Passignano in Chianti

Passignano in Chianti is rarely on a tourist route, but we can’t help mentioning this tiny hamlet that exudes such a tranquil beauty. For sightseeing, there really isn’t much to see except the Badia a Passignano Abbey, founded by Benedictine monks in the 11^th century. The abbey is set in a pocket of lush landscape and dominates the village, which is no more than a cluster of houses and a restaurant. However, as you drive into the valley, approaching from the west, the abbey with its towering ring of cypresses has such an idyllic setting that it is one of our favorites—a photographer’s delight. The abbey can be visited on Sundays at 3 pm; tours leave from the church (please check to verify the abbey is open the Sunday you want to visit). Fine wines, produced by the abbey’s vineyards, can be purchased at the Osteria, tel: (055) 80 71 278.