Archive for 'Small Towns'

Situated in close proximity to Florence and Arezzo, Loro Ciuffenna is a beautiful town nestled into the countryside at the foot of Mount Pratomagno. Visitors will benefit from the natural beauty that lies all around this town, including the banks of the river Arno and the unique rock formations made up of sand and clay. These are called "balze," and have provided inspiration to many artists throughout the years, including Leonardo da Vinci who would often come to this part of the Tuscan countryside to sketch and paint. The village itself seems forgotten by time, and you will feel the leisurely pace as you stroll through its winding pathways and gentle scenery. There are many small stone houses that are located in and around Loro Ciuffenna, with old bridges left over from the Middle Ages.

The small, picturesque town of San Miniato was located on the important via Francigena during medieval times, linking it with northern Europe and Rome. It was also located on the route between the Lucca-Siena and Florence-Pisa roads, giving it a wide range of influences from around Italy as well as abroad.

Yet this interesting town's history goes even further back than that, because archaeologists have found evidence that the city has been settled since the Paleolithic era, surviving through the Etruscan and Roman periods. Its long history of settlement may be due in part to its strategic location, on top of three small hills in the province of Pisa, Tuscany.

Loro Ciuffenna is located in the Arno Valley in Tuscany, Italy. When you visit Loro Ciuffenna you'll feel like you stepped back in time with it's narrow streets and alleys which date back to the Etruscan era. In the center of town there is an old Roman bridge that spans the raging currents below. An old mill, which recently closed, was powered by a water wheel for over 100 years and is still visible from the bridge today. Wandering through the streets is an amazing experience, if you're in the area be sure to stop and visit.

Loro Ciuffenna is located about halfway between Florence and Arezzo making it a great location for renting a villa. For such a small village there are a surprising number of good restaurants in town, as well as, nearby in Terranuova Bracciolini. If you're looking for a good Florentine steak be sure to visit Restaurante Il Cipresso in Loro. If you're in the mood for ice cream one of the best gelato shops in the area is located just before the bridge in the center of town.

Villas in Loro Ciuffenna, Italy are available for your next vacation or holiday, either by the week or daily. If you prefer to stay closer to large city, browse our villas near Florence, Italy. Otherwise, click here to check our complete selection of home vacation rentals in Tuscany.

I believe that every person that loves Tuscany must go and see the the little walled village of Monteriggioni.

It’s very close to Siena and Monteriggioni is famous for its ancient city walls, a splendid example of medieval architecture built by the Sienese in 1213 as a front line in their wars against Florence and maintained – to this day – virtually intact.

The Tuscan poet Dante Alighieri used the turrets of Monterrigioni to evoke the sight of the ring of giants encircling the Infernal abyss.