Surroundings: Villa near Firenze in Toscana, Barberino Val d'Elsa

Barberino Val d'Elsa, a small and enchanting medieval village surrounded by green hills of Chianti, offers a beautiful landscape with its vineyards and olive groves. Its history is linked to that of the city of Semifonte, destroyed in 1202 by the Florentines, about which it is said that the stones of the walls of Semifonte have been used to build the walls of Barberino.

Its urban form is elliptical and the two access gateways, Porta Fiorentina and Porta Senese of the town have been retained. Among the places to be seen are the fascinating Palazzo del Podesta with the faade decorated with the coats of arms of the ruling, the ancient hospital for pilgrims founded in 1363 to give shelter and hospitality to pilgrims heading towards Rome, now transformed into a modern library, the Palazzo del Cardinale and the Church of San Bartolomeo, rebuilt in neo-Gothic style in 1910.

Nearby are the ruins of Semifonte, created as imperial fortress reached its peak between 1182 and 1202 as a commercial centre given its location along the Via Francigena, as well as the Chapel of San Michele Arcangelo in Semifonte, eighth Dome of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence and for this reason is also known as the Dome of the Val d'Elsa. Pieve di Sant'Appiano, a splendid Romanesque with three naves with arches and columns, Borgo di Tignano, San Donato in Poggio and Badia a Passignano are also nearby.

Conveniently located halfway between Florence and Siena, Barberino is the ideal starting point for guests to explore artistic cities such as Pisa, Lucca and Arezzo, and the most beautiful tourist resorts such as San Gimignano with its towers, beautiful Pienza with many shops selling typical local shops, Montalcino - home of Brunello, Colle Val d'Elsa and Monteriggioni, Buonconvento and Val d'Orcia.

Driving along the Chiantigiana, you reach the beautiful Castellina in Chianti, then proceed to Castelnuovo Berardenga that is worth a visit, and later go to Rapolano Terme, a must visit for those who wish to experience the atmosphere of the Crete Senesi and revitalise your body with the waters of the Terme di San Giovanni and Antica Querciolaia Spa Complex.

Do not miss the Chianti Classico with Greve in Chianti, Panzano, Radda and Gaiole with wine tasting at all farms.

And for those who cannot live without shopping, the ideal destinations are the Valdichiana Outlet Village in Foiano della Chiana and Barberino Designer Outlet in Barberino del Mugello.