Hotels to remember: Crete Senesi

Close to Siena one finds a spectacular and truly unique landscape with a marvelous clay soil. The Crete Senesi is a land scattered with churches, castles and small medieval villages. The main town of the area is Asciano; here visitors can admire the Museum of Sacred Art, the Civic Archaeological Museum in Palazzo Corboli and the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore.

For those interested in traditional crafts, the Crete Senesi is home to numerous workshops where terracotta is transformed in to works of art following traditional techniques. Surrounding the grey Crete Senesi one finds expanses of green countryside, the vineyards of Montalcino, lush meadows and fields full of Sunflowers.

Gourmands will find plenty to satisfy the palate: Pecorino Cheese, white and black Truffles including the most prestigious Truffles from the San Giovanni area, the artichokes of Chiusure, honey, and the world famous red wine, Brunello di Montalcino, The grappa made with the Brunello grapes is quite simply superb.