Passignano

Chianti really is an incredibly picturesque part of the world and is known for this. It is a land of rolling hills, lush countryside, endless vineyards, charming and historic medieval hilltop towns and castles. Around every bend in the road, you are likely to discover a new and stunning vista, a characteristic town with plenty of charms and things going for it or a beautiful and historic architectural and cultural gem to explore.

One such example of this is the photogenic Abbazia di San Michele Arcangelo a Passignano, located near Florence. Just find a luxury villa in Chianti and explore this stunning Tuscan abbey for yourself.

Known as Badia a Passignana, the abbey is located on the road from Greve in Chianti to Sambuca in Chianti and belongs to the Benedictine Order of the Abbey of Vallombrosa. This picturesque monastic complex is readily identifiable by its romantic fortified towers on the corners and was founded in 1049 by San Giovanni Gualberto. Among the buildings that make up the complex, some of them are particularly lovely, such as the 12th century church of San Michele Arcangelo. This church has paintings by Domenico Crespi and is formed of a single nave on a Latin cross plan. It was rebuilt in the 16th, 18th and early 19th centuries and was the one part of the complex that remained under the care of the monks after the rest was sold off to the government in the 19th century. Another highlight of the abbey is the amazing major fresco of the “Last Supper” by the Ghirlandaio brothers.

Interestingly, the romantic defensive features that make the abbey so distinctive were actually added more recently, in the 19th century, by a private individual who purchased the estate from the government and are not actually original features. However, in October 1986, the Abbey of Passignano was restored to the Benedictine monks of Vallombrosa and is now occupied once more by a small community of Vallombrosan monks. It is these monks who will show you around and give you a tour of the estate today. The abbey can sometimes be visited on Sundays at 3 pm, with tours departing from the church. To avoid disappointment, ensure that the abbey is open on the Sunday you plan to visit it and make an appointment by calling +39 055 80 71 278.

To avoid the tourist crowds and explore a stunning and lesser-known cultural gem in Tuscany, pencil in a trip to the Abbey of Passignano.

The Chianti region of Tuscany is the most famous wine region of Italy and is home to countless incredible wineries producing delicious Tuscan wines. However, if you have found a villa in Florence or a villa in Siena and are looking for a nearby winery in Chianti to visit, then one that we recommend and one of the most picturesque and charming that you could possibly hope to visit is in the region is the Villa Spoiano. Browse our amazing villas in Chianti and get planning a foodie trip to Tuscany that includes plenty of delicious local wines and a wine-tasting session to help you learn more about the history and production of wine in the region in this special gem of a winery.

Alpacas are fluffy, adorable, somewhat strange-looking South American mammals that look not unlike Llamas and are often confused for them. They are, however, noticeably smaller. Herd animals, they are bred for their wool and are often aloof but become more friendly when raised in places such as petting zoos or farms where they interact regularly with humans. Many people the world over have fallen for their charms and Alpaca farms are increasingly common across the globe. In fact, if you have found a luxury villa in Florence and you have a fondness for the lovely animals or kids you want to treat to an outing that they'll surely enjoy, then you'll be glad to find out that there is a wonderful Alpaca farm located nearby that makes for a perfect family day out! Escape the museums and the hustle and bustle of the city for a day to visit the Valle degli Alpaca (Valley of the Alpacas) in Barberino Val d'Elsa, a lovely town in the metropolitan area of Florence, and enjoy some fresh air, lunch, and hanging out with these cute creatures. Children (or those who are young at heart) in the group will thank you for it!