The fortified hilltop village Barberino Val d'Elsa lies in the heart of the famous Chianti area, a region stretching between Florence and Siena (both cities are only 1/2 hours drive by car), and in easy reach of Lucca, Pisa, San Gimignano, Volterra and Arezzo, all to be reached in less than one hour by car.

	View from the terrace of the Palazzetto in Barberino

Princess Giorgiana Corsini lets two houses - Palazzetto and Tafania - in Barberino Val d'Elsa. The first is a gentleman's abode whithin the village walls of Barberino with a beautiful garden at the back of the house opening onto exquisite views of endless rolling hills and the skyline of San Gimignano in the distance.

The second - Tafania - is the dream of the classical Tuscan stone farmhouse, lying outside the village of Barberino in complete privacy with wonderful views on all four sides of the house.

The village of Barberino has two bars, a bank, a small shop, an excellent butcher, a restaurant, a wine bar, a hairdresser, a chemistry, a post office and a small supermarket. In the village Tavarnelle, 2 kms north, you will find a wider range of shops as well as a market once a week.

Restaurants: eating out is a way of getting to know the area. Simple local trattorias rub their shoulders with more sophisticated restaurants specialised in refined cuisine. Fresh local produce allways plays the leading role. You will find a list of our favourites in the house.

Giorgiana Corsini, the owner of the Barberino estate

Lesser known cultural gems: Famous for its wines - the Chianti Classico - this area of Tuscany has more than just world-class oenological pleasures to offer. The curious visitor will come accross many delightful villages, each of them with a history of its own. Let us simply mention lesser known gems such as the romanesque church of Sant'Appiano, the Saturday market in the small town of Greve, the Basilica of Impruneta, the fortified castle of Monteriggioni and the roofless romanesque abbey of San Galgano which are all close by.

Local craftsmanship: hand-made terracotta pots from Impruneta, hand painted pottery from Montelupo, mouth-blown crystal glass from the neighbouring village Colle Val d'Elsa, not to mention the south bank of the Arno river in Florence where you will find a multitude of craftsmen working silver, leather, wood, glass, paper and metal.


Sports: you can explore the Barberino area on horseback, scooters or mountain bikes which can be rented in the village. The local tennis club has 2 well-kept courts which can be booked by the hour