I ♥ LOVE ♥ learning with locals! For me it’s the essence and epitome of what I love most about travel and why I’m so passionate about sharing with you! Undoubtedly, it is my “happy place” (along with being in a museum)! And what could be better than legendary landscapes, out-of-this-world vino, prize winning olive oil, a magnificent repast and more, all shared with friends?

As your “boots on the ground in the boot”, I am now able to experience more, learn more…and ultimately, once we can travel again, offer more possibilities for YOU to choose from when YOU join us in Italy!

For the time being, due to Italy’s regional zone restrictions, I am not able to travel beyond Tuscany but thanks to being “yellow” and in anticipation of good weather, my delightful friends, Arianna and Alessio, KM Zero Tours, and I were able to set a date! After several months, we were finally able to make plans to day trip again on Saturday, February 6th, in Chianti Country. And, as it turned out everything fell into place!

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Meeting Locals with Locals: A Few (More) Words About Arianna and Alessio

Collaborating closely for several years, we have become close both personally and professionally. And, it is together as friends and travel partners that we co-create experiences/itineraries that, thanks to their close ties to their community and dedication to helping local artisans and producers, are always unique and tremendously rewarding. I’d say that’s a win-win, wouldn’t you? Everyone is enriched. Everyone benefits!

Here are highlights of our day together. We are looking forward to when you will be joining us!

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♦ Andiamo! Let’s Go!
Spring teased us with a perfect day as we set off from Firenze for a full day of delightful and informative visits in Chianti Country. Our focus? Olive oil and wine tasting with boutique/local producers, a heavenly pranzo, a visit to their new bottega, and, finally, an afternoon visit with more friends before returning to Florence…

Of course, soaking in the exquisite countryside is a given. My last visit in fall flaunted vistas of golden carpets but now the vines are bare, pruned and groomed in anticipation of spring. Nonetheless, the panoramas are still splendid and, without question, postcard perfect…

♦ THE View!
Literally, everywhere you look is a photo op! Leaving it to Arianna and Alessio, they know a perfect spot to pull over for photos. It just happens to be at the entrance to the Antinori estate. (If you don’t know the name Antinori, you haven’t been drinking enough Italian wine!)

It was the quaint chapel that caught my eye (restored by the Antinori family) but the view? Undeniably spectacular, wouldn’t you agree?

↓↓ CLICK HERE FOR OUR VIDEO ↓↓

⇒ Chianti Country Movie 1 – Antinori & the Countryside

♦ Greve: the ♥ Heart ♥ of Chianti Country
Back on the road, our first destination is the picturesque town of Greve in the heart of Chianti Country, We’re here to enjoy an olive oil tasting and as we find our way to Pruneti we stroll briefly through the main piazza where the weekly market is taking place. Lots of temptations but we have an appointment…

Market day stroll in Greve

♦ Pruneti: The “extra Gallery” is Ex-cellent!
The Pruneti family has been in the business of producing organic olive oil for many generations in the San Polo area of Chianti Country.

Welcome to the Pruneti “extra Gallery”

We are welcomed warmly to their extra Gallery by Sophia who will instruct and guide me through the tasting. If you’ve never done a proper olive oil tasting you’ll be surprised to know that it is much like wine tasting!

Olive oil tasting is much like wine tasting!

Basically: You only need a little bit of oil. You swirl it and cup the glass in your hands to get the oil to the proper temperature to release the aroma. Smell. Take a very small sip. “Slurp”. Swallow!

Different oils from different varietals of olives have different intensities and hence, like wine, are best when used and paired properly.

I’m given three (3) of the extra virgin oils to sample and invited to take notes as we sample each. Between the mildest (Leccino), the medium (Moraiolo), and boldest (Frantoio), it was hard to decide which to take home so I chose all three!

Pruneti also offers other delicious products and some of my favorites including Pate Olive Nere (black olive pate), Cuor Di Carciofi (artichoke hearts in extra virgin olive oil) and Olive Nere (black olives in extra virgin olive oil) also came home with me!

Next time (in warmer weather) we’ll return and sample one of their unusual cocktails! (Hmmm, I think I’ll start with the Negroni… or maybe the Olive Oil Spritz or …!?!?)

