Countryside
Art and culture nestled in natural beauty
Those who want to discover the splendors of the Tuscan countryside will be delighted by the amazing cultural and natural treasures of the whole area. Whether by car, on foot, by bike or on horseback, Tuscany offers myriad opportunities if you are looking to dive into a centuries-old culture immersed in beauty.
The landscape of Chianti looks like it was drawn by hand. Visitors can tour along many itineraries spotlighting forests, vineyards, hamlets and special districts. Don’t miss the Chianti gems around Siena such as Radda, Gaiole, Castellina and Castelnuovo Berardenga. But there's also the Chianti fiorentino: Barberino Val d’Elsa, Greve in Chianti, San Casciano in Val di Pesa and Tavarnelle in Val di Pesa boast rolling hills and vineyards you can enjoy sipping a glass of fine wine. As you cross the territory, you'll find castles, hamlets, solitary abbeys and history-filled villa-farms.
Crete Senesi is a fascinating area, characterized by shapes sculpted from an ever-changing sea of clay. The thermal baths of Rapolano and the truffles of San Giovanni D’Asso are just some of the wonders that this area offers.
In the heart of the land surrounding Siena, you’ll find the Val d'Orcia, a perfect landscape characterized by rolling hills, cypress groves and the sinuous flow of its river. In this authentic treasure chest filled with stunning natural beauty, you cannot miss the historical centers of Pienza and Montalcino. Take a walk through the woods of Vallombrosa to discover enchanting trails that will lead to abbeys built in ancient times.
Just a few kilometers from Florence there's the Mugello, where you can discover interesting traces of history as fascinating as the Renaissance artistic heritage. Mugello hosts beautiful Medici villas, tiny churches and many trails for cyclists. And visit the villas of Lucca, the authentic historical gems that once belonged to noble families who used to live in the area between Versilia and the Apuan Alps.
