Apartment Merlot · Tuscany · Chianti

Name: Apartment Merlot · Tuscany · Chianti
Address: Il Navico, Castellina in Chianti, 53011, IT
Telephone: +393209407264

Casa
Italia
Castellina in Chianti
Apartment Merlot · Tuscany · Chianti

Welcome to Tuscany · Chianti - the art of dolce far niente. Golden light, stone walls, the scent of vineyards and warm earth. Your Tuscan story starts here.

Time moves slower here - between the pool, the vines and endless evenings. We’re waiting for you!

04/09/2026

You often ask where to eat around Castellina in Chianti.
It is difficult to choose just one place, because Castellina and the surrounding area are full of wonderful restaurants, each with its own atmosphere and reason to stop by.

At Uscio & Bottega in Sicelle, there is a lovely terrace, sunset views and simple food based on local ingredients: https://www.osteriauscioebottega.it/
Osteria alla Piazza is a beautiful choice for a relaxed dinner overlooking the vineyards: https://www.osteriaallapiazza.com/
Sotto le Volte has a more intimate, evening atmosphere right in Castellina: https://www.sottolevolteristorante.it/

For good Tuscan ciccia, Macelleria Stiaccini is well worth a visit a family butcher shop with its own kitchen and grill: https://macelleria-stiaccini.it/
Taverna Squarcialupi is all about homemade pasta, a glass of Chianti and a beautiful terrace: https://tavernasquarcialupi.it/
Osteria Rosticceria Il Re Gallo has an easy, local feel, with fresh pasta and simple Tuscan flavours: https://ilregallo.eatbu.com/
And there is also I Grani di Squarcialupi, another lovely address in Castellina for a slow lunch or dinner: https://igranidisquarcialupi.durablesites.com/

Perhaps this is part of the charm of Chianti coming back several times and sitting at a different table each evening.

If you need any advice or a little help with making a reservation, I’m always happy to help ❤️

31/08/2026

Thank you for sharing your reviews with us. Every word means so much and helps us make Merlot an even more special place.

We created this home for our Guests to make you feel wonderful, enjoy slow, beautiful moments in the heart of Chianti and fall in love with just as much as we have.

24/06/2026

Many of our guests ask which w**eries near Merlot are worth visiting during their stay in Chianti.

It’s a difficult question because Chianti w**es are truly exceptional, and every w**ery has its own unique character and story to tell. From time to time, I will share some of my favorite places that I believe are especially worth visiting while staying at Merlot.

To start with, I highly recommend:

🍇 Brancaia – https://brancaia.com/en/

🍇 Gagliole – https://www.gagliole.com/en/

🍇 Castellare di Castellina – https://www.castellare.it/en/castellare-di-castellina/

🍇 Tenuta di Lilliano – https://www.lilliano.it/

All of them are located just a short drive from Merlot and offer wonderful w**e tastings surrounded by vineyards, cypress trees, and the breathtaking Tuscan landscapes that stay with you long after your trip is over.

If you are planning your stay and need help choosing a w**ery or booking a tasting, feel free to contact me. I’ll be happy to share my favorite places and help you create an unforgettable day in the heart of Chianti. ❤️

15/06/2026

Dive into the pool, relax beneath the olive trees, and savor peaceful moments under the Tuscan sun.

A place where time slows down, mornings begin with breathtaking views, and every sunset feels a little magical.

To reserve your stay, visit the link in our bio. ✨

⸻

Immergiti in piscina, rilassati sotto gli ulivi e goditi momenti di tranquillità al sole della Toscana.

Un luogo dove il tempo rallenta, le giornate iniziano con panorami mozzafiato e ogni tramonto ha qualcosa di magico.

Per prenotare il tuo soggiorno, visita il link nella nostra bio. ✨

26/02/2026

Olive Oil -The Green Gold of Tuscany

In Tuscany, olive oil is the foundation of everything. It’s used for frying, for sauces, for salads even for dolci. When you have a good olive oil at home, you can create a meal almost out of nothing. Just drizzle it over a slice of crusty, even slightly stale bread, or over freshly cooked pasta with basil and ripe tomatoes and it becomes something truly special.

We believe in its extraordinary power not only in flavor, but also in its health benefits. That’s why we don’t buy small bottles. Most often, we choose three- or five-liter tins, stored in a dark place, away from light and air.

In Italy, we have as many as 542 olive varieties, around 200 of them in Tuscany alone. It’s a heritage that is unique in the world.

The highest-quality extra virgin olive oil has character. Its flavor evolves depending on the harvest time it can be delicate, or more robust and dry, sometimes even peppery and bold. And that is exactly why it can completely transform a dish.

It’s a taste that, once understood, captures the heart.
Coming soon more stories and little secrets about our green treasure: olive oil.

And yes… our apartment is surrounded by an olive grove (on the photo) :)

17/02/2026

Tuscany - how to travel so you can truly feel it (my tips, part 2)
SR222 Chiantigiana - It’s not about the destination. It’s about the Drive.

SR222 Chiantigiana connects Florence with Siena, running straight through the heart of Chianti Classico.

This isn’t just a road from point A to point B.
It’s a scenic route that winds through postcard-perfect landscapes, rolling hills, endless vineyards, slender cypress trees, and stone villages clinging to hilltops.

