A little piece of Tuscan paradise, on the very doorstep of the famous Chianti region. You’ll enjoy the ease and comfort of this elegant family apartment called Solata. The many facilities the La Selva estate offers are a real holiday plus and you’ll love the location and the wide, glorious views too! Solata is three minutes walk from the estate’s huge swimming pool and barely two minutes walk from the estate office - where you'll find the capable and friendly Francesca always willing to help and to share her vast local knowledge. The apartment forms part of a large house, just across the quiet country lane leading to the main complex.

This apartment is part of the prestigious La Selva wine estate. La Selva was established by the Medici in the 15th century. Today it covers 300 very picturesque acres. Since 1988, a team of dedicated enologists (wine experts, in case you were wondering!) has been developing the 75 acre vineyard on La Selva’s gently rolling hills. Their mission was to produce wines of “absolute quality”and it’s been an outstanding success - thus a holiday at La Selva isn’t merely about a nice holiday apartment in a fine setting. You’ll be staying at one of Tuscany’s premier wineries!

La Selva’s lovingly tended Cabernet Sauvignon vines produce a full, velvety red wine which is aged in oak to develop intense notes of toasted almonds, vanilla and black currants - we think you’ll love it! If you’re not too busy developing your tan by the pool, you can check out their full range of excellent wines - their Vin Santo and Chianti D.O.C.G. are superb. Pop into the estate office and book yourselves a trip around their cantina, followed by a guided wine tasting through their entire range of wonderful wines - what a holiday experience! And the “extras” at La Selva don’t stop at wonderful wine. Apart from the swimming pool or walks in the sylvan hills, there’s also a fine tennis court, ping pong and a picturesque lake for boating and fishing. This is a great place to entertain the kids and ensure the adults are well catered for too!

La Selva is at the very gateway into Chianti. Having sampled the wines on your own estate, you’ll be ready to explore the many castles and cantinas all around. Head to the medieval town of Castelnuovo Berardenga, a mere 10 km away. Having taken in the sights there and lingered over cappuccino e cornetto con la crema in the village square, you’ll probably want to carry on into the Chianti hills. If so, pause at the fantastic castle of Brolio - now that’s a castle that really looks like a castle! If you rang ahead to book a wine tasting in their huge cantina, then drive straight in, otherwise ring the bell for an outside visit. Their restaurant is very fine, the views from the castle are even finer and the owner’s name is sheer delight: Baron Bettino Ricasoli Firidolfi! Having enjoyed Brolio, carry on to Gaiole and maybe you’ll want to take in the formal gardens at Badia a Coltibuono too - an ancient monastery with another outstanding restaurant and a shop selling their wonderful cold pressed olive oil and some temptingly collectable Tuscan pottery. Radda is yet another nearby Chianti must-see. All this is within just 30 km of your comfortable apartment Solata.

You are more or less equidistant from Siena and Arezzo if you want to seek out some of Tuscany’s great art and wonderful architecture. Florence is 45 km away and makes for a wonderful day exploring art galleries and museums and shopping in the Florentine markets. Or leave the A1 at Incisa (15 km before Florence) and head for a naughty indulgence instead ...? Incisa is home to “The Mall” and a host of other high fashion, low cost outlets. You could spend a very happy day trying on Armani, D&G, Valentino and many tempting others. And don’t forget to stop off at the Cuoieria Fiorentina (200 metres from the Incisa exit) to get a matching bag or briefcase and maybe a leather coat or a pair of trousers? With luck and a little perseverance, you’ll find some real bargains!

After all this sightseeing you may want to hurry home to your barbecue or perhaps you'd prefer to eat out - you'll find there are plenty of eateries close to Solata. A 15 minute downhill walk will bring you to La Leccarda, a huge and well organised trattoria. Or a 3 km walk (or drive?) up the hill will get you to the charming little village of Montebenichi with its excellent trattoria. Ambra is the next town along, just 4 km from the La Selva estate. where you’ll find shops, banks, bars and a pizzeria. Or head straight for the little restaurant there for an inexpensive treat. Carry on and you’ll be at Montevarchi in 10 minutes. The town’s Thursday morning market is another excellent bargain-hunting opportunity.

Solata will wrap you in happy comfort under the glorious Tuscan Sun!