Matrimonio di LoGalbo
Things To Do
Osteria 1126
The main restaurant on site is Osteria 1126. The chef Alberto focuses on delivering traditional Tuscan dishes to the each plate, with a twist. We recommend trying any of the pastas and "La Fiorentina." It is super traditional to Tuscany and it is insanely delicious! If you can, ask for it to be cooked rare to medium rare; it's the way the chef recommends it! The tasting menu is also a wonderful option. As we get closer to the wedding date, please call (+39 0577 932240) or use TheFork.it to make reservations ahead of time. While the entire Cinciano property is exclusive to our party, the restaurant will remain open to the public (a lot of locals eat there!). You will likely only need reservations for lunch on June 1, June 2 or dinner on June 3. In addition to the sit down restaurant, Osteria 1126 has a Bistrot, which opens and closes around the same time as the restaurant. It offers quicker food items like paninos, bread, meat and cheese plates, etc.
Wine Tastings at Fattoria di Cinciano!
Cinciano's wine and olive oil experts will be available for all guests of the Prestano-LoGalbo affair. When you get to the property, Stefano (who manages the property) can help you sign up for exclusive wine tours around the vineyards and in the cellar. More information here: www.cinciano.it/en/our-production www.cinciano.it/en/our-wines www.cinciano.it/en/olive-oil
La Sosta Di Pio VII
This is a must try restaurant in the region! It's owned by a husband and wife and sits within an old farmhouse. The restaurant is just 8-10 minutes away from Fattoria di Cinciano and is super traditional (very few people speak English in the restaurant). Try any and all pasta dishes here: wild boar sauce (trust us!), duck sauce, and any sauce with fresh tomatoes (they will be in season!). We also recommend making reservations here ahead of time: +39 055 80 75 923 or info@osterialasostadipiovii.it.
Florence (Activities & Hotels)
Where to begin! Florence is Chris' favorite city (aside from NYC). Florence is the capital of Tuscany and is home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture. The most iconic sights include (pre-reserve tickets for all): the Duomo (you must climb to the top!), Galleria dell'Accademia (displays Michelangelo’s David), the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens, Ponte Vecchi, Palazzo Vecchio and San Lorenzo Market. If you plan to take tours or cooking classes, we highly recommend booking through FlorenceTown (www.florencetown.com). Our top hotels include: Hotel Laurus al Duomo (near the Duomo), The Gallery Hotel Art (owned by the Ferregamo Family), Lungarno Hotel, Hotel Berchielli (near Ponte Vecchio), and Hotel De La Ville. AirBnB's are also a great option if you're staying in Florence for a few days!
Florence (Restaurants)
You've all heard about Rich Prestano's famous "list," which has been curated over many years of chatting with locals about their favorite restaurants. Well, since we love you and Florence so much, we are going to share it here! Many of the restaurants are located "across the river," or across from the main tourist attractions (it's where the locals live!). Acqucatta Borgo Antico (overlooks Piazza Santo Spirito) Borgo Dan Jacopo (Michelin star) Club Culinario Tuscano da Osvaldo Il Cibreo Fiaschetteria-Trattoria Hostaria del Bricco La Buchetta Cafe La Casalinga Olio e Convivium (chef who is catering our wedding; try the truffle risotto and duck sauce!) Osteria Vecchio Vicolo Osteria dei Buongustai Ristorante Vini Risorante Dino Trattoria Giovanni Trattoria Gargani Trattoria Da Ginone Trattoria 4 Leoni Vini e Vecchi Sapori Lunch only spots: All' Antico Vinaio (best paninis in the world!), La Prosciutteria, Ristorante Accademia, Il Bufalo Trippone
Siena
Siena is absolutely stunning! It is a great day trip. The medieval city constantly rivals Florence, but the beauty of each city is quite different. Siena reached its peak in the Middle Ages, so the architecture and art is quite different from the renaissance-centered pieces in Florence (it's also much smaller). If you visit, you must see Piazza del Campo, Torre del Mangia, Santa Maria della Scala, Siene Catherdral and Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (the oldest surviving bank in the world!). Our absolute favorite restaurant is La Taverna di San Guiseppe (www.tavernasangiuseppe.it). Just trust us and have everything the waiter tells you to (including the truffles!). Osteria da Divo is also very good (www.osteriadadivo.it). More information here: www.visittuscany.com/en/destinations/siena
Volterra & San Gimignano
Volterra is easily one of the most beautiful places we've ever seen (and the highest; travel with a lot of water so you don't get dehydrated). It is a fortress town that was once the most strategic position for wars in the Etruscan, Roman and Medieval periods. Its history dates to 7th century BC. We recommend coupling a trip to Volterra with a trip to San Gimignano. San Gimignano can be very touristy, but you really need to visit for the views of Volterra and the fairytale-like Tuscan hills alone. Be sure to see the Renaissance frescoes in the main cathedral of San Gimignano. If you are traveling to this region before or after the wedding, consider stay at either La Cisterna Hotel (San Gimignano) or Hotel Etruria (Volterra; we've stayed here before). Down the block from Hotel Etruria is an amazing restaurant called La Vecchia Lira. We had two of the oldest pasta dishes (one with rabbit and a chocolate sauce; it was one of our best meals!). For cheap eats, try La Sosta del Priore.
