Authentic Tuscan Town – Radda in Chianti
“A holiday in Tuscany” sounds idyllic, but finding an authentic Tuscan town requires research.
The British have been vacationing in the Chianti region of Tuscany for so long that it is sometimes referred to as “Chiantishire.” Americans have been arriving in droves since they read Frances Mayes’ Under the Tuscan Sun. The result is that some towns have become very touristy. San Gimignano, for instance, is frequently clogged with tour buses.
Un-touristy Tuscany
Not Radda in Chianti. This beautiful hill town where we recently rented a villa is still an authentic Tuscan town visited by travelers, not tourists.
Here, the old women assemble in late afternoon and park themselves on benches where they watch their grandkids swinging and sliding on play equipment. Visiting children join the fun, but are not in the majority.
When we walked around the side streets of this authentic Tuscan town admiring the blooming geraniums, locals shared gardening tips and – in some cases – introduced us to their pets.
The arches of old stone buildings frame views of the surrounding hillsides covered in a patchwork of vineyards, cypress trees, and lush green forests.
Life in an authentic Tuscan town: Radda’s farmers’ market is held in the town square once a week.
Atmosphere and all the “mod cons”
In addition to ambience, Radda (pop. 1,720) also offers convenience: a supermarket, a pharmacy, an internet hotspot, a bank with an ATM, and several gourmet groceries for premium wines, cheeses, olive oil, and more. Everything feels authentic – especially the shops, where I purchased beautiful ceramic dishes hand-painted with traditional motifs.
Radda in Chiant, an authentic Tuscan town, is home to Colle Bereto Winery.
How to rent a villa in this authentic Tuscan town
We rented our villa from Parker Villas and were very pleased with the results. This vacation rental house was just what we needed – three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a beautiful pool. However, since we were there, the owners (who are wonderful) have started renting it out themselves. To learn more and to make a reservation, go to the Poggio della Villa website.
La Doce Vita
Most afternoons during our stay in Radda, our family stopped at the local gelateria and tried yet another of their wonderful flavors.
Sweets aren’t normally on my menu, but here in this authentic Tuscan town they just seemed a natural part of la dolce vita.
Ciao,
Category: Italy, Vacation Rentals
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