Not only are we immersed in the Tuscan countryside, we are also in a really convenient position for day trips or visits to museums, churches and ancient monuments. You can reach the most beautiful cultural destinations by car in an hour at most.
If you like, as art lovers we can also suggest an itinerary of one or more days, in search of traces of the past.
It takes less than an hour to reach Florence. A veritable open-air museum and listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site for its historical centre, which is rich in Gothic, Ancient Roman and Renaissance masterpieces. Its innermost area hosts so many museums, churches, antique palazzi and magnificent gardens, that it has been defined a “widespread museum”.
Another classic cultural destination is Siena, less than an hour from the resort.
Gothic capital, Siena has been a UNESCO Heritage Site since 1995. The historical centre still hosts the ancient Palio horserace and organises more than 600 major events, from art exhibitions to music festivals.
It’s also worth visiting Volterra, a 40-minute drive away. Few know that it’s an Etruscan and Ancient Roman city and that it embodies 3000 years of history. Its enormously valuable artistic heritage includes an amphitheatre from the Roman imperial age; a small Colosseum that, outside of Rome, is among the most beautiful and best-preserved in Italy; the Etruscan Acropolis and Necropolis.
This picturesque mediaeval hamlet with houses perched on the steep hillside, is about 1 hour and 20 minutes from the resort. It’s the birthplace of Carlo Collodi – author of the book “The Adventures of Pinocchio” – and is famous for its Pinocchio Monumental Park, an attraction that appeals not only to children, but also to adults, because in addition to fun, it’s a beautiful art and architecture park.
Vinci, an hour’s drive from us, is the birthplace of the inventor and engineer, Leonardo da Vinci. The home where he was born is 3 km from the hamlet (also reachable on foot along an ancient path known as the “Strada Verde”), surrounded by a gorgeous, centuries-old olive grove, which together with the Leopardi Library is an important cultural destination for discovering the works and inventions of the Tuscan genius.
For an itinerary away from the canonical tourist routes, we suggest a visit to Monteriggioni (about 35 minutes from the resort) and Certaldo Alto (about 10 minutes away).
Portal to the Middle Ages, the magnificent mediaeval Sienese hamlet situated next to softly rolling hills, reveals its ancient military and defensive functions with the city walls that surround the whole town.
Certaldo Alto, hometown of the 14th century Tuscan writer, Boccaccio, and awarded the “Bandiera Arancione” (Orange Flag) recognition of quality by the Touring Club, is one of the most evocative mediaeval hamlets in the Tuscan countryside, located halfway between Florence and Siena. Also known as “Castello”, or castle, because of the city walls that surround it – which enclose the Casa del Boccaccio Museum – on to which the ancient city gates open and give access to the town.
The resort is set amongst vineyards and olive groves in the Chianti area, with interesting places to visit and explore: Greve in Chianti, with the Wine Museum; Castellina in Chianti, of Etruscan origin, with its renowned Archaeological Museum of Sienese Chianti. Barberino Val D’Elsa with its large city walls, Gaiole in Chianti, which hosts one of the biggest cellars in the Chianti Classico area.
Wine tastings are offered by many wine bars (enoteche), some restaurants and also by the wineries themselves.
Please ask us about Chianti wine tastings, with or without a car, and we’ll give you all the information you need to create an itinerary in the “Chianti Classico” production zone.
The green of the olive groves can also be alternated with the blue of the sea. You can travel towards the coast and visit, for example, the Gulf of Baratti, with a small but (almost) pristine stretch of nature that meanders between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Ligurian Sea.
In the southernmost part of the gulf you come across the necropolis within the Archaeological Park of Baratti and Populonia.
Hire your preferred car from our Partners! We are partnered with the best car hire agencies in the area and we guarantee a hassle-free pick up and drop off at the hotel, airport or wherever you prefer.
For information and contacts, we are at your disposal at +39 0577 955100 or info@villasanpaolo.com
You can recharge your car at the hotel for free! We participate in the Tesla Motors – Destination Charging programme and we have 2 charging stations available: one specifically for Tesla cars and the other, universal. Both are 22 Kw, reserved for our Guests.
Have you ever been on a day trip by Vespa? If you like all things unusual and original, then try it!
Explore the evocative roads of Tuscany astride a legend of the past and present.
The Vespa is an all-Tuscan product and we’re proud of it. In Pontedera, just half an hour from us, you can even visit the Vespa Museum! For info and hire, call us on: +39 0577 955100.