Archive for 'Localities'

Despite the scenic town of Pomarance being situated in a place called the ‘Valley of Hell’, it is actually one of the most beautiful places in all of Tuscany! Valle del Diavolo was given its name due to the geothermal activity that goes on here; geysers and boric acid vents emit thick steam and gases into the air because of volcanic activity going on beneath the tectonic plate here.

As proof of Pomarance’s beauty and tourist attractiveness, it has been awarded the impressive Orange Flag award for staying true to its medieval architecture and having a fantastic tourist information office with great advice on what to do and see here.

There is a wealth of excellent holiday rentals in the Pomarance area for those wishing to stay for a few days and embark on an exploration of this unusual place.

For a relaxing yet cultural tourist experience, why not take a day to explore the beautiful hilltop town of Trequanda in Tuscany. It earned the prestigious Orange Flag Award for its terracotta coloured town, splendid architectural features and a lovely range of well organised tourist sites to visit. Visitors have plenty of luxury villas and other holiday rentals available for them to enjoy a peaceful stay in the Trequanda area.

Why not begin the day with a tour of the ruins of Cacciaconti castle with its unusual cylindrical tower of black and white monochrome style blocks. Sadly only the towers and surrounding walls remain of what was once a glorious fortress.

Art lovers would enjoy a stroll around the church of Saints Peter and Andrew which houses splendid frescoes by Sodoma, a 15th century altarpiece by Giovanni di Paolo and a terracotta statue of ‘Madonna with Infant’ by Sansovino. The territory of Trequanda town encases the villages of Petroio and Castelmuzio. They would be excellent spots to bring a picnic lunch and savour a fine selection of local breads, cheeses, and smoked sausages, washed down with a sweet bottle of wine perhaps?

A valuable addition to your Tuscan holiday would be a trip to the stunning Orange Flag awarded town of Montefollonico! It sits on a forested hill between Val di Chiana and Val d’Orcia.

The town is thought to have received its name by the Romans who called the cloth weavers of the area ‘fullones’. Visitors wishing to explore the area for a day or two have plenty of exclusive villas the Val di Chiana and vacation rentals available in the Val d’Orcia areas to stay in an enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of Montefollonico.

The town itself is thought to have developed between the twelfth and thirteenth century and the surrounding walls and towers were added a century later. It withstood many fierce battles from quarrelling communes and is one of the few towns in Italy today that have their original town walls almost entirely intact!

In the scenic Val d’Orcia in the Siena province of Tuscany, is the rural yet elegant town of Radicofani. This stunning Orange Flag awarded town surrounds the base of a hill on which a majestic castle, Rocca di Radicofani has stood since 973AD. Tourists would thoroughly enjoy a day or two of exploring this exquisite place, full of history, art and wonder. There are a fine selection of villas available in the Val d’Orcia area to book into for a tranquil few days of meandering around the splendid architecture of this little town.
If you would like to begin the day with a trek up the steep hill to the Castle of Radicofani, then allow some time to walk around the trees and see the ancient wells, arches and vaults that are hidden by the thick forest.

Visit one of the most scenic places in all of Italy, the rustic town of Sarteano in the south of Tuscany! It’s an ancient town with an intricate network of narrow streets and alleys built at the base of a huge medieval castle dating from 1038. It stands on a plateau of Mount Cetona at over five hundred metres above sea level and is a perfect blend of manmade structures and nature.

This harmonious coexistence and varied range of interesting tourist attractions has earned it the esteemed Orange Flag award. Tourists wishing to stay here for a few days have a great choice of vacation rentals in Sarteano.