The best day of your life deserves a special location.

Between villas, resorts and historic buildings, have you ever thought of celebrating your wedding in a castle in Tuscany?

The magical and timeless atmosphere of an authentic medieval castle will make you feel like the protagonists of a beautiful fairy tale. But how to choose the right location for your wedding in Tuscany? Not all castles offer the same comforts and the same suggestive atmosphere.

Here are our tips for you.

Castles for weddings in Tuscany: how to choose?

AUTHENTIC ATMOSPHERE

Getting married in a castle is the dream of many couples, because it is a location that offers a magical and solemn atmosphere, princely and regal, just as if you were in a fairy tale from another time.
However, it is important that the castle in Tuscany you choose for your wedding has been preserved in respect of its authentic structure. The massive stone walls, the niches, the wooden stairs are precious details, necessary to have an authentic and fairy-tale atmosphere. Any castle in Tuscany that has been modernized and restored without taking care of the authenticity of its structure will never offer the same magical atmosphere.

SPACES AND CAPACITIES

Celebrating your wedding in a castle in Tuscany is certainly a unique experience, but it is also important to evaluate the practicality of the solutions offered. It is useless to choose a castle that is a small party favor if you are planning to host two hundred people!
Therefore, carefully evaluate the available spaces in a structure and, above all, get informed about its maximum capacity to see if it is in line with your list of guests.
Furthermore, if you want some guests to stay for the night, you will have to choose a castle in Tuscany for weddings that also offers the possibility of booking rooms.

SERVICES AND CATERING

Everything has to be perfect for your wedding, so it’s important to be informed about the additional services offered by the castle. Where will the aperitif be served? And how will the buffet be organized? What about entertainment? Every detail must be carefully planned.
And don’t forget that catering is a key aspect of any wedding. Before choosing the castle in Tuscany that will frame your most beautiful day, also make sure that the catering service they offer is in line with what you are looking for. Not everyone is able to offer a menu for many people, but opting for external catering is certainly more difficult and less practical.

The castle of Gargonza for your wedding in Tuscany

The Castello di Gargonza is the ideal location for a fairy-tale wedding in Tuscany. It is located in a strategic position, a few kilometers from the city of Arezzo, between Chianti and Val di Chiana, immersed in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.

The Castle has been maintained in perfect condition and every detail has been preserved with great care, to keep its medieval history and atmosphere intact.

It has numerous rooms and apartments to welcome your guests with comfort and catering is served by La Torre di Gargonza Restaurant, which allows you to find the perfect menu for any style and preference. And you can take advantage of the splendid outdoor green spaces for your ceremony (both civil and religious), for the aperitif and/or the buffet.

If you want to organize your wedding in the Gargonza Castle in Tuscany, write to us for more information.

Stop lunch for Boris Fantechi and the Motogiro group…

From north of Italy and down the appenines 40 bikers reached Gargonza for a lunch. Great to have you back guys!

Visiting Tuscany by quad bike is an exciting experience that we recommend if you are in our region. Tuscany is world-renowned for its distinctive landscape: hills dotted with cypress trees, endless vineyards, medieval towns perched on hilltops and lush forests create a fascinating landscape. Finding yourself immersed in this wonder aboard an quad bike will be an unforgettable and adrenaline-pumping adventure!

If you feel ready to experience something out of the box and explore Tuscany in a unique way, then read on!

What is a quad and who can ride it?

You probably already know what it is, but here is in detail what a quad bike is and how it is ridden. Basically we could call it a motorcycle, but with four wheels!

These are vehicles designed to be able to move easily over any kind of terrain, even the roughest, steepest and bumpiest ones: aboard a quad bike in Tuscany you will be able to deal with dirt, forest paths, gravel and even stone. If this is your first experience, it is best to choose a Quad Utility, characterized by having only one gear. This means that the driver will only have to worry about braking and accelerating.

The only thing that is important to know is that the quad bike can only be driven by those with an A or B license.

Quad tours in Tuscany: how do they take place?

And now that you know what it’s all about and how to ride, let’s see how the quad bike tours in Tuscany are conducted.

Initially, there is a short briefing provided by experienced guides who will give all the information about how the quad bike works, the route, and especially the safety rules. If you have any questions, this is the time to ask them. At this point, depending on the itinerary you have chosen, you are off! Quad tours in Tuscany are conducted in groups and there is always a guide present who will not only be available for any problems but will also explain the main attractions you will see during the tour.

Why visit Tuscany by quad?

Quad bike tours in Tuscany are an unforgettable experience to see the region’s magnificent landscapes from a unique perspective. In fact, the routes are mainly off-road and go through hills, forests, vineyards and sometimes even arrive in small medieval villages. That’s why you should definitely try it if you love adventure and adrenaline!

