Tuscany is
an ideal region for open-air sport activities, due to
the variety and beauty of its landscapes, that range
from the Chianti hills to the Alpi Apuane, the Parks
of the Maremma to the Casentino Forests.
Many sport activities to do such as cycle excursions in
the Val d'Orcia and the Crete Senesi, walks in Garfagnana
and Chianti, horseback excursions in Buonconvento area
or Maremma, flights in a hot-air balloon, truffle-hunting
in the splendid Crete Senesi and around San Miniato, and
much else. Close to Buonconvento there is a tennis court
and a huge comunal pool for swimming either in summer
than in winter. And finally if you are a golfer you can
play in many beautiful 18 holes in the nearby of Buonconvento.
Archabbey
of Monte Oliveto Maggiore
was born on the initiative of Bernardo Tolomei of Siena
(1272-1348) and it is the spiritual centre of the Olivetan
family. Even today it is the monastery that is referred
to and that heads the benedictine Congregation of Saint
Mary of Monte Oliveto. Bernardo, a man of God, chose the
Rule of St.Benedict as a model for daily life, and he
was pationately devoted to Mary from his youth.
At the heart of the Abbey lies the Great Cloister, the
masterpiece of Monte Oliveto, where one can admire the
35 large frescoes requested by Abbod Domenico Airoldi
di Lecco, depicting the life of St. Benedict and painted
first by Luca Signorelli (in 1495) and later by Anotnio
Bazzi known as il Sodoma (in 1505).
Sant'Antimo Abbey
Only 9 km from Montalcino,
one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Italy,
the Abbey of Sant'Antimo, stands in solitary
splendour. According to legend, it is on the site of an
ancient chapel built to the orders of Charlemagne in 781.
In fact, the abbey, an extraordinary example of Romanesque
architecture in French-Lombard style, was built in the
12th and 13th centuries by Abbot Azzo dei Porcari. The
facade, with remains of a portico, seems to be incomplete.
The entrance has a high arch, and bas-relief decorations.
Particularly interesting is the small doorway to the left;
this dates back to the 9th century. Also on this side
is the Bell Tower, with single-light and double-light
windows. The tower also seems never to have been completed.
One of the bells dates back to 1219. The pre-Romanesque
primitive chapel is visible on the right. The interior
has three naves separated by high columns, alternated
with pilasters in clusters in the lower part and twin
lancet galleries above. The capitals in marble from the
nearby Castelnuovo quarry are decorated with floral, human
and geometric figures
Food and Wine tours in
Tuscany
Tuscany and Val d'Orcia area can offer
food and wine aficionados an absolutely unequalled choice
of fine food and wine. Buonconvento in particular, is
famous for it's typical food and possibility to visit
the main wine vinery such as that of Montalcino where
you can tast the famous Brunello and eate tuscany delights
such as the Pecorino Cheese of Pienza, the truffle of
Crete Senesi, Cinta Senese meat products such as Salami!
Termal Baths
The Val d'Orcia
area is perhaps most well known for its thermal water
or hot springs. The most extensive of these hot springs
is Bagno Vignoni, located just a few miles from our
Casa Prisca in Buonconvento. In medieval times Bagno
Vignoni enjoyed great fame and many illustrious people
came to cure their ailments with its water. The water
gushes up in the center pool at a temperature of 50
degrees C. or 120 degrees F. This water is used to treat
rheumatism, skin conditions and to heal fractures. Other
hot springs located in the area are Saturnia Terme,
Bagni San Fillippo and Bagni San Casciano. Visit this
"living world" where harmony, serenity and
beauty express themselves for all to experience.?We
would like you and your family to come and relax while
you discover the beauty and charm of this historic village
and region. Immerse yourself in Roman Tubs and discover
ancient villages.
Bagno Vignoni
is a medieval village with 30 inhabitants, where you can
meditate in front of the large tube filled with hot water
that forms the square of the village or you can visit
the thermal baths open every day between 9.00 am until
18.00 pm. For those who stays for longer at Bagno Vignoni
can go to different baths everyday. Pool's, with thermal
water with different kind of benefits like: Bagni san
Filippo, just 15 min. away, San Casciano dei Bagni about
25-30 min., and Rapolano & Petriolo that you can reach
in about an hour
Bagni San Filippo Thermal Waters
If you want to have a very special hot bath in a little stream in the mid of natural landscape, you have not to miss Bagni San Filippo, a small village on the south of Buonconvento (only 30 min by car) in the hearth of Val d’Orcia and Amiata region. The hot thermal waters have created in the time a particular white stone cascade where you can have thermal bath so for nature lovers the Fosso Bianco is the perfect place, a stream in the woods at the confluence of several hot springs in a series of pools where where you can swim all the year long and enjoy the special limestone formations that for their shapes have inspired the evocative such names as 'the white whale' or 'the glacier'. The area is reachable by a road above the village. The first pools and the first limestone formations are quite close while to see the famous waterfall and swim in the white sulphurous waters must go further. Through a picturesque walking path in the green of the bush to get to the pools, accompanied by the sound of water. Free entrance for everybody!
Monthly Antique
& Handcrafts Markets
Chianciano
(old town centre): first Sunday and previous Saturday.
Montepulciano: second Sunday and previous Saturday.
Siena: third Sunday.
Arezzo (the most important one): first Sunday and previous
Saturday. Anghiari: third Sunday (only uneven months).
Castiglion Fiorentino: fourth Sunday.
Montevarchi: fourth Sunday.
Sarteano: third Sunday (from May to September).
Asciano: second Sunday.
Weekly Local Markets
Monday: Chiusi
Station.
Tuesday: Chiusi town center, Sinalunga.
Wednesday: Chianciano, Siena.
Thursday: Montepulciano, Trequanda, San Casciano dei Bagni
(1st and 3rd Thursday of each month).
Friday: Pienza, Sarteano, Torrita di Siena, Montalcino.
Saturday: Buoncovento, Bettolle, Cetona, Montepulciano Station.
Linen and clothes superdiscount. Pratino: Via Morgantini, 43 53043 Chiusi (SI) 0578222244 Real
linen sheets, cashmere scarves and sweaters, top brand
clothes and suits at ridiculous prices