If you enjoy a mixture of culinary, historical and cultural expeditions on your travels then perhaps basing a few days of your holiday in the region of Casentino in Tuscany would appeal to you.
The Casentino valley has plenty of vacation rentals to choose from for your stay here.
There are several suggested articles of day trips to embark on in this region that visitors are sure to enjoy thoroughly. This particular article describes local festivals, historical sites and delicious cuisine that can be found in this detailed trail of towns and villages.
Only fifteen minute’s drive from Bibbiena is the charming town of Borgo alla Collina. The people of this town love to celebrate and if visitors are lucky enough to be passing through this area during the summer months, they’re in for a treat! Every year Borgo all Collina hosts a theatre festival during the months of July and August. In the Piazza Dante Alighieri, people fill up the area to watch comedy, dance, opera and plays being performed.
The Casentino valley has plenty of vacation rentals to choose from for your stay here.
There are several suggested articles of day trips to embark on in this region that visitors are sure to enjoy thoroughly. This particular article describes local festivals, historical sites and delicious cuisine that can be found in this detailed trail of towns and villages.
Only fifteen minute’s drive from Bibbiena is the charming town of Borgo alla Collina. The people of this town love to celebrate and if visitors are lucky enough to be passing through this area during the summer months, they’re in for a treat! Every year Borgo all Collina hosts a theatre festival during the months of July and August. In the Piazza Dante Alighieri, people fill up the area to watch comedy, dance, opera and plays being performed.
On the first Saturday and Sunday in August every year, the ‘Wheat Threshing Festival’ takes place where men ‘beat’ the threshing wheat across barrels and women cook traditional dishes long associated with the harvesting season. In the evening, the old custom ‘Dinner in the Yard’ takes place where the locals come together to relax after a long day’s work and feast together. Visitors are very welcome to join in with the weekend festivities where music is played and fine wine is savoured.
A lovely restaurant to eat here at any time of the year is called ‘Osteria Bruschetteria’ which specialises in bruschetta and would be a lovely spot to rest before walking onto the next part of the journey.
The lovely town of Castel San Niccolò is less than five minute’s walk from Borgo all Collina and was assembled from remnants of ancient villages. There are ruins here of what was once a grand castle. The variety of tiny hamlets that were built in different time periods have finally come together in this town and have given it a rich artistic and cultural heritage.
A lovely restaurant to eat here at any time of the year is called ‘Osteria Bruschetteria’ which specialises in bruschetta and would be a lovely spot to rest before walking onto the next part of the journey.
The lovely town of Castel San Niccolò is less than five minute’s walk from Borgo all Collina and was assembled from remnants of ancient villages. There are ruins here of what was once a grand castle. The variety of tiny hamlets that were built in different time periods have finally come together in this town and have given it a rich artistic and cultural heritage.
Just over two kilometres from here is the bustling market town of Strada in the heart of the Casentino region. This place is also known as ‘The Stonecutters town’ because of the old sandstone quarries in the district. Many stonemasonry tools were discovered here which artisans would have brought with them to decorate in the interior and exteriors of many grand houses and palaces in Tuscan cities. Each year at the beginning of September a stonecutter show takes place. Stone masons and sculptors come from all over Italy to celebrate their work and engage in competitions!
In the centre of the town, the Piazza Matteotti is surrounded by the Vettori Palaces.
The Loggia del Grano, a 15th century grand pavilion, is the centre focus for the square where visitors can sit and eat a tasty picnic lunch bought from the local stalls. A decorative chapel on the edge of the square houses an interesting painting of the ‘Crowned Virgin Mary’ created by Santi di Tito in 1580.
After some rest, finish off this spectacular day trip with a final stop in the small village of Montemignaio which is situated in the centre of dense woodland where several types of delicious mushrooms are harvested. This charming little village is one of the smallest in the land yet it has a lot to offer! The church of the Madonna is located here, a Romanesque building. Inside is a masterpiece painting by Ghirlandaio named ‘Madonna with Child and Saints’. Nearby, tourists can wander along an ancient path that once connected Florence with Casentino.
This magnificent tour is a great way of seeing the best of a region in a nutshell. It would be a treasured memory to bring home of your holiday experience in Tuscany!
In the centre of the town, the Piazza Matteotti is surrounded by the Vettori Palaces.
The Loggia del Grano, a 15th century grand pavilion, is the centre focus for the square where visitors can sit and eat a tasty picnic lunch bought from the local stalls. A decorative chapel on the edge of the square houses an interesting painting of the ‘Crowned Virgin Mary’ created by Santi di Tito in 1580.
After some rest, finish off this spectacular day trip with a final stop in the small village of Montemignaio which is situated in the centre of dense woodland where several types of delicious mushrooms are harvested. This charming little village is one of the smallest in the land yet it has a lot to offer! The church of the Madonna is located here, a Romanesque building. Inside is a masterpiece painting by Ghirlandaio named ‘Madonna with Child and Saints’. Nearby, tourists can wander along an ancient path that once connected Florence with Casentino.
This magnificent tour is a great way of seeing the best of a region in a nutshell. It would be a treasured memory to bring home of your holiday experience in Tuscany!