Tuscany: Insider guides (Ultimi inserimenti)

A few hundred meters from Montichiello, the dirt road that leads to wisdom you will find a glimpse of cypress trees and in the background the Monte Amiata. Beautiful location at sunset, the earth is red. Superb.

Among the most evocative of Amiata. You can bathe in this monumental waterfall sound, surrounded by a grove of oaks and pines and fir trees, along a small path leading to the pool real

In the Checche Flat, next to the provincial road no. 53 Siena property rises the monumental Oak of Checche, a downy oak (Quercus pubescens) ultra secular. Absolutely not to be missed ..

In summer there are many music festivals in our surroundings: Incontri in Terre di Siena; Estate Musicale Chigiana; Crete Senesi Festival; Harpsichord concerts by Piccola Accademia Montisi and the Opera Festival in S.Galgano Abbey.

From the hotel, climb Mount Capanne, thickly wooded with chestnut groves. For a guided hike, there are organized excursions through the Tuscan Archipelago National Park and, for those who love exploring the countryside on horseback.

Go biking for 15/20 km with a mountain bike along incredible paths, chosen time by time according the bikers' group. During the tour you can also visit the Senese cellars and enjoy wine & food tasting.

In our area there are two wonderful old trees: The Magpies' Oak south of Pienza and the big holm on the Pieve a Salti road. Perfect places to organize a picnic with friends.

The grapes, their leaves and wine have extraordinary antioxidant properties and can have beneficial effects on skin, circulation, forms of stress and skin ageing.

With 18 championship holes and a driving range, the Argentario Golf Club occupies 77 hectares in an environment of great landscape value which has received the "BioAgriCert" environmental certification.

A small farm, a great Brunello.

It's one of the Tuscany's little gems. Rich of art and culture, Lucca is famous for piazza dell'anfiteatro (roman heritage), the medieval walls, the cathedral of San Martino. Lucca is the ideal town for walking, biking and shopping.

Born as an itinerary of faith, it connected northern Europe with Rome. It crosses the most beautiful villages in Tuscany and represents a journey to the roots of Italian and European culture for modern tourists and pilgrims.

Enclosed between Lerici and Portovenere, it is an enchanting stretch of coast line, dotted with tiny fishing villages.Tourist boats depart from La Spezia providing a sea tour, surely the best way to admire its nature and colours .

The Bottega Baracchi is an innovative concept shop halfway between a wine bar and a store, a promise that has as its primary essence, excellence, in all its various forms.

Pienza is a well-known town, deeply connected with the history of our hamlet, because of Pope Pius II, member of the Piccolomini family. Not so popular though it's the ancient church of Pieve di Corsignano, just out of town.

A walk among our meadows with a botanist. Collection, legends, properties of spontaneous plants. Practical explanations on how to use them to make natural dyes and inks, curative properties, aromatherapy and traditional herbal medicine.

Wine shop, tavern and a breathtaking view, what do you want?

A real gem, adorned with important artworks and surrounded by breathtakingly beautiful landscapes

For a light lunch to be enjoyed with a view to the Elba and Corsica and in the evening for a candlelight dinner. The restaurant of Relais vedetta offers traditional dishes, served with a wide selection of local wines.

We are on the route of the ancient and well-known Via Francigena, which was taken by pilgrims going from Canterbury to Rome in the Middle Ages.

Three generations of wrought iron, here continues the historical research of materials and forms. And 'possible to order customized products and take home unique works.

A fabulous restauarnt where meals are served in the old cloisters or on the terrace overlooking the Orcia valley

Draw beautiful spots of the Tuscany countryside, going outdoor to visit the most beautiful sites of Poggibonsi area.

You will find the embers ready, fettunta with our organic olive oil, seasonal vegetables from our vegetable garden and / or Florentine cow's maremma bred brada, natural leavened bread, water, crockery, candles, stars and the Milky Way

If you like "The English Patient", you cannot miss the visit of S.Anna in Camprena monastery, just out of our hamlet. This was the location of all the Tuscan scenes of the popular movie. Also remarkable the refectory frescoed by Sodoma.

Carved into the slopes of the Apuan Alps, the marble quarries of Carrara are magical places in which to admire the beauty of nature and the power of man.Testimony to a work that is age old, hard and dangerous .

The real works of art in wrought iron you can buy at the craftsman Biagiotti in Pienza. Decorative objects, chandeliers, candlesticks and the possibility to order custom made items.

The Oltrarno is the southern part of the center of Florence, just south of the river Arno. In a few small streets you will find workshops oldest in Florence, here working silver, wood and producing the famous Florentine paper.