5 AMAZING PLACES ALL AROUND US
5 UNMISSABLE SITES TO VISIT WHEN YOU'RE ON HOLIDAY
The marvelous places around the Country House are so many: the villages, the lakes and the valleys are all unmissable sites for the ones who decides to spend holidays here in Cortona . Here for you we choose the most beautiful ones.
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CASTIGLION FIORENTINO 16km
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LAGO TRASIMENO 20km
VAL D’ORCIA 45 km
ABBAZIA DI SAN GALGANO 100km
SAN GIMIGNANO 110 km
CASTIGLION FIORENTINO
It is a small medieval village that stands on a hill 340m above sea level, just 17km from the city of Arezzo. Bound to the east side by the pre-Apennines, Castiglion Fiorentino covers an area of 1120km and it borders to the north with the cities around Arezzo and to the east and south with Cortona.
far from the house: 16Km
The Castilian territory is been occupied since prehistoric times and it has developed its inhabited nucleus during Etruscan era starting already from the 6th century b.c.
The presence of important communication routes it has conditioned the historical events of this place, since ancient times like Chiana River, in those days it was navigable, the the royal road (Via Regia) e the way of penetration towards the Valtiberina. In addition to a fascinating story, Castiglion Fiorentino offers a wonderful landscape to explore.
LAGO TRASIMENO
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It’s the most extended lake of central Italy. The countryside surrounding Trasimeno Lake, frames the surface showing a landscape that leaves breathless. The west coast stretches in a flat strip open towards the Val di Chiana,
Far from the House: 20Km
while the north-west part of the territory of Trasimeno marks the border area between the province of Perugia, of which the lake is part, and the nearby cities of Siena and Arezzo. The hills all around the lake are the production area of a delicious wine called the Hills of Trasimeno.
One of the most important European festival of Blues music, it takes place here every year since 1996, at the end of July, and it’s called the Trasimeno Blues Festival. Every year attracts lots of tourists and fans from all around the world, thanks to an accurate high level, artistic international program.
VAL D'ORCIA
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It is a vast Sienese valley crossed by the river “Orcia” from which it takes its name. It is characterized by enchanting landscape panoramas and numerous medieval villages like Pienza and Montalcino. The valley is an important natural park, and artistic and cultural centre of the area, that since 2004 it’s been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Far from the House: 45Km
TheVal d'Orcia it’s a territory that attracts many tourists because of its beautiful historical landscape as well as its characteristic villages such as San Quirico d'Orcia and Castiglione d'Orcia. The eno-gastronomic tourism is particularly developed thanks to a wide range of fairs and events related to the typical dishes and the wines produced locally. The all area is also an important transit point for the itineraries of pilgrimage that today trace the ancient Francigena Route.
ABBAZIA DI SAN GALGANO​
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It is a Cistercian abbey in the municipality of Chiusdino, which is only 30km from Siena. The site consists of the hermitage known as "Rotonda di Montesiepi" and the same abbey that today is a tourist destination for its legendary charm and its gothic and unique appearance. All around the abbey different legends are told including the one that talks about Saint Galgano, the owner of this place who died in 1181.
Far from the House: 100Km
About him it is said that after he spent a debauched youth, he decided to devote himself to a life as a hermit and in penitence and that during his conversion on Christmas day of 1180, he arrived on the hill of Montesiepi, and infixed his sword into the ground to transform it in a cross. A story that we heard before about a sword in a rock from which take origin the myth as we know today.
The wonderful St Galgano Abbey is also a popular destination for many young couples who decide to get married here in this amazing location celebrating a cerimony under the stars. Yes, outdoors because this very old deconsecrated church is without a roof and this is its main characteristic able to enchant its visitors and leave them speechless.
SAN GIMIGNANO ​
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The birth of this city dates back to very ancient times, and the legend tells that in 63 a.c. the two brothers Muzio and Silvio, two young patricians who fled from Rome, took refuge in Valdelsa and here built two castles: the one of Mucchio and the one of Silvia, the future San Gimignano.
Far from the House: 110Km
The development of San Gimingnano it took place mostly during the three centuries after the middle age, when it was in a important strategic geographic position. Today it’s known as a city of art and culture, full of events that keep up the traditions of this beautiful place rich in history.