♦ Bella Borghi Montefioralle
We have a date for pranzo (lunch) but along the way, we have time for a short visit to another of so many charming (I know that word is overused but it’s so true!) villages… Montefioralle.

It isn’t hard to understand why Montefioralle is included as one of the most beautiful borghi in Tuscany, Italia.

 

We are both enchanted as we stroll along the main thoroughfare. Stopping for a few photos but respecting the privacy of the residents it’s a friendly tabby that comes to say hello. As we pause for a photo, she approaches…and unperturbed, leaps onto the wall and allows me to pet her for a few minutes then goes on her way… (I love cats so this is a highlight for me!!)

My tabby kitty encounter! Meow!

 

Next stop? Pranzo! Lunch time!

♦ Mamma Mia, A Casa Mia! Bring Your Appetite!
A few years ago Arianna and Alessio brought me to A Casa Mia. Well, let me say that it is an unforgettable experience and since they hadn’t been able to visit since last June, we were all very, very excited to be returning!

Why? Maurizio and Cosimo are two brothers that do it all at A Casa Mia! They welcome you, they wait on you, they cook, and they present a sumptuous homemade feast that they would call “simple” but I would say it is simply beyond description!

Located in the tiny village of Montefiridolfi, since 2003 Maurizio and Cosimo have carried on the tradition of their home, their family, their place and their passion. And they do it with dedication and love!

 

↓↓ CLICK HERE FOR OUR VIDEOS ↓↓

⇒ Chianti Country Chianti Country Movie 2 – At A Casa Mia

⇒ Chianti Country Movie 3 – Casa Mia Antipasti w Alessio

Buon appetito! Please CLICK on any photo for a detailed description of each deliziozo dish!

Are your taste buds tingling? Mouth watering? I would think so!!!

Satiated and oh-so-satisfied, I’m very excited to walk across the piazza for our next stop…

♦ “Bottega” KM Zero
It has been a very difficult year for everyone in the travel biz and, subsequently, for small producers and artisans. Not letting this deter them, Arianna and Alessio have created an ancillary business. In order to support their community of locals and also offer some of the best of Tuscany to their clients and contacts, they created fabulous gift boxes for Christmas.

And now, they are finalizing more themed gift boxes including Tuscan Wellness & Bliss for Women’s Day, Mother’s Day, an Italian Easter and MORE!

Arianna & Alessio show us their fabulous new gift boxes for Easter and Women’s & Mother’s Day!

The gift boxes are laden with beautiful locally sourced goodies that are edible, for personal use and keepers such as linens, ceramics, etc. Check out the photos and video and stay tuned for more details and how to order!

↓↓ CLICK HERE FOR OUR VIDEO ↓↓

⇒ Chianti Country Movie 4- Bottega KM Zero with Arianna & Alessio!

♦ Vallone Di Ceccione – Where Winemaking is a Family Affair!
When we were finalizing our day together I asked to have a winery included and I’m so glad that I did! They introduced me to meet Francesco at Vallone Di Ceccione, a family-run business near Panzano in the heart of Chianti Country.

The Anichini family has been part of this land for over 100 years and producing under their own label since 2004. They are totally committed to the organic (biologico) and bio-dynamic farming and production methods of their Chianti Classico and other varietals.

During our visit, Francesco proudly shared his family story as well as about the vines, this special golden valley and the uniqueness of their land. His father, 84, was hard at work pruning the vines while his mother made her granddaughter Allegra, a snack. Definitely a family affair!

I sampled several of their wines learning about their production, uniqueness, and optimal food pairing.I especially love that every label features family photos!

Of course, I left with two (2) bottles – their 2018 Chianti Classico and the rare 2019 Canaiolo! Cin cin and to your health famiglia Anichini!

♦ Last on Our Itinerary? Miranda & Massimo!!
We enjoyed catching up over tea with Miranda and Massimo…the perfect finale to a perfect day!

I’ll be sharing more about Miranda and Massimo in future posts and when you come to visit and stay for several days, they will also be your hosts at their lovely agriturismo!

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Wish you were here? Of course you do! And so do we!

And we are here to assist you every step along the way! Day trips, multi-day itineraries…all focusing around your interests, preferences and budget!

♦ When you are ready and able to travel, we are here for YOU! ♦

Victoria’s Italy Trip & Tour Design Services
Friends of Victoria, 
KM Zero

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