Tuscany
Itineraries and tips
Countryside
The Historic Residence Ottantotto Firenze naturally looks out toward Porta Romana, the southern gateway to the Oltrarno district and thus toward the famous Tuscan countryside, that noble and enchanting work of art that has evolved over the centuries, thanks to the respectful and skilled hands of people, from the farmers of yesteryear to today’s agriculturalists. A tapestry of villages, estates, villas, palaces and castles unfolds like a marvelous collection of jewels set among lush hills planted with olive trees and vines. A special place for an excursion, where the natural surroundings blend perfectly with a glorious past and the historical-architectural charm of the residences and small villages.
The entire Chianti region is definitely worth a visit; the Castello di Brolio and the villages of Volpaia and Montefioralle best capture the charm of Tuscany. Certaldo is equally stunning, with the red hues of its buildings blending with the green of the surrounding countryside. And if you wish to honor the Tuscan genius, Vinci is certainly a must-see, with a mandatory stop at Leonardo’s house. Although he was born in Florence, he spent his entire childhood here and the beautiful museum dedicated to him is particularly suited for families and groups of all ages.
The most famous and majestic are Volterra and San Gimignano, each offering a glimpse into Etruscan Tuscany and the Communal Period, when rival families vied for supremacy by building imposing tower houses, a feature that has earned San Gimignano the nickname “the Manhattan of the Middle Ages.” And how could we not mention Monteriggioni, that is “crowned with towers” a destination on the Via Francigena, where it is wonderful to rest after a long journey.
And then there’s Colle Val d’Elsa, Vicopisano, Badia a Passignano, all the way to the most famous destinations and provincial capitals with their treasures: Pisa, Siena, Arezzo and further north, Lucca, Pistoia and Prato, the only one among all the Tuscan cities to preserve an imperial castle within its historic center. Don’t forget to visit Collodi, the village that gave its stage name to Carlo Lorenzini, author of “Pinocchio”—the story is set right here in this village—and the amazing “Gori Collection” at the Fattoria di Celle in the Pistoia countryside, one of the most important collections of contemporary environmental art in Europe.
In each of these places, there’s only one thing to do: get lost! So set out from Ottantotto for surprising day trips in Tuscany, a wonderful blend of villages and cities, nature and art. At the end of the day, when you return to your room, you’ll find an intimate and welcoming space, where you can linger in the secret tranquility of our garden, ready to set out again the next day for new itineraries and discoveries...
