrange for you

Thermal hot springs

San Giovanni Terme Rapolano
Via Terme San Giovanni, 52 53040 - Rapolano Terme (SI)
Tel 0577724030
http://www.termesangiovanni.it
GPS N: 43.280845 - E:11.591434

Terme di Montecatini SPA
Viale Giuseppe Verdi, 41, 51016 Montecatini Terme PT
monday to friday from 8.00am to 1.00pm and from 3.00pm to 6 00pm
saturday from 8.00am to 1.00pm
Tel: 05727781 mobile: 3346649087

www.termemontecatini.it

Free outdoor thermal hot springs: 

Molino di Saturnia: strada Vicinale Molino del Bagno 9/a, Saturnia GR                                       open 24h 7/7 lecascatedisaturnia.com

Bagni San Filippo (aka white whale) : loc. Bagni San Filippo, Castiglione d'Orcia SI                    open 24h 7/7 www.bagnisanfilippoterme.it

Golf Courses

in Cavriglia:
10 min from the villa, Golf Club "Le Miniere" 3 holes practice course, coming soon 9 brand new holes
www.golfclubleminiere.com Tel: 3481744225

in Florence:
Golf Club dell'Ugolino, oldest golf club in Italy, 18 holes course along the chianti hills 10km south of Florence https://www.golfugolino.it/
Usually closed on Monday during winter; always booked out on Saturday and Sunday.
Tel: 0552301085 or 0552301009

in Siena:
Royal Golf La Bagnaia
SS223, Località Bagnaia, Murlo SI

https://www.royalgolflabagnaia...

Swimming pool

Open every day from 10 am to 8 pm
Montevarchi viale Matteotti Tel 055901331 - 0559103162 (indoor - outdoor)

Tennis and Padel course

Open every day
Montevarchi Tennis Club via Maestri del lavoro, 3 Tel 0559102920

Riding center

Rendola Riding
Rendola 66, Montevarchi, Arezzo
Tel 055/9707045
http://www.rendolariding.it/

LA FORRA
Montegonzi, Cavriglia
Tel. 055 966091 - 3288263542
http://www.laforra.it/

Museum

In Montevarchi
- Il Cassero per la scultura Via Trieste, 1 Tel 0559108272 www.ilcasseroperlascultura.it/
- Museo Paleontologico Via P. Bracciolini, 36 Tel 055981227
- Museo Tempietto Robbiano Via I. del Lungo Tel 055980868

In San Giovanni Valdarno
Museo Casa Masaccio corso italia 83 Tel 055943788>

Health

The closest hospital (OSPEDALE) and one-aid (PRONTO SOCCORSO) is in Montevarchi
[GPS N:43.544209 - E:11.554279]
Ospedale di Montevarchi - Localita' Gruccia, Montevarchi - Tel 118

Pharmacy

in Montevarchi
- Antica Farmacia Galeffi via Roma, 95 Tel 055980348 [GPS N:43.523229 - E:11.56752]
- Farmacia Bartolini via Roma, 181 Tel 055980304 [GPS N: 43.522076 - E:11.568839]
- Farmacia Comunale Via Giovanni Pascoli [GPS N:43.52651 - E:11.566047]
- Farmacia Comunale 1 Via Francesco Cataliotti 16 Tel 0559104937 [GPS N: 43.526431 - E: 11.565873]

in Cavriglia

- Farmacia Missanelli Elia Viale Caduti 29 - Cavriglia Tel 055966021 [GPS N:43.52243 - E:11.491118]

Suggested day trips

(R) : Reservations required; I will be happy to make the booking for you.

Valdarno

Montevarchi [GPS N:43.524484 - E:11.568571]
Main sights:
Collegiata di San Lorenzo, Church of Santa Maria al Giglio, Chiostro di Cennano, Museo d'Arte Sacra or della Robbia Temple, Accademia Valdarnese del Poggio Library, The Cassero sculpture museum, Via dei Musei

San Giovanni Valdarno [GPS N:43.566267 - E:11.530718]
Main sights:
Palazzo Pretorio or Palazzo d'Arnolfo (13th century)
Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Church of San Lorenzo

Montegonzi [GPS N:43.500087 - E:11.494289]
Pretty untouched hill village, with a great view of the valley.
The small grocery store with bar and the restaurant are a good stop.

Castelfranco di Sopra, Country of Crags [GPS N: 43.621274 - E:11.554274]
This Florentine “new land” founded on the 13th century with a defensive role and supplying source. Today is listed on "the most beautiful villages in Italy" (I Borghi più belli d'Italia).

Vallombrosa Abbey [GPS N:43.732654 - E:11.556832]
Surrounded by a magnificent forest is 1000 meters up and 1270 hectares large. It was originally the site of the hermitage of Sta. Maria d’Acquabella and later that of the Benedictine monastery founded in the 11th century by St. John Gualberto (or Gualbert).

