Main Tourist Itineraries

Our Villa is located in the heart of an area that is renowned for its great artistic, historic and landscape heritage. This section outlines only some of the main tourist routes that we suggest for daily excursions. For further details click on each itinerary.   

Route 1 : Siena and  Mount Uliveto Abbey

Siena is one of the best-preserved architectural jewels of central Italy. Its origins are uncertain, but its name is probably related to the important Etruscan family of Saina who lived in Chiusi. Below is a list of the main monuments that can be found in Siena.

The Piazza del Campo where the Palazzo Pubblico is located, the Mangia Tower and the Gaia Fountain. 

The Palazzo del Magnifico and San Giovanni Square and the Baptistery.   

The marvelous Cathedral with the Museum of Metropolitan Opera and the Spedale of Santa Maria della Scala.

These are just some of the tourist attractions that this ancient Medieval town has to offer, but several more monuments will arouse the interest of visitors. 

Mount Uliveto Abbey
An imposing structure situated suggestively on a sloping hillside; the monastery was founded in 1313 by the Benedictine order. The monastery is a stronghold, protected on three sides by insurmountable steep cliffs. Its pearls are the Grand Cloister and the majestic carved and inlayed wooden Choir. The latter is considered the greatest inlay work found in Italy. 

Route 2:   Montepulciano - Pienza -  Montalcino - S. Antimo - Bagni Vignoni

An itinerary across small, yet great, towns that offer hints of unparalleled historic and architectural interest.

Montepulciano:
Town of Etruscan origin, founded by Arante, son of the mythical King Porsenna from Chiusi.

Piazza Grande: a monumental center not to be missed. The Cathedral, the Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall), several wine cellars (Le Redi cellar is not to be missed!), the Corso (main avenue) with important palaces and the church of San Biagio.

Pienza:
A Renaissance jewel conceived by Pope Pius II, Enea Silvio Piccolomini, built on designs by Giovan Battista Alberti.

Corso Rossellino with its magnificent palaces, Pius II Square, the Cathedral, the Piccolomini Palace and the Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall).

Montalcino:
Renowned for its vineyards, the Rock, the Priori Palace. A glass of the worldwide famous Brunello wine is a must!

S. Antimo Abbey:
Benedictine church founded by Charlemagne. This Romanesque abbey definitely exerts great fascination… A visit is recommended. 

Bagno Vignoni
A Medieval hamlet that develops around a sulfurous spring at the center of the main square.

Route 3 : Surroundings of Mount Amiata

A trip around the volcano cone of Mount Amiata (1733 mt.) that includes a visit to several villages, such as Seggiano, Castel del Piano, Arcidosso, S. Fiora, Piancastagnaio, Abbadia San Salvatore (with stop at the Benedictine abbey of S. Salvatore, founded in the year 743), and Bagni S. Filippo. The excursion will take place amidst enchanting chestnut trees and fir groves. 

Route 4 : Sarteano - Cetona - S. Casciano dei Bagni

A short, half-day trip.

Sarteano is a thermal spa at the foot of Mount Cetona.
Cetona is an Etruscan town that has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as witnessed by the remains in the archeological and natural park in the area of Belvedere-Biancheto.
S. Casciano dei Bagni is also a thermal spa located in a panoramic position.

Route 5 :  Chiusi and Citta' della Pieve

A short excursion of much interest

Chiusi
Etruscan town that reached its peak of splendor during the VII-VI centuries b. C. under the realm of King Porsenna. 

The important monuments to be visited are: the Cathedral, the Museum of the Cathedral, the National Archeological Museum, as well as the Etruscan tomb sites, besides the Lakes of Chiusi and Montepulciano.   

Citta' della Pieve:  the homeland of Perugino is full of interesting sites and works of art, such as:  S. Maria dei Servi, S. Francesco, the Rocca (the Rock), Bandini Palace, Corgna Palace, the Cathedral, Priori Palace, Fargna Palace, S. Maria dei Bianchi, where the grand fresco by Perugino entitled “The Worship of the Three Kings” is conserved. 

Route  6: Orvieto - Amelia - Todi

Orvieto
An Etruscan town sacred since ancient times. To be visited: the Rocca (the Rock) and the Well of St. Patrick, designed by the famous architect Antonio da San Gallo.

The Cathedral with its splendid façade represents the perfect melding of the three major figurative arts: architecture, sculpture and painting. Worthwhile mentioning is the Chapel of S. Brizio and its frescoes by Luca Signorelli.