• See Tuscany from a different and surprising perspective, living an experience completely different from the others.
• Get around safely aboard an adrenaline-pumping but also safe vehicle that will allow you to have fun even in the most extreme conditions.
• Share an experience you will never forget with friends, family, or your partner. You will have an indelible memory forever.
• Let yourself go and enjoy the sense of freedom and carefreeness that quad biking can give you.

Are you ready to experience moments of pure fun and carefreeness?

Our quad tours in Tuscany, between Siena and Chianti

Thanks to our friends at Quad Excursion Siena, we are offering you the chance to experience a quad bike adventure in Tuscany in total safety. You’ll explore the landscapes that surround Gargonza, from the Crete Senesi with rolling hills and open spaces as far as the eye can see, to trails in the woods overlooking the olive groves of the Val di Chiana. You can rent the quads directly and choose the formula you prefer, from shorter itineraries to full-day trips, perhaps combined with tastings of local products.

Here are some things to know.

• Quad Excursion’s headquarters in Castelnuovo Berardenga is located a few kilometers from Gargonza.
• Excursions are led by experienced professionals and take place in complete safety.
• All excursions take place in the Chianti and Crete Senesi area: it will be a fun experience, in contact with nature, that will allow you to discover the most magical and hidden places of this land.
• We can also organize quad bike tours in the roads of the Gargonza estate for groups or companies.
• The price of quad bike tours in Tuscany starts from 50 euros per person.

If you want more information, please contact us!

An experience connected to the 500-hectare forest surrounding the Castello di Gargonza couldn’t be missed. Immerse yourself in a true forest bath, guided by experts who will awaken your senses during relaxing walks along our trails.

What is Forest Therapy?

Walking in the forest, in close contact with nature, offers numerous mental and physical benefits. Tuscany, with its peaceful forest paths, is the perfect place to practice Forest Therapy. The area around Castello di Gargonza is especially suited for this practice.

Forest Therapy originated in Japan in the 1980s as a health program to reduce stress, and it is known there as Shinrin-Yoku. In the West, it is known as “forest therapy” and involves a true “bath in nature,” aimed at connecting with the environment using all five senses. It’s an experience that offers a unique perspective of the forest, creating an unexpected connection with nature.

The Benefits of Forest Therapy

Forest Therapy is a true adventure of communion with nature and is recognized for its therapeutic effects, scientifically confirmed. The main benefits include:

• Reducing cortisol levels, the stress hormone, and counteracting hyperactivity
• Lowering adrenaline levels, promoting calmness and relaxation
• Physical and mental detoxification
• Boosting the immune system and increasing natural defenses
• Regulating blood pressure and heart rate

After a session of Forest Therapy, you will feel regenerated, serene, and completely detoxified on a physical and mental level.

Where to Experience Forest Therapy in Tuscany

“The greatest inspiration comes while walking…”

Forest Therapy in Tuscany is an extremely relaxing and rejuvenating experience that allows you to connect with the authentic nature of the woods.

Forest Therapy at Castello di Gargonza

Our castle is surrounded by woods and forests. To offer our guests a chance to relax and disconnect from everyday life, we have mapped out 4 Forest Therapy trails within the 600 hectares of the Gargonza estate.

Each trail starts from the castle and leads to historical points of interest related to the farm and hillside agricultural traditions. Along the way, you’ll admire ancient stone water sources, discover farmhouses with dry stone walls and fields that tell the story of the past. Some sections offer breathtaking views of the village of Gargonza and its 14th-century tower.

Autumn is the ideal season to enjoy the tranquility of Gargonza’s woods, as the autumn colors create a truly unique spectacle!

Activity Details

The activity is outdoors and lasts about one hour. You will be accompanied by a guide specialized in Forest Therapy. To learn more about the trails, schedules, and details, please contact us.

Fall is the perfect season to unplug and rejuvenate a bit in peace and quiet. Starting up again after the vacations is not easy for anyone, so carving out weekends away from home is a great way to resume daily life with the right energy.

In this article we give you some tips for organizing a relaxing weekend in Tuscany.

Featuring good food, nature and art, it will be a relaxing and fun weekend to share with whomever you want.

Relaxing weekends in Tuscany: what you can’ t miss

If you’ve decided to treat yourself to a relaxing weekend in Tuscany, here are some must-haves to get you to relax properly!

WHERE TO STAY

The place where you book your stay should have every comfort available.

A comfortable bed, a relaxing space with sofas where you can chat with friends, a fireplace where a fire crackles on cooler evenings.

You need to be able to enjoy your time in your room to the fullest so choose your accommodation carefully.

Location is also important. If you want to relax in peace and quiet, best to avoid choosing a hotel in the middle of the city center. Much more relaxing is to opt for an abode in the middle of nature, perhaps in a quiet and picturesque forest.

