Radda in Chianti, Italy

A ridge 22km south of Greve is occupied by the well-heeled village of Castellina in Chianti, whose walls and fortress bear testimony to an embattled past on the frontline between Florence and Siena. From Castellina, the SS429 branches east, through the most beautiful Chianti landscape, to RADDA IN CHIANTI. The street plan of this minuscule town is centred on Piazza Ferrucci, where the frescoed and shield-studded Palazzo Comunale faces a church raised on a high platform.

The tourist office lurks behind the church, on the corner of Piazza del Castello (Mon– Sat 10am–1pm & 3–7pm, Sun 10.30am-12.30pm). Stylish accommodation is on offer at the three-star Hotel Podere Le Vigne (Tel:0577.738.640, Web: www.tuscany.net/vigne ; Price: € 101-125), a converted farm located a kilometre outside Radda, just off the road between Radda and the hamlet of Villa a Radda; in addition to the rooms at the former farm, Le Vigne has some plainer (and much cheaper) but still very pleasant accommodation in the centre of Radda, and there's a good restaurant at the main site, where you'll pay around € 40 each.