it has seen a marked return in interest. This is partly because buyers are fleeing market uncertainty, preferring tried and trusted des- tinations, and partly because Chianti prices experienced a 10%± 20% dip over the past two years. With average values now ranging between €3,000 and €5,000± €6,000 per square metre, according to Valerie Bottazzi of Tuscany Real Estate, Chianti is once again competing with other top destinations. The area is as appealing as ever, with steep


hills covered by thick woodland, vineyards and olive groves. ` In Chianti, particularly in Chianti Classico, the heart of the district, you find three landscapesÐ woods of ilex, oaks and chestnut, vineyards and olive groves,' says Miss Bottazzi. Despite its undulation, however, ` Chianti is a bit closed,' say Mr Thom- son and Mr Fawcett. ` Because of the wood- land, you don' t really get very long views.'


www.countrylife.co.uk/international


FOR SALE €20m


O


Florentine hills A match for the grandeur of Flor- ence' s palazzi, this aristocratic villa, on the steep hill of nearby Fiesole, dates from the Renaissance. It has six bedrooms and a separate limonaia and cottage, set in a 5,000sq m park with panoramic views to Florence Hamptons Italy (00 39 06 688 928 70)


Country Life International, Spring 2011 51


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88