Finally, choose a place that also offers a private pool. This way you can really unplug and treat yourself to a relaxing afternoon just a stone’s throw from your room.

WHAT TO DO DURING A RELAXING WEEKEND IN TUSCANY

Everything you plan during your weekend should therefore be about relaxation. In Tuscany, there are plenty of alternatives for spending two relaxing days.

Spas are definitely a pleasant way to completely disconnect from everyday stress and commitments. From Rapolano to Chianciano, there are many places to spend a day soaking in the warm waters of the thermal pools.

If, on the other hand, you prefer to devote yourself to savoring the best that Tuscan food and wine has to offer, you can book wine tastings and winery visits. Tuscany is full of farms and vineyards that organize guided tours, especially in the Chianti area.

WEEKEND IN TUSCANY WITH ALL THE COMFORTS

Your weekend in Tuscany, to be truly relaxing, must be able to offer you all the amenities you desire.

Choose a place that offers you a rich breakfast in the morning as soon as you wake up, to get off to a good start. Also important is that it has a restaurant nearby, if you don’t feel like traveling many miles to find a place to dine and have lunch.

Also, make sure that the place you choose where you stay can meet all your needs. Especially if you are traveling with children or pets, always remember to ask for what you need so you don’t get any nasty surprises!

Relaxing weekend in Tuscany at Castello di Gargonza

Your weekend of relaxation in Tuscany can be truly perfect if you spend it at Castello di Gargonza.

Our hamlet is located in a privileged position, between Siena and Arezzo, just a few kilometers from the Chianti wineries and numerous spas where you can completely relax. In addition, we offer you spacious rooms with every comfort to recharge your batteries without having to think about anything.

If you want to book your relaxing weekend in Tuscany, write to us.

Spring in Gargonza is ideal for rediscovering nature and beyond. If you are an ebike enthusiast, you can take advantage of the marked trails in the 600-hectare wooded estate that surrounds Castello di Gargonza or use our interactive maps with QR codes and follow one of the 6 itineraries to discover this part of Val di Chiana.

From Gargonza it is you can follow paths immersed in chestnut and oak woods and re-create yourself in the quietness of a restful forestand then return to Gargonza, located at 600 meters above sea level. The assisted pedaling will allow you to discover paths with steep slopes that would otherwise be intended only for very trained cyclists.

You can also choose routes on dirt or asphalted roads with distances up to 50 km from Gargonza and reach the historic villages like Monte San Savino, Lucignano and Civitella in Val di Chiana. Together with some wineries, we have planned stops where you can make wine tastings and discover taste typical local products.

You can also decide to have a journey to Arezzo via the “Sentiero della Bonifica” path. This path is long 62 km and connects Chiusi to Arezzo along the river “Chiana”. The flat route is very suitable for families. From Gargonza we can reach the path at Cesa in Val di Chiana and end up to the “Chiusa dei Monaci” sluice located just outside Arezzo. The “Chiusa dei Monaci” was built around 1151 by the friars of the monastery S. Flora and Lucilla of Arezzo as a weir on the Canale Maestro, with the function of regulating the flow of water from the marshy area of ​​the Val di Chiana towards the Arno. Nothing prohibits you from being able to take the opposite path and go toward Chiusi and Montepulciano.

The ebikes can be booked directly through the reception of the village and are equipped with helmet, pump, water bottles and child seats on request.

It is also possible to have an authorized guide to accompany you and thus make a day exploring this wonderful area even more beautiful.

For information and reservations contact our reception by sending an email to info@gargonza.it.

Tuscany is a region where those who love nature will surely find what they are looking for. Unspoiled forests alternate with hilly landscapes, and the whole area is crisscrossed with trails and walking paths. One of the most famous and beloved trails for walkers is definitely the Via Clanis, which runs through the entire Val di Chiana to ccessing the most beautiful and characteristic villages in this part of Tuscany, including the village of Gargonza.

In this article we find out everything there is to know about this historic route immersed in the nature of Tuscany, which allows this area to be revived in its entirety.

The stages of the Via Clanis

The GTValdichiana Association was born from the passion for trekking of a group of friends and from the experience gained from walking along the ancient paths which surround the Chiana Valley. A ring route of 180 km connects all the historical villages and citiesof the Val di Chiana and the entire path name is called La VIA CLANIS named after the Etruscan name of the Chiana which is the river that flows in the Valley.

There are 8 stages that will lead the walker to discover the Clanis River, wonderful villages, rich in Etruscan and Roman history, breathtaking views, excellent food and wine and genuine hospitality. The stage that also involves Gargonza is called the “the route of the towers and the castles” and a more fitting name for us could not be used.

Here are the 8 stages of the Via Clanis.

