Help! My husband and three teenage sons are already over in Tuscany and I fly over to join them tomorrow. (Someone has to pay for this trip!) They are asking me to come up with some day trips, given the current bad weather. They took all the books! Can anyone give me pointers for horseback riding, local sagras June 24-30, places to swim in a river or natural pool, factory-type tours, links to good hikes, motorbike rentals, or other ideas that will work for my active and curious guys?
(I thought my husband had this covered...I was wrong!) I deeply appreciate any tips you can share. I'll check the discussion up until 4PM EST June 23.
In San Sepulcro Leonardi Racing at one time rented out bikes. Arezzo and San Sepulcro host a series of 'red' and 'white' nights in July - basically red food and white food - with excellent music. Arezzo is good for at least two day trips. San Sepulcor is very calm. Not many tourists. I was just up there a few weeks back for a photo exhibition - screen stars from the past - a bit over priced at €7.00 but interesting. Of course, you are also close enough to visit Cortona for a day which is a must in my opinion.
Posts: 220 | Location: Tuscany | Registered: 08 April 2008
There are some activities listed on the Anghiari tourism website, here- Anghiari. I'd suggest stopping at the local tourist offices--they'll have local pamphlets and maps, and are usually a good source of on-the-ground advice about local swimming areas, hiking, riding, etc.
We stayed in a villa near Anghiari 3 years ago, and discovered the Monastery at Chiusi della Verna. I believe it's called Santuario della Verna. It's a drive north of Caprese Michelangelo,(In that village you can see the little church that Michelangelo was christened in.) and is spectacular: hanging on a rock face over a large valley. It also contains the robe of St. Francis of Assissi, and has a cave where he slept. It's up in the National Park area. On the way is a place where an artist discovered the rock that Michelangelo painted Adam lying on with his hand outstretched to God, (in the Sistine Chapel). The rock was authenticated by artists and scholars, and the artist lives in a house right there, that is attributed to once belonging to Michelangelo's father or grandfather. http://www.podesteriadichiusi.it/church.asp He will tell you all the stories, and they serve coffee too; worth a visit. I'll try and post this map link. http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q...104306,0.336113&z=12 Just start at Anghiari, follow the small road to Caprese Michelangelo; then to Chiusi della Verna. Have a wonderful holiday!!!! Tell us what you saw when you return!
Sansepolcro is also not far from the Casentino, which is a wonderful area to explore. Here is the beginning of the part of our photo album when we drove through the Casentino. We didn't hike there, but I understand that there are a lot of opportunities for that. Poppi, with its castle, is a great stop. You can search this forum for Casentino to get other ideas.
My sister-in-law thought the castle at Poppi was delightful. I was busy moving the van to keep from getting a parking ticket and didn't go in it myself, which I regret.
There is a nice restaurant at the top of the hill across from the Poppi castle where we had lunch.
Hi all, just back last night. The Poppi Castle visit was a highlight for the boys. We used to live in Ireland and I have seen a ton of castles...this one is special. Partly for its location in a beautiful town, but also for its amazing preservation. And Bill, we happened to have snacks at the restaurant you mention. Great stop.
We travelled via the windy mountainous 207 to 70, from the E45 in Sansepolcro. Future travellers should allow more time that we did....crazy but beautiful roads.
Another favorite side trip was south to Gubbio in Umbria. We road the "human bird cage" funicular up to the Basilica. Despite the lashing rain on our return. We had a solid pizza lunch at the top, and marveled at the preserved dead saint body in the Basilica. Saint Umberto, if I recall correctly. A scary exposed ride, challenging natural elements, a creepy dead body, and pizza. Pretty much a perfect day for teenage boys.
