Surroundings

In the heart of the medieval town, everything tells us about the great seasons of Arezzo's art and architecture. This is a journey through the past of this proud Comune, of which tell us the streets and the old faces of the houses, the color of the sandstone, the unique and beautiful Piazza Grande, the churches and the public palaces survived to the Florentine fury.

Not to be missed the Saracino Joust, a huge historical event and tournament among the city quarters, through which we can lunge into an amazing historical period; other attractions: the antiques fair, the "Legend of the true cross" by Piero della Francesca, the Cimabue's crucifix, the gold jewelry, one of the most important in Italy. Events: Antique fair, first weekend of each month.Saracino Joust, first Sunday in June and September

Speaking of Montalcino immediately springs to mind the Brunello, world famous D.O.C.G. wine, but Montalcino is not just wine, it is also a fortified town that holds part of the 19 wall towers and the ancient water fountains that give it an austere albeit fascinating look.

The medieval buildings are beautiful and enlivened by the typical shops and wine bars.In the most inaccessible part of the "Crete Senesi" area one finds the unmistakable silhouette of the Abbey of Monte Oliveto, a gorgeous convent guarded on three sides by sheer cliffs and surrounded by a large garden embellished with a sixteenth century fish pool.

Montepulciano and Pienza - About 30 Km from Cortona, a day to discover two delightful towns: Montepulciano, a city that history wants founded by the Etruscan Porsenna ... and that certainly exists since 714 BC The numerous works of Renaissance artists have earned the town the name of "Pearl of the Sixteenth Century", now together with the production of Vino Nobile is famous throughout the world.

Stopping to admire the church of San Biagio and the panorama that surrounds it, we also head towards Pienza, a true, small jewel wanted by Pope Pius II and represents the first application of the humanistic-Renaissance concept of civitas and the original nucleus of development of ideal city project.

Lake Trasimeno is located in the green heart of Umbria, amidst beds of reeds and charming white water lilies. It’s a true natural paradise home to wild ducks, cormorants, kites and kingfishers. Beyond the downward slope, gentle hills form the backdrop to the lake, along with sporadic woods and sunflower and corn fields, vineyards and olive groves. Agriculture here is still carried out following traditional techniques. Several town are located on Lake Trasimeno. Some of them directly face the lake while others are nearby and are affected by the charm and attraction of this sheet of water.

The heart of Christian spirituality, Assisi, is laid out in terraces on the slopes of Mount Subasio following a typical medieval plan over imposing the Roman city. The historical center, pivoting around the Franciscan Basilica and on the three large squares: City Hall, San Rufino, and Santa Chiara enclose exceptional monuments of architecture and figurative arts.

In the same day we advise a short hop to the nearby Spello, typical village on the eastern slope of Mount Subasio. The church of Santa Maria Maggiore alone is worth the visit, with paintings by Perugino and the beautiful Baglioni Chapel frescoed by Pinturicchio.