A weekend in Florence & Chianti
We flew from London City Airport directly into Florence on the early morning service with Cityjet - just 1hr 50 mins and a 15 min. taxi ride and we were warmly greeted at the discreet entrance to the Four Seasons and shown to our palatial Deluxe rooms overlooking 5 hectares of private,walled gardens. In the heart of historic Florence, just 10 mins walk from Brunelleschi's iconic Duomo and the main shopping areas and Piazzas, the Four Seasons is a peaceful haven. The 15th and 16th century palazzos with just 116 rooms and suites have been lovingly restored using the most sumptuous fabrics, hand-painted frescoes and friezes, mixed with modern comforts. The hotel also boasts fine dining with an imaginative Tuscan cuisine.
During our 48 hrs in this stunningly beautiful renaissance city we managed to visit the Accademia Museum of Fine Arts where the Michelangelos David is now housed, having been moved from its previous outdoor location on the Piazza della Signoria. Today the gallery also houses the artist's 4 unfinished Prisoners. We dined at Cibreo, arguably Florence's most famous restaurant offering traditional Tuscan cuisine from one of Italy's best chef's Fabio Picchi. My Guinea-fowl cooked in chocolate and sultanas was to die for !! Our 2nd morning we decided to take a trip up to the village of Greve in Chianti well known for its many hectares of vines producing the delicious Chianti wines. It is also well respected locally for its Wild Boar Salumis and hams which we snacked on in the village square with the odd glass of the red stuff !!! Lunch at the neighbouring Castello Verrazzano where much of the wine is produced along with olive oil and balsalmic vinegar, was a delightfully long affair !
Our 2 days sped by just too quickly, however I did manage to do a little shopping and arrived home with a new handbag - Well you just can't go to Florence and return without one can you ?!!!!