keepsakechianti

The Chianti Region
The Florentine Chianti
The name of Chianti was hisrorically referred to a district formed by a medieval Florentine "League", which originally included the municipalities of Radda, Gaiole and Castellina (now in the province of Siena). It was only in the 18th century that the name was extended to the municipal territory af Greve in Chianti. The area of the florentine Chianti now usually identified with the area of praduction of the Chianti Classical Wine (the so called "Gallo Nero"), includes the territories of the towns of Greve, San Casciano VaI di Pesa, Tavarnelle VaI di Pesa and Barberino Val d'Elsa

These are some simple not famous or famous things I have done in the Chianti, not from a touristic perspective (even if there is the touristic aspect) but from the perspective of a person who lives here and that can show you the real way of life of people here. I'm like a reporter on this wonderful land.

As in the past a swim in the lake
Take it easy. After a long journey, a very frustrating visit in an overcrowded museum, a bad lunch in hurry to be ready for the next visit what is better than a relaxing sun bath or a swim in the perfect place ?
I'm speaking of the Badia Lake. It is not easy to find it anyway. It is an artificial little lake near the abbey of Passignano (another small village). You have to reach Badia a Passignano and you can also stop there to buy something to eat at the restaurant bar "La Scuderia" along the main road. I have to tell you that the wine there is not so good.
To reach the lake take the first road on the right. A very little country road with many dust if you go fast.
Go on for quite 500 m than before a very very little bridge you have to enter in the country, litterally off-road and going on only for 100 m. Than the prudence suggest to leave the car under the trees to still have a car to come back. If you have a truck or a jeep you can enjoy the latest 50 m of very rocky and damaged truk to finally reach the dreamed lake.
There is no sand but you can be enough comfortable on a towel. The Chianti region is quite dry in the summer so you can enjoy a nice water until the half of july. After that time the level of the water decrease and there is very little to swim and in a water that is not very nice.
Then you are surrounded by a wood and if there is some wind you can enjoy and refresh yourself.
The water is never cold and the only problem may be that it goes in deep rapidly so if you are not a very good swimmer keep yourself out of the water. That is not a place where you can have a swim. Sometimes police come to see if anybody have a swim ..... But .... how to resist ? So be prepared to fight hard to get a place to lye or to gain the possession of a tree in the water. After a day at the lake you really understand a little bit more of the Chianti way of life.