Firenze

CITY CENTER RESTRICTED AREA

In Florence, Siena, Arezzo, Pisa, Lucca and most of the Italian cities the city center streets are restricted to traffic and only taxis, residents and special pass are allowed to drive.

The restricted area is called ZTL ( Zona Traffico Limitato)

In Florence the restricted area is quite big

and is controlled by cameras that automatically take photos of every car plate number; the fine is around 100 Euro and it will be charged by the rental company in your credit card. The restricted area in not always ON and sometimes is possible to enter without pass but the ON time change with the months and days of the week so I suggest you to avoid drive in the city center and park in one of the parkings listed below

Florence, UNESCO World Heritage Site (40 min by train)

Car parks in Firenze

http://www.firenzeparcheggi.it...

Sant’Ambrogio (Underground parking) GPS N 43.769593 E 11.270233

Fortezza da Basso (Underground parking) GPS N 43.782615 E 11.245789

Fortezza da Basso (Above the ground parking) GPS N 43.781815 E 11.246005

Santa Maria Novella train station (Underground parking) GPS N 43.775738 E 11.249198

If you drive a minvan remember to check if there is enough space for the van to enter in an underground parking

Main sights: Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo), San Giovanni Baptistery, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge), Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens, Medici Chapel, Piazza della Repubblica, Accademia Gallery (R) , Uffizi Gallery (R), Piazzale Michelangelo, Basilica of Santa Croce, Piazza della Repubblica, San Lorenzo market . . .

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SIENA
is a UNESCO a World Heritage Site [GPS N: 43.318426 - E:11.33163]
Parkings: http://www.sienaparcheggi.com/

Pian d’ovile: [GPS N. 43.322782, E. 11.330604]
Stadio [GPS N: 43.320385 - E:11.326217] (not on Wednesday or during Siena soccer match)
San Francesco [GPS N:43.32268 E:11.33693]
Il Campo (Via Fontenella) [GPS N:43.313758, E:11.333760]
Duomo [GPS N:43.312972, E:11.325604]
Santa Caterina [GPS 43.317304, 11.323922]
Porta Romana 43.313045, 11.339426 (on the street)

Parcheggio San Francesco and other parkings ares mostly underground and have a height limit of 2.10 meters https://goo.gl/maps/KCqRApcpEW... I suggest you to check the height of your van

To go to Siena I suggest to follow this road http://g.co/maps/cr37b

Main sights:
Siena's cathedral (Duomo), Piazza del Campo, Palazzo Pubblico, Torre del Mangia, Palazzo Salimbeni, Basilica of San Domenico, Sanctuary of Santa Caterina, Palazzo Chigi

Monteriggioni [GPS N:43.389487 - E:11.224399]
One of the best known Italian walled town. Since the Middle Age its fame was so big that also the great poet Dante Alighieri makes sign to his 'round enclosure' in the Divine Comedy

San Gimignano is a UNESCO World Heritage Site [GPS N: 43.4677 - E:11.043424]
A small walled medieval hill town, famous for its architecture, San Gimignano has managed to conserve fourteen towers of varying height which have become its international symbol.

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Setteponti area

Loro Ciuffenna (20 min by car) [GPS N:43.593248 - E:11.630702]
Charming medieval town on the slope of Monte Pratomagno; great for hiking and stunning scenery. Is listed on "the most beautiful villages in Italy" (I Borghi più belli d'Italia),

Pieve of Gropina [GPS N:43.581448 - E:11.638134]
The beautiful church is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Tuscany. Build before 774; under the floor of the present church are the remains of two smaller churches.

Il Borro - winery and restaurant [GPS N: 43.540453 - E:11.714972]
owned by Ferragamo family. The small village, the winery, the restaurant and the SPA are a nice place to spend a day.
http://ilborro.it/

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Fashion outlets

Prada Outlet (Space) [GPS N:43.512168 - E:11.59888]
Località Levanella Montevarchi, Toscana 52025
Prada headquarter are located in Montevarchi and here you can shop for Prada, Miu Miu, Church's and Car Shoe a good prices. Store is open every day, a nice bar is available for light lunch.