Greve in Chianti
Oh, Greve. This is the spot that made us fall in love with Tuscany. Greve is on the main scenic road through Chianti, SS 222, also called Chiantigiana. It is known for its beautiful wineries (on mountains, literally), world-famous Chianti Classico (the famous Black Rooster) and "Super Tuscan" wines. If you travel through this region, you must visit Macelleria Falorni in Greve's main piazza (Macelleria means butcher/meat shop and this is one of the most famous in Italy due to its focus on Tuscan wild boar, which run wild all over Chianti). Wineries to visit include: Castello di Verrazzano (we love this place!), Castello Vicchiomaggio, Vignamaggio (not far from Greve; Mona Lisa was born there in 1479 and Kenneth Branagh filmed Much Ado About Nothing there). Try to eat on site at one of them. Otherwise, try La Cantinetta Di Rignana or Ristoro di Lamole for lunch or dinner. More information here: www.visittuscany.com/en/destinations/greve-in-chianti
Panzano & Castellina in Chianti
Panzano and Castellina in Chianti are just south of Greve. They are both very small, but charming towns. Chris and I haven’t been, but in Panzano, we’ve heard it’s worth a trip to Antica Macelleria Cecchini, which hosts one of the most famous butchers in Italy, Dario Cecchini (try the Porchetta, roasted pig with Tuscan herbs). You should also stop by Fontodi Winery. Just southwest of Panzano are two very good restaurants in Castellina in Chianti. We’ve heard Osteria alla Piazza and La Locanda di Pietracupa are great.
Monteriggioni
Monteriggioni is a commune in Tuscany. It borders on the communes of Casole d'Elsa, Castellina in Chianti, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Colle di Val d'Elsa, Poggibonsi (where Fattoria di Cinciano is!) and Siena. It is a medieval walled town with several piazzas (Piazza Roma is the main piazza) and squares. It is architecturally and culturally significant, as it's regularly referenced by famous Tuscan poet Dante Alighieri in his Divine Comedy. If you plan to eat here try Antico Travaglio, which is in Piazza Roma. More information here: www.discovertuscany.com/monteriggioni
Certaldo
Certaldo is a beautiful hilltop town, close to Cinciano, and was the home of the family of Giovanni Boccaccio (who died in 1375). The town of Certaldo is divided into upper and lower parts. The lower part is called Certaldo Basso, where you'll find many palazzos and the Certaldo Museum of Sacred Art, and the upper part is Certaldo Alto, a medieval town with insane views!. If you choose to go, visit our friend Raffaello Viani, who owns a small vineyard, A Solatio, and farm in the hills of Certaldo. Email him in advance and he/his wife will make you a home cooked meal after you tour their vineyards (+39 392 2122040 or raffaelloviani@yahoo.it). Another great restaurant is Osteria di Casa Chianti (+39 348 811 9940). More information here: www.visittuscany.com/en/ideas/certaldo-a-medieval-corner-of-tuscany
Pisa
Pisa is 1 1/2 hours away from Cinciano, so you may want to stick to Greve, Certaldo, Monteriggioni or San Gimignano/Volterra while staying at the villa. There is a ton of history in the city and the main sites include: Knights' Square (Piazza dei Cavalieri), Pisa Catherdral, Piazza dei Miracoli, Santa Maria della Spina, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo and Palazzo della Carovana. More about Pisa: www.discovertuscany.com/pisa
Montepulciano & Montalcino
Famous wines (Montepulciano's famous Vino Nobils is Kristen's favorite!) and rolling green countryside are what you get in this part of southern Tuscany. Both of these towns are worth a visit (you must try Montalcino's tasty Brunello wine). A top, warm and inviting restaurant is Ristorante La Chiusa, located just a few miles north of Montepulciano in the tiny village of Montefollonico. The owners, Dania and Umberto Lucherini, transformed an old stone farmhouse into the restaurant and inn, so it's worth staying overnight either before or after the wedding weekend. Most of the food comes from their own farm, including olive oil and white truffles year-round. More information here: + 0577 669 668 or www.ristorantelachiusa.it If you plan to stay in this region, stop by Pienza, where Zefferelli filmed Romeo and Juliet. It is a beautiful hill town in southern Tuscany (40 miles south of Montepulciano) that is famous in Italy for its great fresh pecorino cheese. Seriously amazing cheese.
Forte dei Marmi & Cinque Terre
We have not yet been to Forte dei Marmi, but have heard it's one of the most beautiful places to visit in Tuscany. It is quite far from Cinciano, so we recommend tacking this on the back end of your trip (leading up to Cinque Terre). Forte dei Marmi is a beautiful sea town that has been known since 1519 and it's where Carrara marble comes from (your kitchens can thank this town!). This is definitely more of a relaxing stop. Cinque Terre is about a 1 1/2 hours north, where you can take a 10-mile walk through five villages on sea cliffs. It's super touristy, but has breathtaking views and old Italian food. You should really stay overnight stay (or two) to enjoy it properly. High traffic months are July, August and September, so May/June will be perfect.