Amelia
Renowned for the pelagic walls dating back to the V century b. C.Not to be missed: S. Francesco, the Cathedral, S. Agostino and the Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall).

Todi
Beautiful and untouched little town. It has been inhabited since ancient times. Around the characteristic and unique square, also called the Town Hall Square, soar magnificent palaces – the buildings of the Podesta', of the Capitano del Popolo (the People’s Captain) and of the Priori – the Cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace. Todi also hosts a picture-gallery displaying a wide array of frescoes and an Etruscan-Roman Museum.  

Route 7 :   Perugia  -  Assisi

Perugia
The main city in Umbria: first the dwelling of the Umbrian people, it was later inhabited by Etruscans. The city is rich with important monuments:

Piazza IV Novembre (IV November Square) is  famous for its regal charm, thanks to the various monuments that rise around it: the Cathedral, the Major Fountain (the most beautiful in the whole world) and the Priori Palace. Not to be missed the Capitolare Museum with its prestigious works of art, the National Gallery of Umbria, the Collegio della Mercanzia, the Paolina Rock, the Marzia Door, the Academy of Fine Arts  "Pietro Vannucci", the Etruscan Arch, also known as the Arch of Augustus, dating back to the III century b. C., and several more magnificent monuments.

Assisi

Here developed the holy life of Saint Francis. The important monuments to be visited are:Basilica of Saint Francis. Outstanding is its atypical construction, soaring from the overlapping of two churches. Magnificent frescoes are preserved here dating back to the period between the end of 1200 and the beginning of 1300, works of art by Simone Martini, Cimabue and Giotto. 

Several more monuments, especially religious buildings, make of this unique and charming  town the capital of Christianity. To be noticed is that Assisi is one of the most desired destinations for religious pilgrimages, thanks to the importance and number of historic and religious sites.

Route  8 :   Tuoro  -  Gubbio

Tuoro
It is located in the area of Trasimeno Lake. Its importance is mainly due to the fact that this town was the battlefield of Carthaginians (led by the Condottiere Hannibal) and the Romans (captained by Flaminio). Still today, this battle is celebrated every year through a suggestive ceremony held with characters dressed in the ancient costumes of that time.

Gubbio
Ancient  Medieval town in Umbria, worldwide renowned for its majestic beauty and splendor. Among the monuments worthwhile visiting, mention goes to the Monastery of Saint Francis, the remains of the paramount Roman Theater, the Palace of the Capitano del Popolo (the People’s Captain), Piazza Grande. The Consuls Palace  – the outcome of a grandiose architectural design – embodies the apex of civil architecture and can be ranked among the most beautiful Italian buildings devoted to public service.                                                          
Without neglecting the Cathedral, the Pretorio Palace and the Ducale Palace. We must remember that since time unmemorable each year on May 15th a great folk event takes place: the inhabitants of Gubbio participate in a race whereby they run along a strenuous path lifting peculiar wooden machines called "Ceri".    

Route  9 : Cortona - Arezzo

Cortona
Cortona is nicknamed “the mother of Troy and the grandmother of Rome”, because it was founded by the mythical  Dardano, who later had Troy built. First an Umbrian dwelling, then an Etruscan settlement, Cortona is famous for its soaring Etruscan walls that develop around the town borders. Worthwhile visiting are:

The Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall), Signorelli Square, The Museum of Etruscan Academy, the Cathedral, the Sanctuary of S. Margherita, where the shrine of the Saint is still preserved in perfect condition inside a transparent sepulcher, the Madonna del Calcinaio, the Pitagora’s Tavelle, the Convent of Cells (also known as the Convent of Capuchins), and the Palace of Casali.

The “Doors of the Dead”, a town curiosity, are found next to the regular doors of some medieval buildings: these tall, narrow doors were constructed so that a coffin could pass through them. Cortona was the birthplace of eminent people, such as Luca Signorelli, Pietro da Cortona and the futurist painter Gino Soverini.

Arezzo
Etruscan town founded in the IV century b. C. 

Among the monuments that deserve a visit, mention goes to the Church of S. Maria, a remarkable example of Italian Romanesque architecture, the picturesque Piazza Grande, the Pretorio Palace, Petrarca’s home, the Cathedral, the Diocese Museum, the church of S. Maria, the grand Roman Amphitheater, the Archeological Museum "Mecenate" and the marvelous church of Saint Francis with the array of beautiful frescoes by Piero della Francesca that depict the "Legend of the Crucifix”.