The Mall and D&G Outlets + Frescobaldi's Nipozzano Castle (8 hrs)

Our first stops are at The Mall (Bottega Veneta, Ermenegildo Zegna, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent, etc.) and Dolce & Gabbana Factory Store, We then drive back towards Florence and arrive at Nipozzano Castle. Set high upon a hill, dominating the area and boasting views over the Arno and Sieve rivers, this castle dates as far back as 1164 when it was originally built for the Conti Guidi family. It then passed to the noble Florentine Albizi family and from them to the Frescobaldi family, as the dowry of Leonia degli Albizi upon her marriage to Angiolo de' Frescobaldi. In 1855 Vittorio degli Albizi, ancestor of the present owners and expert viticulturist, brought to Nipozzano the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot varieties of vine which have been cultivated to the present day.

Valdichiana Outlet Village + Frescobaldi's Castel Giocondo (8 hrs)

From Florence we drive south on the Italian main motorway (A1) for about 60 miles and arrive at the Valdichiana Outlet Village. Among its 90 shops you will find some exclusive brands as Calvin Klein, Conte of Florence, Just Cavalli, Tommy Hilfinger and many more. We later move to the Castel Giocondo estate that produces some of the finest wines in the Marchesi de'Frescobaldi's selection, which includes Lamaione, Castelgiocondo Riserva, and Brunello. The estate covers over 800 hectares of vines, olive groves, woodland and pastures. With its small medieval castle and village, the estate is a picturesque Italian dream. The castle was originally built in 1100 to defend the road to Sienna from invaders coming from the sea.

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