Despite its quiet location “I Gelsi” lies centrally between important art-historical places of Tuscany: Florence 25 km, Arezzo 40 km, Siena 60 km, and is within easy reach of the A1 motorway. The nearest town is Figline Valdarno 3kms away, a lively small medieval town with an attractive weekly market and medieval attractions, you will find all amenities including train station with frequent direct trains into Florence (travel time 20 mins), Arezzo, Orvieto, Perugia, Assisi, San Giovanni, Lago Trasimeno, Roma or you can travel into Firenze and change to travel into many other cities such as Lucca.
Dai Gelsi si può partire per un tour del Chianti,un territorio che si estende fra Firenze e Siena, collinare, ricco di boschi e piccoli paesi medievali, castelli e antiche chiese, lungo vigneti e oliveti. Greve, Radda, Castellina, sono alcuni dei paesi caratteristici che si incontrano lungo la strada e che meritano una sosta. Nel Chianti vi sono le maggiori fattorie di produzione vinicola, dove si possono degustare i vini, gli oli e i salumi ed arrivare così fino a Siena e a San Gimignano; é un giro affascinante, in mezzo ad arte, cultura e gastronomia.
SHOPPING
Just 20 mins drive from I Gelsi : The Mall luxury outlet with brands like Gucci, Hogan, Burberry, and more; Dolce & Gabbana Factory Outlet; Prada; La Cuoieria Fiorentina artisan quality leather products; Fashion Valley luxury brand outlet with names like Hermes, Viviene Westwood, Longines, and many more.
Just over half an hour drive: Outlet Village Val di Chiana with 140+ shops and Barberino del Mugello Designer Outlet with 40+ shops.
DAY EXCURSIONS
Many of Tuscany’s cultural gems and leading centres of the Italian Renaissance are less than 30mins by train Florence 20 minutes Arezzo 30 minutes Siena, San Gimignano and Montalcino approximately one hour by car. Montepulciano e Pienza one hour and thirty minutes by car.
Pisa and Lucca one hour and thirty minutes by car.
FOOD AND WINE
Not to miss are Greve in Chianti and Radda in Chianti home to the world famous Chianti Classico wine. Panzano, which boasts numerous restaurants and wine bars is idealically set in the Chianti hills. Chianti is brimming with small wineries which produce not only wine but olive oil, cheese, salamis and many other organic products.
ACTIVITIES & EXCURSIONS
Visiting castles, with wine-tasting and lunch prepared using typical products. Hiking in the Chianti hills, among woods and vineyards. Courses: cooking, wine-tasting, horseback riding, Italian language and culture. Thermal baths at Rapolano Terme. Tours in hot-air balloons, canoeing, photo safaris, golf courses. Weekly outdoor markets and antique shows, festivals featuring typical products, medieval historical processions. Train and bus links to Florence and Siena. Chianti roads are very beautiful, winding through vineyards and woods, but are also narrow and crooked.
SPORTS
Horseback riding: Vecchio Texas Horse Ranch is an equestrian centre just 5 min drive from I Gelsi and organizes horseback riding for adults and children through the surrounding hills with expert guides. Reservations are required. Loc. San Michele a Pavelli, Figline Valdarno (FI) tel: 055 959126; 339 4890151; 339 3400585.
Golf: Circolo Golf Club Dell’Ugolino is one of the oldest 18 hole golf clubs in Italy and member of Golf Club d’Italia.Via Chiantigiana, 3 – 50015 Grassina (Firenze) tel. 055 2301009 fax 055 2301141 .
Fitness centre: Olympian’s Gym with various daily, weekly or multiple membership possibilities. Via fiorentina 72, Figline Valdarno (FI) tel: 055959016
Archery: A.S.D. Arcieri di Avalon – Learn one of the oldest and most faschinating sports in the Valdarno hillside with instructors from the organization’s Archery School. Reservations are required. Via Riguzze – Castelfranco di Sopra (AR) tel.:335 7805400
Minigolf: Via Vetri Vecchi 24/A, 52027 San Giovanni Valdarno (AR) tel: 055 940644.
Bowling Valdarno: Strada Provinciale Botriolo, 52020 Castelfranco di Sopra (AR) tel: 055 9149850