Why choose SR222 instead of the highway?

The Florence-Siena highway is faster.
SR222 is more beautiful.

Driving the Chiantigiana:
- you pass through small towns, not around them,
- you can stop literally anywhere,
- the views change every few minutes,
- your pace naturally slows down.
- It’s a road that teaches you mindfulness.

Castellina in Chianti is the perfect starting point.
From Castellina you can: head north toward Panzano and on to Florence or drive south toward Radda in Chianti and continue to Siena.

Both directions are spectacular.

Personally, I love early mornings and sunsets most - when driving toward Florence, the light falls beautifully across the hills. Tuscany at golden hour is a story of its own.

My tips:

- The best views are often just a few meters off the main road.
Simply turn onto a narrow side road leading to a vineyard. Even if you’re not planning a w**e tasting, the landscape alone will reward you.
- Don’t plan this as a “transfer between attractions.”
- If you’re driving from Castellina to Florence, leave an hour earlier and choose SR222 instead of the highway. Even if it takes a little longer.

In Tuscany, it’s always better to choose beautiful over fast

13/02/2026

Your comfort is my priority and your happiness my greatest reward.
I want you to feel at home - from the very first moment.
Discover what our Guests say about Merlot.

09/02/2026

Cycling in Chianti 🚲🚲

Rolling hills, olive groves, medieval villages and views that make you stop.

Cycling in Chianti is pure pleasure even if the long climbs and legendary strade bianche can really test your legs.

This is where cycling legends were born: Gino Bartali, Mario Cipollini and Fiorenzo Magni.

Today, Chianti attracts both ambitious riders and those who prefer a slower pace and time to absorb the landscape. The region offers many bike rental options, including e-bikes, which are a perfect solution for longer climbs.

It’s no coincidence that the iconic L’Eroica race follows these roads its routes also pass near Castellina in Chianti, exactly where white gravel roads, vineyards and cypress trees create the most classic Tuscan scenery.

Remember in Chianti, it’s the journey that matters, not the speed 😊

Bike Rentals in Chianti

📍 Bicilettaio
📍 Italy Bike S.r.l. (provides guided bike tours in the Chianti area)
📍 Tuscany ebike rental (provides guided bike tours in the Chianti area)
📍 Chianti Bicycles – Castelnuovo Berardenga (provides guided bike tours in the Chianti area)

04/02/2026

Tuscany - how to travel so you can truly feel it (my tips, part 1) 😊

Tuscany is best explored by car 🚘.
Without one, many special places are out of reach - getting there can be difficult, time-consuming, or simply impossible.
Driving here feels calm, often slower than in other regions.
A car gives you freedom: to turn onto a small side road, stop on a hill for a breathtaking view, or wander into a tiny village that wasn’t on your plan. In Tuscany, it’s worth trusting your intuition and allowing yourself to go off route.

A few things that are easy to forget:
📍In smaller towns, gas stations aren’t open all day; after hours you can only use a self-service machine and you’ll need a credit card (debit cards often don’t work).
📍Many towns have ZTL zones (Zona Traffico Limitato). In some places they apply 24/7, in others only at certain hours. If you see “ZTL attiva”, only cars with a special permit may enter -cameras will record your plate and a fine will follow.
📍The easiest solution is to use parking lots and garages (even in the city center) - as their customers, you’re allowed to enter the zone.
📍In Florence, it’s smart to book garages in advance, because the city is busy all year round.
📍 A very convenient option when visiting Florence is Villa Costanza Park & Ride (right by the highway). From Merlot Apartment in Castellina in Chianti it takes about 45 minutes by car to get there. You leave your car safely at the parking lot and take the T1 tram, which goes directly to the historic center of Florence in about 20 minutes. Stress-free, easy, and no ZTL worries at all - this is my favorite way to visit Florence.

My tip:
Don’t plan too many stops in one day. Distances on the map look harmless, but winding roads, viewpoints, and “just one quick stop” moments add up. In Tuscany, always leave yourself a little extra time.

Save this for your Tuscany trip ⬆️

02/02/2026

From Apartment Merlot in Castellina in Chianti to Siena it’s only about 32 km drive - the perfect distance for a calm, one-day visit to a city that rewards those who move slowly and attentively.

Siena has always followed its own path.
For centuries, it was a powerful rival to Florence, growing wealthy through banking and trade.

Its heart is Piazza del Campo, shaped like a shell, where the city comes together twice a year for the legendary Palio di Siena, held on July 2nd and August 16th.
The Palio is more than a horse race it is passion, rivalry and memory passed down through generations.
Time in Siena seems to move more slowly, as if the Middle Ages never fully left its stone walls.

For me, Siena is a place for wandering without a plan.
I love arriving early, when the streets are still quiet and the light is soft.
I enjoy getting lost in narrow alleys, letting the city choose the way.
Siena does not like to be rushed ♥️

Indirizzo

Il Navico
Castellina In Chianti
53011

Telefono

+393209407264

Sito Web

https://www.airbnb.com.sg/rooms/44101706?source_impression_id=p3_1766869439_P3SvF4sd086Q-Y-m

Notifiche

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