TERRITORY
TRASIMENO
With a surface of 128 km² it is the 4th largest Italian lake. Settlements have been found dating back to the prehistoric period. In the year 217 b.C. at the lake side, a famous battle was fought between the Roman legions of Gaio Flaminio and the victorious Carthaginians, under the command of the famous general Hannibal. The lake has also a wide variety in fish such as spikes, sun fish etc. There are also 3 islands on Lake Trasimeno that are worth visiting, Isola Polvese, Isola Maggiore and Isola Minore.
AREZZO
Arezzo has Etruscan origins and still retains an extremely interesting historical atmosphere, not only due to important monuments, churches and palaces but also to the people born there who became famous all over the world such as: Caio Cilnio Mecenate, Petrarca, Vasari, Francesco Redi, Guido d'Arezzo and Piero della Francesca.
MONTEPULCIANO
Montepulciano, located on one of the highest Tuscan hills, is a fine example of renaissance architecture. It is known as the pearl of the XV century. The most important treasures dating to this period are: the Cathedral, the Loggia del Mercato and the Avignonese and Tarugi Palaces, as well as Bucelli Palace that hosts the findings of the Etruscan and Roman period. Montepulciano is also famous for its great wine, the vino Nobile and other typical products.
SIENA
Siena is one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in Tuscany, rich with monuments, museums, art and architecture that still tell us of its glorious past. The most important event in Siena is the Palio, a horse race held in the main and most beautiful square on July 2nd and August 16th. During the Palio the city is divided in contradas (areas) and the horses representing each contrada race to win the trophy.
FIRENZE
Florence is for sure one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, famous all over the world for its artistic beauty and treasures that give the city its distinctive look. Florence can be visited on a day trip or with a guided tour, however we suggest to allow an entire day only for the Uffizi Museum.
PERUGIA
The city of Perugia, capital of the region of Umbria, is divided into 5 areas, that take name from the old city gates: Sant’Angelo, Porta Sole, San Pietro, Eburnea e Santa Susanna. In the main square you can find the Cathedral of St. Lorenzo, finished in the year 1430 and the Maggiore Fountain, designed by Fra Bevignate. Right in front of the fountain you can find the Priori Palace, used today as city hall, and the National Gallery of Umbria, one of the most important art galleries of Italy.
ASSISI
Assisi is the town of St. Frances, protector of Italy, born in Assisi in the year 1226, which makes it an extremely important tourist destination throughout the year. Worth visiting are the Cathedrals and St. Francis’s grave. Assisi is also a great example of medieval architecture.
MONTALCINO
Montalcino is located on a hill top that overlooks the valleys of Val D’orcia, Val d’Arbia and Valle dell’Ombrone. A typical medieval town, offers to the tourist the Town Hall, the Cathedral and the Churches of St. Agostino, St. Egidio e St. Frances. In the Archaeological Museum you can see interesting findings dating back from the prehistoric to the Etruscan period. Montalcino however is particularly famous for one of the most famous wines in the world, the Brunello di Montalcino. Made exclusively with Sangiovese grapes from the surrounding area, it is one of the highest rated wines in the whole world.
CORTONA
Was one of the twelve cities of the Etruscan League – substantial fragments of its primitive cyclopean walls can still be seen, incorporated in the medieval walls. Apart from a few fine Renaissance palaces, the prevailing character of Cortona’s architecture is medieval, conferring on the steep narrow streets a strong sense of atmosphere. The city is commandingly situated (altitude 600 metres) and there are magnificent panoramas to every point of the compass, embracing the whole of the Valdichiana. Prominent among many art works of various periods in the Museum MAEC are the Etruscan chandelier known as the "lamp of Cortona", one of the most celebrated bronzes of antiquity, and the "Polymnia Muse", an encaustic painting of the Roman era, of remarkable beauty; displays works of Luca Signorelli, distinguished Renaissance painter and native of Cortona, and a much-admired "Annunciation" by Fra Angelico. The most important medieval buildings are the churches of S. Francesco and S. Domenico and the Palazzo Casale, which has a Renaissance façade. In these, and in the Renaissance churches of S. Maria Nuova and S. Nicolò, valuable works of art are preserved. The neighbourhood of Cortona is dotted with Etruscan monuments: the tomb called "Den of Pythagoras" (2nd century BC) in the Cannaia district; Etruscan tombs and a hypogeum (6th and 7th centuries BC) in the Sodo district. Among the evocative holy places are the romanesque church of S. Angelo in the Metelliano district, the beautiful church of S. Maria delle Grazie (16th century) at Calcinaio and the convent of the Celle, founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Severini’s "Via Crucis" (20th century) accompanies the mystic ascent linking the inhabited centre with the sanctuary of S. Margherita which towers above the town and which, in its turn, is overshadowed by the powerful of Girifalco fortress.
CHIANTI
Chianti is a famous red wine of Italy, which takes its name from a traditional region of Tuscany where it is produced. It used to be easily identified by its squat bottle enclosed in a straw basket, called fiasco; however, the fiasco is only used by a few makers of the wine now; most Chianti is bottled in traditionally shaped wine bottles. Low-end Chianti is fairly inexpensive, with a basic Chianti running less than US$10 for a bottle. More sophisticated Chiantis, however, are made and sold at substantially higher prices. Today, Chianti is generally consumed at room (technically "cellar") temperature, like most other red wines.
