What to do in the surroundings

What to do in the surroundings

Il Poggiolo is roughly equidistant from the most beautiful historic centers of Tuscany:

  • Florence – 35 min by train and 45 min by car
  • Arezzo – 20 min by train and 30 min by car
  • Siena – 45 min by car

Art, Culture, Gastronomy, Trekking, Cycling….

Poggiolo Tuscany mapFor travel tips, events, art history, and lifestyle information on Florence and Tuscany, including the locations listed below, consult Arttrav, a website written and maintained by a travel-blogger located in Florence. In your accommodation at Il Poggiolo you will also find guide books and maps to use during your stay, but for advance planning, Arttrav has some recommended books listed here.

The official tourism website for the region of Tuscany has some good “starter information” and inspirational videos to help you plan, while the website of the Valdarno (Valley of the Arno river) that flows from Arezzo through Florence is especially useful for local tips.

Each city and province also has an official site; here are the most relevant to our area:

Getting to Florence from Il Poggiolo

The nearest train station is “Montevarchi –Terranuova” on the Florence to Rome/Chiusi/Foligno line. Given the parking problem in all of the Medieval cities in Tuscany, it is often advisable to park your car at the Montevarchi station and just take the train. Ticket one-way to Florence costs €6.40 (reductions for children under 12). Taking the train for a day trip is a good idea (above all to Florence), especially if you calculate the cost of gas and parking (not always easy to find). Cities easily reached by train from Montevarchi include Florence, Arezzo, Cortona, Orvieto, Pisa, Lucca .. and even Rome!

Nature & Relaxation

  • Trekking – ranging from amateur to challenging trails, in both the Apennine Mountains and the Chianti hills (trails marked courtesy of the CAI – Club Alpino Italiano).
  • Country Walks – Just stroll out your front door and walk along the country roads in the neighbourhood. See sunflowers turn as the sun moves across the sky, grapes ripening on the vine, olives being harvested in the late fall. The village of Mercatale is only 3 km. away, a 45 minute stroll. A slightly more challenging jaunt (5 km.) brings you to the 12th-century tower of Galatrona (open on weekends) from which there is a view of the entire Valdarno and Appennine mountain range. Don’t forget to enjoy a cappuccino or gelato at the local café before you walk home!
  • Cycling – Tuscany is bike-friendly! From country paths suitable for families or more challenging itineraries, see the many websites that provide maps, such as:   ValdarnoBikeRoad
  • Natural Parks – the Parco dell’Uccellina south of Grosseto, Pratomagno in the Apennines, and many others.
  • Thermal baths – Rapolano, Bagno Vignoni, Petrolo, Saturnia and many more!
    Swimming – Il Poggiolo does not have its own pool, but there are a number of outdoor pools nearby that can be reached in 10-20 min.
  • County fairs, Gastronomic fêtes and Town holidays (for patron saints) – See announcements of upcoming “sagre” (town fêtes) in Tuscany and other events posted on Artrav.com
  • Historic re-enactments: the Palio of Siena, the Gioco del Saraceno in Arezzo, the Calcio Storico match in Florence, and many more.

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