Dolce & Gabbana - outlet [GPS N:43.689357 - E:11.451595]
Pian dell'Isola Rignano Sull'Arno (FI)
Dolce & Gabbana production is based in the area

THE MALL [GPS N: 43.702164 - E:11.462281]
Via Europa Reggello
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN, ARMANI, BALENCIAGA, BOTTEGA VENETA, BURBERRY, DIOR, ZEGNA, FENDI, GUCCI, HOGAN, LORO PIANA, ROBERTO CAVALLI, SALVATORE FERRAGAMO, SERGIO ROSSI, TOD'S, VALENTINO, YVES SAINT LAURENT,

Barberino Designer Outlet [GPS N: 43.986037 - E:11.216998]
Via Meucci, Barberino di Mugello, Tuscany 50031

100 shops included: Adidas, Belstaff, Blumarine, Bose, Calvin Klein, Calzedonia, Roberto Cavalli, D&G, Diesel Kid, Furla, Geox, Lacoste, Polo Ralph Lauren, Puma, Timberland, Trussardi Jeans, Wrangler

Valdichiana Outlet Village [GPS N:43.225443 - E:11.804338]
Foiano della Chiana (Ar)

140 shops included : Adidas, Brums, Calvin Klein, Calzedonia - Intimissimi, Conte Of Florence, Gant, Gap, Guess, Henry Cotton's, Levi's - Dockers, Nike, Piquadro, Puma, Replay, Samsonite, Sisley

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Arezzo [car park Pietri GPS N:43.470207 E:11.883064]
Main sights: Piazza Grande, The Vasari Loggia, Episcopal Palace, Palazzo Cofani-Brizzolari, church of Santa Maria della Pieve. Arezzo has a starring role in Roberto Benigni's film "Life Is Beautiful"
Coffee, Wine Bar, Restaurants: Caffe' Dei Costanti, La Torre Di Gnicchie, Logge Vasari, Antica Osteria l’Agania


Cortona [GPS N: 43.275069 - E:11.985364]
One of the oldest hill towns in Tuscany, featured in the book "Under the Tuscan Sun".
Cortona's medieval streets are pleasant to wander and you'll be rewarded with fabulous views of the countryside

Tenimenti D'Alessandro - wine tasting and restaurant [GPS N: 43.234212 – E: 11.914697] (R)
Tenimenti d’Alessandro started from scratch on their beautiful vineyard holdings, near Cortona, by planting 50 hectares of vineyards based entirely on scientific analysis results from soil samples. This led them to wide planting of Chardonnay, Viognier and Syrah. So successful has their Tenuta Il Bosco Syrah been that the entire area around the winery and on towards Cortona and Arezzo was granted a DOC for Cortona Syrah. Tenimenti d'Alessandro has won a number of accolades.

Lucignano [GPS N: 43.274596 - E:11.746282]
represents a remarkably conserved medieval walled hill-top village, elliptical in shape; strategically located between Siena and Arezzo

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Chianti area
(1 day is not enough, before departure choose which places visit)

Castello Di Verrazzano - wine tasting and restaurant [GPS: N: 43.600412 - E:11.28526] (R)
The Castle of Verrazzano is located on a hilltop in the Chianti Classico area; its high position, over the Greve valley, was once of strategic-military importance; today is a wine producer http://www.verrazzano.com/

Greve in Chianti [GPS N:43.582439 - E:11.316843]
It is a small town, its interestingly shaped main square is the perfect location from which to wander around and visit
Falorni butcher's shop

Montefioralle [GPS N:43.580892 - E:11.304143]
Originally named Monteficalle, probably is name derives from the fig trees that covered the slopes of the hill around the castle. Today is listed on "the most beautiful villages in Italy".

Radda in Chianti [GPS N: 43.486385 - E:11.373167]
The Tuscan wine town makes a useful stop for refreshments while you're exploring this part of the Chianti Classico wine territory. An interesting town hall and a very photogenic fountain.

Castellina in Chianti (Castle of Castellina) [GPS N: 43.471396 - E: 11.285419]
Along the ancient walls an impressive underground tunnel used by the guards, now called Via della Volte. Visit the "Archeological Museum of Chianti" and a gelato in "via Fiorentina 4"

Castello Di Brolio - Winery [GPS N:43.414182 - E:11.462817] (R)
The castle rises at the center of boundless vineyards, from which since 1141 the Ricasoli distilled their famous wines,
place to grow old in the cellars inside the mighty walls of the fortress.

Capannelle - Winery [GPS N:43.473508 - E:11.435051] (R)
Via Capannelle Gaiole in Chianti
American James Sherwood bought Capannelle, a 16th-century Tuscan farmhouse to create a pioneering boutique winery, and set about blending some of Chianti’s most coveted wines.
http://www.capannelle.it/

Badia a Coltibuono (Abbey of the Good Harvest) - wine tasting and restaurant [GPS N:43.494659 - E:11.450758] (R)
Romanesque abbey that has been owned by Lorenza de' Medici's family. Wine has been produced here since the abbey was founded by Vallombrosan monks in the 11th century.

