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Chianti, Italy on a Sunday?
We will be in Italy for two weeks. During our trip, we have the option of doing 2 days in Florence and then 3 days in Chianti or the opposite. I am tempted to spend two days in Florence and 3 in Chianti, but if we do this one of the days will be a Sunday. Is it worth it to be in the area on a Sunday? Is anything open in the hill towns? I don't think the wineries will be... any thoughts?
Re: Chianti, Italy on a Sunday?
I love Chianti! Shops and restaurants are open on Sunday (esp during peak tourist season) although hours may shift be limited (like opening at 11 and closing at 6). Smaller restaurants will do a big sunday lunch instead of dinner (served 1 to 3, but you might be eating until 5).
You are right about the wineries, but to be honest, I don't recommend tasting in Chianti. This sounds stupid and/or oversaid, but the wines are so rich that they really do need food to be fully enjoyed. Further, most (not all but most) of the vineyards that do "tastings" are catering to tourists and only produce eh wine (it's not bad, but it's marked up more than it should be).
All of that said, if you do want to do a tasting, I'd recommend trying Felsina in Castelnuovo Berardenga. Very good wines and a very pleasant staff. Not all of the property is in Chianti (CB is on the border), but they do offer a chianti classico which is produced exclusively from grapes grown in the chianti section. Unfortunately, it is not open on Sunday though, sorry.
The area is very drivable... no problems, you'll find plenty to keep you busy
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My favorite restaurant in Italy (value, quality, simplicity) is: http://www.lepanzanelle.it/. It's right outside of Radda (so an easy drive from Greve). Everything is great, seriously. I'm partial to the wild boar, but you can't go wrong. The house wine is solid (insanely good value); however, if you want a local area splurge try Monte Vertine's chianti.
Enoteca Toscana (in Radda proper) has a great wine selection and is well-priced.
A nice Sunday day trip is Montepulciano, in Southern Tuscany. It's about an hour and half drive. Nice town, cute shops. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is the drink of choice
. Great restaurant (which is open for Sunday lunch, but I recommend you make a reservation b/c it's small and fills up quickly) is http://www.acquacheta.eu/. This is a steak place, so if red meat is objectionable, skip it. They do have apps and stuff, but it's very small and homestyle and they really would be confused by people going and ordering non-meat options. Not judging, just saying 
. A good winery in the area (outside of the city but not far) is http://www.poderiboscarelli.com/; they will do tastings by appointment. Very, very good wine.
If you need a break from wine and food
, Cruciani is my favorite gallery in MP. The artist is from Assisi (and has galleries in both towns): http://www.cruciani.com/main.html
That's how I'd spend a weekend in Chianti, but I've also spent time in Greve, Gaiole, Cortona, Pienza, Montalcino, Siena, Lucca, etc, so might be able to help w/ questions about those towns as well.
Ciao!