At
564 metres above sea level, Montalcino is one of the
highest points in the area and on a clear day, as well
as seeing Siena and Pienza, it is possible to see the
islands of Corsica and Elba, the Apuane Alps and the
dormant volcano of Mount Amiata. Montalcino hosts a
Jazz festival alongside its Wine Festival in July.
International artists and local jazz musicians entertain
the crowds who have flocked to the area to taste the
famous Brunello wines.
Just 12kms from Montalcino is
Casa Cerralta. This large villa sleeps between
14-18 people and is located within the national park of
the Val d'Orcio. In addition to the chlorine free
swimming pool, the villa has a games room with Billiard
table and table football game.
Montepulciano
has featured in Hollywood movies such as 'Under the
Tuscan Sun' and 'Midsummer Nights Dream' but is most
famous for its wine production and slower pace of life.
The walled city is host to a number of amazing
Renaissance buildings and its Piazza is considered to be
one of the finest in Italy. The area has a number of
thermal spas making the most of the natural springs that
you can visit. Be sure to try to visit at the end of
August for the 'Bravio delle Botti' - in honour of the
wine production the 8 areas of the city complete a
course through the historic streets whilst pushing an
oak barrel weighing 85kg.
The small hamlet of
Fattoria Armena is within 30 minutes drive of
Montepulciano. Lying within the Val di Chiana, Fattoria
Armena boasts great views, an excellent location and
just 3 apartments (sleeps from 4-7 people). When
visiting the area you are also able to enjoy a round of
golf at the Val di Chiana golf club.
Pienza
was rebuilt from the village of Corsignano in the 15th
Century. Corsignano was the birthplace of the much
revered Pope Pius II and it was he who set about
transforming Pienza into the Renaissance town that you
see today so that he could use it as a retreat from Rome.
Just outside of Pienza, the monastery of Sant'Anna in
Camprena was used in the oscar winning film The English
Patient. UNESCO declared Pienza a World Heritage Site
in 1996.
16 miles/26km from Pienza is the farm estate villa
Podere Camera. The villa can be rented for
7 people or for
11 people and even features its own small fishing
lake.
The flatter landscape of south Siena need not prevent
you from seeing the main cities of Tuscany as the main
Rome-Florence railway runs through the area. The best
place to pick up the route is at Chiusi-Chianciano Terme
station - almost equi-distant between Rome and Florence.
The sleepy town of Chiusi hides a more active past when
as one of the main 12 towns of the Etruscan League it
attacked Rome!
San
Giovanni d'Asso is an area much fought over throughout
Italian history with Siena and Florence both taking charge
of it at various stages of its development. Napoleon
Bonaparte annexed it to the French crown in 1814 but it was
eventually returned to Italian rule and to the province of
Siena. It is most famous for the White Truffles which can
be found in the area and in November the White Truffle
Festival takes place in the town. The towns Castle houses
the museum dedicated to this delicacy which can cost
thousands of pounds. The Medieval history of the area is
reinacted in the Giostra di Simone. This jousting
competition takes place at the beginning of August and has
contests on horseback and with bow and arrow. The scene is
completed by the people of San Giovanni d'Asso wearing
medieval costumes throughout the tournament.