Foiano della Chiana

Foiano della Chiana is the oldest Carnival village in Italy. But it is not only famous for Carnival, but also for its beautiful pieces of art, like the Della Robbia works that can be found in the churches across the area. The famous battle of Scannagallo took place a few kilometers from the town center in 1554 and saw Florence and Siena clash. In the surroundings of Foiano della Chiana there are many typical agricultural products, the most famous is the Aglione della Valdichiana, the typical local garlic.

Lucignano

The village is famous for its elliptical shape, which still retains evocative spots capable of taking us back in time. In the Tribunal Square we can also find the most important historical buildings that preserve extraordinary masterpieces; the Golden Tree is housed in the Civic Museum, and the beautiful fresco of the Triumph of Death is located in the picturesque church of San Francesco. Lucignano also offers a lot of folklore, such as the Maggiolata festival. The Maggiolata showcases wonderful floats decorated with thousands of flowers that parade through the streets of the village. Food and wine are also key players with important wineries and the not-to-be-missed Chianina meat.

Marciano della Chiana

Monte San Savino

Recent discoveries have shown that Monte San Savino is a settlement of Etruscan origins. The town became especially important in the fifteenth century thanks to the Ciocchi del Monte family. The important family gave birth to many Cardinals and even a Pope, Julius III. The fascinating family palace, designed by the architect Antonio da Sangallo the Elder, still stands in the center of Monte San Savino. Furthermore, in 1460, the famous sculptor Andrea Contucci was born here. Known as Andrea Sansovino, his artworks can be found in some of the churches in the town center. In addition to its historical heritage, Monte San Savino is famous for its roast pork, known as porchetta, and it is a true pride of the inhabitants.

Medieval village Montepulciano

Montepulciano is built on a narrow limestone ridge, 605 metres above sea level, and is well known for its vino nobile and the bravio delle botti which takes place at the end of August. We recommend you visit the beautiful Duomo and the Chiesa di San Biagio.

Castiglion Fiorentino

Castiglion Fiorentino is an Etruscan settlement. The town saw its maximum development during the Middle Ages under the majestic Torre del Cassero, which still stands and characterizes the city today. The important artistic heritages are kept in the museums of the citadel of Cassero and in the museum of the Pieve di San Giuliano. Even today, there is a grand passion for artistry as there is for the green gold of these lands, which has given Castiglion Fiorentino the honor of being called the city of olive oil. Castiglion Fiorentino is also famous for its Palio, a fascinating horse-riding competition that involves the inhabitants of the town’s three districts and occurs annually on the third Sunday of June.

Cortona

Cortona is an important Etruscan city, whose testimonies can be seen in the Museum of Etruscan Academy and City of Cortona (MAEC) and in the Archaeological Park. The Tabula Cortonensis and the Etruscan Chandelier are much celebrated. There are many artists who were born here over the centuries, including the painters Luca Signorelli, Pietro da Cortona and Gino Severini. Their artworks can be found and appreciated in many of Cortona's churches. The Franciscan presence in this city was also very important. In the 13th century, St. Francis founded the hermitage of Le Celle here. Today the city is a well-known tourist destination, thanks also to the quality of its typical products, such as Syrah wine.

Pienza

Pienza is the birth town of Enea Silvio Piccolomini, better known as Pope Pio II, who commissioned to Bernardo Rossellino the urbanistic reassessment of the town. Today the town of Pienza is regarded as one of the highest levels of architecture.

Civitella in Val di Chiana

Civitella stands on the top of a hill where its majestic castle rises. Built in the Lombard period in the thirteenth century, the castle came under the possession of the Bishop of Arezzo, Guglielmino degli Ubertini, who subsequently restored it. The events that shook the village during the Second World War were horrible. In addition to the bombing that destroyed part of the fortress, the carnage carried out by the Nazis led to death of more than 200 civilians. In the center of the town there is an important museum of contemporary art; it is considered one of the most valuable in the province of Arezzo.

Chiusi village

Chiusi is considered one of the most ancient Etruscan towns and is rich with museums dedicated to the findings of this old population. Remarkable in fact is the Etruscan necropolis, with its tomba a camera. Amongst the many events to remember is the patronal festival of San Mustiola.

Abbey of Oliveto Maggiore

Monte Oliveto Maggiore is located in the Comune of Asciano, in the heart of Crete Senesi area, and is an Abbey composed of a church dating back to the 1400's, a large cloister and a chemist.

Chianciano Terme

Chianciano Terme is one of the most famous spa areas of Italy. A place of beauty and relaxation, but also a place from where to uncover the beauty of Tuscany and of nearby Umbria.

Arezzo

Arezzo is situated on a hill overlooking Casentino, Valdarno and the Val di Chiana. The symbol of Arezzo is Piazza Grande, where the palazzo delle Logge can also be found, a work made by Vasari. Adjacent to the square is Corso Italia, the main city road. In via XX settembre we can find Giorgio Vasari's house. Other places not to be missed are also Il Duomo, Petrarca's house and the Fortezza medicea, below which is the greenest area of Arezzo, il Prato. One of the most appealing events in Arezzo is the Giostra del Saracino.

Montalcino

Montalcino is famous for the production of wine, of which the Brunello di Montalcino is the most renowned. Places to visit include Sant'Antimo with one of the most beautiful Benedectine Abbey.

Siena

Siena sits on the top of three hills and the town is crossed by wide boulevards and narrow lanes leading to the heart of the city: Piazza del Campo, with its very famous Torre del Mangia and to all the other culturally relevant buildings such as The Duomo and the museum of Santa Maria della Scala. The Palio, which is famous all around the world, takes place in July and August in Piazza del Campo.

Perugia

Perugia is the administrative centre of Umbria, with its majestic square and il Palazzo dei Priori, several churches, amongst which San Pietro and the giardini botanici dell'università. Other events to remember are: Eurochocolate in October and Umbria Jazz in the Summer. Places to visit in Umbria include Assisi, Gubbio, Spello, Città di Castello, Orvieto and Todi.

Valley of Casentino

Casentino is one the four main valleys which divides the Province of Arezzo, and undoubtedly the most picturesque and rich in history and culture. It has an almost oval-shape, offering many different landscapes, varying from large mountain forests to the flat and hilly regions at the bottom of the valley.