"IL VALDARNO" ITINERARIES

Il Valdarno, or the Valley of the River Arno, is rich in interesting things to see and do. Below are only some examples amongst the infinite, attractive possibilities which exist in our region.

Sillabo's staff will be more than happy to supply you with details on the itineraries described, as well as on others.

MYSTIC ITINERARY (on foot)
A four kilometre walk through the hills surrounding the convent of Montecarlo, replicating the route taken for the Good Friday procession. Either alone or in company you can adventure up these hills through woodlands before arriving at the 14th Century convent.

NATURALISTIC ITINERARY (on foot or by bicycle)
A 10 kilometre route, in part road and in part on bush tracks, which leads to an extremely beautiful 17th Century farm. The villa has an interesting Baroque chapel attached to it and a wonderful view of the golden (although this depends on the sun!) geological formations called Le Balze, which inspired the natural visions of Leonardo di Vinci.

Typical restaurants of the zone are:

• Il Corvo
• Osteria Costa Chiara (Tuscan cooking in a rustic atmosphere)
• La Badiola (excellent pizza and open dining in season)

MEDIEVAL ITINERARY (By bicycle)
This 15 kilometre excursion by bicycle, skirting Terranuova Bracciolini

(a city designed from scratch at the end of the 1200's), leads to a charming hill town of Loro Ciuffenna. When you arrive there it's imperative to visit the nearby Pieve di Gropina , a true Roman work of art.

For those who aren't keen on cycling it's possible to undertake this itinerary by public transport to Loro Ciuffenna and then by foot to the Pieve.

Recommended restaurants along the way:

• Il Canto del Maggio (Tuscan fare in an intimate, characteristic atmosphere)

HISTORIC-ARTISTIC TOUR OF SAN GIOVANNI VALDARNO
This is a walk through the particular urban streetscape typical of a city planned from the beginning at the latter part of the 13th Century, with innovations influenced by the Roman city model. It's worth lingering on the Palazzo d'Arnolfo , attributed to the celebrated architect Arnolfo di Cambio, on the Gothic churches of San Lorenzo and San Giovanni Battista, on the house in which the great Renaissance artist Masaccio was born, passing after to the 15th Century Basilica delle Grazie with its museum, small but rich in interest.

A recommended restaurant is the small gastronomic jewel Osteria dell'Angelo, situated in an historically evocative part of the city.

THE TRUE LOVERS OF TUSCANY ITINERARY (By car or bicycle)
This 25 kilometre itinerary, suited to car or expert cyclists, takes you to the splendid Badia a Coltibuono, considered a true crossroads for excursions into Chianti with trails for walkers, bikes or horses. And if that isn't enough, there are a number of castles and parishes nearby. In fact, the route is known as "The road of the Castles of Chianti" and along this wonderful panoramic pass are a large number of wineries for wine lovers.

In the region there are restaurants in perfect harmony between innovation and tradition. They include:
Osteria di Rendola
Ristorante Badia a Coltibuono
Antonio

Among the other itineraries we recommend the Green walking (www.cuoreditoscana.it/natura/percorsiverdie.html) and the road of Sette Ponti (www.setteponti.toscana.it)