1. Arezzo – La Sassaia – Castiglion Fiorentino
2. Castiglion Fiorentino – Le Celle – Cortona
3. Cortona – Castiglione del Lago
4. Castiglione del Lago – Montepulciano
5. San Biagio – Sinalunga
6. Sinalunga – Lucignano
7. Lucignano – Gargonza – Monte San Savino
8. Monte San Savino – Civitella – Arezzo

Each stage has a duration of 17 to 32 km with various elevation differences and levels of technical difficulty. You can take a few days off to complete the entire route or do only the stages you prefer. They can be done at any season of the year, but in general fall and spring are the best times because it is neither too hot nor too cold. Each stage allows you to discover a different corner of Tuscany’s wonders so approach it in the right spirit: take your time and enjoy slow tourism and the beauty around you, forgetting your watch and smartphone and immersing yourself completely in nature.

The stage of the Via Clanis that also involves Gargonza is the penultimate one and is called the Via delle Torri e dei Castelli: a more fitting name for us could not be. You can therefore sleep or eat in Gargonza taking advantage of our B&B accommodation and eat at our restaurant or have a snack at our shop located inside the village. You can relax in the beautiful setting of our village by taking advantage of B&B accommodations and eating at our restaurant, La Torre di Gargonza, or having a snack in Bottega located inside the village.

We sincerely thank Mr. Sauro Casucci who, together with the GTValdiChiana Cultural Association, conceived and studied all the paths including ours.

HOSPITALITY TRADITION FOR ALMOST 150 YEARS…WHILE WAITING FOR 2021, FOR THE 700 YEARS FROM THE DEATH OF DANTE ALIGHIERI THE FAMOUS ITALIAN POET WHO VISITED GARGONZA IN 1304.

We like to remember the Marquis Bardo Corsi Salviati, the last descendant of the Corsi family who, thanks to the marriage of his daughter Francesca, passed the Farm of Gargonza to the Guicciardini family.

Around the early 1880s he received in Gargonza Sarah Freeman Clarke, an American painter who made an illustration of an interior of our medieval tower (the third floor to be precise) for an American magazine to remember the stages of Dante Alighieri including Gargonza .
Here’s what he wrote almost 150 years ago! Note how he appreciates the view from the terrace of the Tower.

Next to it a photo of the interior of the tower nowdays.

“The Marchese receives me with much courtesy, and he and the Marchesa make me kindly welcome. After learning what he can tell me of the history of the castle, some items of which he writes out for me, I am conducted into the old tower, and into the very chamber in which, according to family tradition, Dante lived some months. […] the view across the Val di Chiana to the hills where Arezzo stands is full of airy sunshine, is Italian and intoxicating. In other countries one may look on a wide and beautiful view with a certain coolness; one criticises its features and finds it better or poorer than other views; but in Italy, though it be but a level plain, the transparent curtain of the air, traversed by threads of golden light, makes an enchanted veil in which the spectator is caught and hel as in a net. He cannot criticise or compare; he can only yield to the magic spell.”

The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine, November 1883 to April 1884, vol. XXVII, The Century Co., New York: Sarah Freeman Clarke, Notes on the exile of Dante, illustrations by Harry Fenn after sketches by the author.

This weekend we had the pleasure of having the final presentation of Gargonza Arts entitled “Facts Machine”

Gargonza Arts was born from the idea of ​​ Michael Faust, solo flutist of the “Sinfonieorchester” of Cologne. For almost 10 years now, the association has welcomed young artists from various disciplines to the Castle of Gargonza for a stay of several weeks in our “Casa degli Artisti”. Each artist carried out his work during the period of stay in Gargonza. Over the years we have had writers, composers, architects, painters and photographers who have found their inspiration within the medieval walls and the authentic atmosphere of the village to complete their work.

This year we had the pleasure to welcome Daphné Hejebri, Liat Fassberg, Dachil Sado and Thimo Franke who carried out the presentation in their respective disciplines in the ancient Arsenal. This late nineteenth century building was abandoned for many years until even the roof, tired of this abandonment, gave its signals! Last winter we started the restoration of the roof and the floor and it was a real thrill for all of us to see this building revived with this presentation.

You can find all the information about Gargonza Arts on the website https://www.gargonza-arts.de/1/Home.html

Discover the rolling hills of the Tuscany, the Chiana Valley and the Chianti with the famous Vespa scooter. The lunar landscape of the Crete Senesi with it’s green fields, The gold yellow of the wheat crops, sunflowers along the fields of the Chiana Valley…
these are just few of the landscape you may see during your tours with Vespa starting from Gargonza. You may rent a Vespa directly from Gargonza and visit the medieval hamlets of the Val di Chiana, Val D’orcia and Sienese Chianti. Prices starting from Euro 65,00 per person for 4 people tour.

You may rent the Vespa directly from Vintage Tours in Montepulciano or you may have the Vespa delivered directly in Gargonza.

Check on: Vintage Tours – Web Site info@vintagetours.it