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Lucca, UNESCO World Heritage Site (90 min by car or train) [GPS N:43.845384 - E:10.506137]
Main sights:
A walks on the walls around the old town, Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, The Duomo di San Martino (the Cathedral), The Church of San Michele in Foro, The Basilica of San Frediano, Ducal Palace

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Pisa, UNESCO World Heritage Site (100 min by car or train) [GPS N:43.723258 - E:10.394691]
Main sights: Leaning Tower, Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), Knights' Square (Piazza dei Cavalieri), San Sisto church, The small church of Santa Maria della Spina, The Orto botanico di Pisa.

Parking:
The nearest parking to visit the leaning tower is in Via Cammeo 51 (the full name of the street is "Via Carlo Salomone Cammeo”) GPS: N 43.723854 E 10.391803

The square tower is beautiful but usually is full of tourist so if you have time I suggest to walk a little bit in the city that is lovely ! Suggested walking: https://goo.gl/maps/Lbroh

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Perugia (90 min by car or train) [GPS N:43.112176 - E:12.388779]
Main sights:
Palazzo dei Priori, Cathedral of San Lorenzo, Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria, Fontana Maggiore, San Pietro church, Basilica di San Domenico, Ipogeo dei Volumni, Etruscan Arch

Assisi, UNESCO World Heritage Site (100 min by car or train) [GPS N:43.070698 - E:12.61741]
Main sights: The Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi, The Franciscan monastery, Santa Maria Maggiore, The Cathedral of San Rufino, The Basilica of Saint Clare, Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli

Lake Trasimeno (60 min by car) [GPS N: 43.126848 - E:12.050842]
Trasimeno's castles: Castiglione del Lago, Passignano, Magione, Maggiore, and Polvese islands all have castles.

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Val D' Orcia UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Pienza, UNESCO World Heritage Site (60 min by car) [GPS N:43.076588 - E:11.679078]
The town conceived in 1459 by Pope Pius II.
Main sights:
Palazzo Piccolomini, The Duomo, Palazzo Vescovile, Palazzo Comunale, Borgia Palace.

Montalcino [GPS N:43.057914 - E:11.490108]
A classic fairytale hilltop town, set within a full circle of fortified walls. Montalcino is renowned all over the world for the production of its precious Brunello red wine.

St. Antimo Abbey (Abbazia di Sant'Antimo) [GPS N: 43.000065 - E:11.515601]
Località Sant'Antimo Castelnuovo dell'Abate, Toscana 53024
is a former Benedictine monastery, now inhabited by Canons Regular. The origins date to a small oratory built here, one the location of a former Roman villa, in 352 at the death of Anthimus.

Bagno Vignoni (thermal baths) [GPS N:43.028161 - E:11.618224]
Bagno Vignoni is famous for its thermal baths. It was popular with the Romans and rose to prominence again during the middle ages because of the proximity of the Via Francigena

Montepulciano [GPS N:43.092656, E: 11.780837]
Famous for its wines, especially the classic red wine Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
Wine tastings in the historic center: Contucci, Talosa, Cantina del Redi

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For Kids

Rapolano Terme - adventure park "Saltalbero" [GPS N:43.291248 - E:11.586482]
Loc. Fontemaggio, 25 - 53040 Rapolano Terme (SI)
tel. e fax 0577 725307 - cell. 348.5815842 / 338.9333977
http://www.saltalbero.it/

Horse riding - "Rendola Riding" [GPS N: 43.486819 - 11.551104] (R)
Rendola 66, Montevarchi, Arezzo
Tel 055/9707045
http://www.rendolariding.it/

Horse riding - "LA FORRA" [GPS N:43.493954 - E:11.487375] (R)
Montegonzi, Cavriglia
Tel. 055 966091 - 3288263542
http://www.laforra.it/

Water Park (small) - "Crocodile" [GPS N:43.325451 - E:11.767955]
Via Culle - Monte San Savino (AR)
http://acquaparkcrocodile.simp...

“Museo Leonardo da Vinci” in Florence [GPS N: 43.775913 - E: 11.259859]
Via dei Servi, 66/R-68/R - Firenze
Tel. 055 282966 www.mostredileonardo.com
http://kidsarttourism.com/en/m...

"Palazzo Vecchio Family Museum" [GPS N: 43.769598 - E:11.255775]
Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Firenze
Tel. 055 2768325 http://www.musefirenze.it/en/m...
http://kidsarttourism.com/en/m...

“Museo Leonardiano” in Vinci [GPS N: 43.78733 - E: 10.926567]
Piazza dei Guidi, Vinci
http://www.museoleonardiano.it...

"The Pinocchio Park" in Collodi [GPS N:43.899551 - E:10.651942]
Via S. Gennaro, 3 - 51014 Collodi Pescia (PT)
Tel 0572 429342
http://www.pinocchio.it/

Do not hesitate to ask for any kind of information you may need to better organize your Italian vacation