Things to do, Places to See

You can see Marlena De Blasi's "A Thousand Days in Tuscany" town just 15K away where the most wonderful thermal baths are located, just a 20 minute drive away, at San Casciano Dei Bagni. You can simply use the thermal pool or book yourself into the facilities suit for a massage, skin treatments or other relaxation techniques. Or for more choice of spa's, drive to Chianciano Terme a nearby thermal spa town rivalling both Bath and Malvern for the number of treatments and pampering facilities available. Distance 20 Km. Both "My House in Umbria" and "Under the Tuscan Sun" were filmed in this general area too. There are markets, events and stunning views around every corner.

Montepulciano is where the views and wine are the Tuscan ideal and only 40 minutes away, dist. 30 Km The Avignonesi estate produces the famouse wines of the region and the sweet Vin Santo near Montepulciano offering excellent tours by arrangement and long lunches.

Pienza, designed by a Pope as the perfect town, with the views alone are worth the trip and located to the west of Montepulciano, and seems to grow out of the top of the hill, dist. 40 Km.

Siena is about an hour away where the famous shell shaped piazza is located and the bell tower that was so tall the man who had to wind the clock spent all his money on food just to enable him to make the steps to the top twice a day. It is now automated but the view from the is exceptional, if you have the tenacity to try. The Palio is held twice a year in June and August., they also have trotting races.

Orvieto to the south just 47 Km away, has the amazing liquorice striped Duomo and many small shops selling the majolica ware in every style and decoration imaginable from full sized tables to tiny medallions, Visit St Patrick's well with 245 steps in each direction and wide enough for donkeys to travel up and down and it is possible to explore the unseen passages and caves below the town or go to Deruta where majolica was invented and is still the primary profession of the locals.

Lake Trasimeno is the 4th largest lake in Italy with the towns of Castiglione del Lago, dist. 30 Km and Passingnao del Lago dist. 50 Km. on its shores. Passingano is an old Etrucan town where the lake tours to the Island begin and has good views of the lake and reasonable eating places. Castleone is bigger with the old centre located on the peninsular with an open air theatre that doubles as a cinema in the old castle ruins. There is also a ferry here to the island and fishing trips can be arranged.

Cortona is world famous for two films, Fillini’s "La Dolci Vita" and the more recent "Under the Tuscan Sun" with manyvisitors coming to see the famous fountain that played a focal point in both films. Sad to say it doesn’t exist, being a film prop, however there is plenty to see. The 3000 year old town sits high on the peak of the hill with stunning views to Lake Trasimeno and the mountains beyond. The Etruscan walls are still very much in evidence with tombs located in the valley below. The monastery is well worth a visit and the local artisans produce the most astonishing marquetry in tiny tucked away shops in the narrow mediaeval streets. An straight forward hour’s drive with the opportunity to visit other towns, the outlet village en-route.

Lake Bolsena in Lazio to the south and has a more tourist feel about it. Recently the town has under gone a huge renovation project to be more accessible and user friendly.

Visit the many small hill top towns, with Etruscan origins or older, all with churches and architecture of note. There are walks, wineries, cycle routes, festivals, markets, golf, churches, potteries, olive oil products and horse riding all available locally.

Other places nearby to visit include: Assisi : dist. 83 Km. Cetona : dist. 20 Km. Chiusi : dist. 10 Km. Città della Pieve : dist. 5 Km. Corciano : dist. 55 Km. Florence : 110 Km 90 minutes, Magione : dist. 45 Km Paciano : dist. 25 Km Panicale; dist. 30 Km. Perugia : 60 Km. Rome : 140 Km, Spoleto : dist. 123 Km. Todi : 120 Km. However if you find you miss the city life hop on a train and in 90 minutes for about £5.50 you can be in Rome feasting on its cultural sights. Florence is also easily accessible too.

It is possible to try something different every day, but no matter where you explore the food will begood, the people friendly and the countryside sublime.
 
 
 

Museum Information

In Florence Amici degli Uffizi membership, at EU 60.00 per year for individual membership, offers free entrance to the Uffizi and other State museums in the city. From September 2010 visitors to Florence will be able to purchase a multiple-venue museum card valid for three days for EU 50.00. At the time of writing this card will allow entrance to 33 museums, including the Uffizi, the Palazzo Medici Riccardi and the Palazzo Vecchio. Negotiations are still ongoing with diocese-run and University museums. The card will allow reservations and will come with a three-day bus pass. In Rome the Rome Archaeology Card allows entrance to ten sites including the Colosseum, the Forum, the Baths of Caracalla and the Appia Antica and costs EU 23.50 or EU13.50 for EU citizens aged 18 - 25. The Roma Pass offers transport and free admission to two museums plus discounts on others. There is free admission to the Vatican Museums on the last Sunday of each month. Venice has a Museum Pass for all civic museums in the city and a card for the museums around St Mark's Square. The "Museum Card per i Musei di Piazza San Marco" gives you a single ticket for the Palazzo Ducale plus all museums in the Square and one other civic museum. It is available from www.tickitaly.com or from www.veniceconnected.com.

The Milano card offers 24 or 72 hours of free public transport and discounts on museum entry. It is available from www.milano24ore.net and includes discounts at various restaurants and entertainment venues around the city.

In Verona the Veronacard , available at museums, monuments, churches, tobacconists and the IAT Tourist Centre in the city, will allow you to travel free on city buses and give you free entrance to museums and monuments within the city. A one-day card costs EU 10.00 and a three-day card EU 15.00. You can find more information from them.

The Campania artecard allows you to choose your own itinerary and there are three or seven-day versions. There is also a 365-day Campania artecard for EU 40. This gives you free or discounted entry to all arch aeological sites in Naples and Campania and to various museums. The cards are available from the infopoint at Naples Central Station. There is more information here.

In addition many cities in Italy run hop-on, hop-off bus tours and tickets usually includ e discounted entrance to museums and discount vouchers for restaurants. These tours are excellent for getting the "feel" of a city. It is a good idea to stay on the bus for the full tour the first time round so that you can decide where you want to stop off on the next circuit.

It is always worth checking with your tour operator if they offer museum cards or discounts and you can usually book museum or archaeological site tickets online. This could save you both money and hours of queuing, especially for m ajor exhibitions. Admission to many museums is free for EU citizens aged under 18 or over 65 but you will need a proof of identity. And please remember that most museums in Italy are closed on Mondays!

PRESS tours, tastes and tutors

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