CASENTINO: THE VALLEY BEAUTIFUL
Casentino is a small Tuscan valley bordering on Romagna. But this flat geographical description does nothing to describe the sheer splendour of this most beautiful of Tuscan landscapes, a land of myth and magic. One of the most spectacular natural regions of Italy, the Casentino valley is easily accessible from the celebrated tourist destinations of Florence, Arezzo, Siena and Assisi. Renowned for its climate, culture and traditions, Casentino has also flourished as a tourist destination owing to the hospitality of its inhabitants and the variety of its accommodations.
Crossed by the River Arno, Casentino is defined as a “closed valley” owing to its location. From its headwaters on Monte Falterona the Arno meanders through the valley, though it does not have a monopoly on the Casentino’s famous waters. For that, you must travel to Chitignano for its sulphurous waters and the spas of Calcedonia and Bagni di Cetica.
Strategically located in the northwest of Tuscany, the Casentino was historically a region coveted by the Florentines who continually strove to wrest it from Arezzo. Today, the castles of the Guidi family of Poppi, who held estates in the valley, still stand, in some of the Casentino’s most scenically lovely positions: Romena, Porciano, Urbech, Castelleone, Castel San Niccolò, Borgo alla Collina, Montemignaio and Fronzola.
This list of names brings us to Dante Alighieri, who mentions them in many of his writings and who spent part of his exile in the Casentino as a guest of the Count of Battifolle. It is said that he even wrote some of the most famous cantos of the Divine Comedy here, and that the tower of Romena Castle was what inspired the cone-shaped structure of hell in Inferno.
For nature lovers, the Casentino Forests National Park is a must visit. Formed by centuries-old forests of fir, beech and chestnut, the park is a habitat for deer, wild boar, wolves and more species of birds than you can count. And for the culturally inclined, the feast days of patron saints, and pre-Christian village festivals provide plenty of entertainment as well as education about the region’s strong ties to the past.
As we have said earlier, the Casentino has hotels and restaurants to suit every budget, and you really haven’t lived until you’ve tasted traditional, down to earth Casentino food. Straightaway, we can recommend the acquacotta, scottiglia, potato tortelli, ravioli, pork, and chestnuts, but a stay at any one of the hotels on our list will give you a taste of more.
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HOW TO FIND THE BEST TUSCANY APARTMENT RENTALS
Tuscany is one of the finest regions of Italy, famed for its beautiful cities, gorgeous countryside, magnificent old palaces and churches, hospitable locals, excellent cuisine, and outstanding wines. The region receives hundreds of thousands of domestic and international tourists every year, and tourism is one of its largest industries. And while you, as a tourist, will find plenty to admire as you travel around the Tuscan countryside, what can you do to ensure that you stay at the best accommodations your money can buy? We have the answer, so come to us and we’ll show you the best Tuscany apartments to rent.
Imagine staying at the Casa Matilde – three wonderful rural apartments close to the village of Mercatale in the famous Chianti area (yes, the one with the world’s best wines). Casa Matilde is actually a rural house that dates back to 1200 AD, divided into three apartments, and furnished with impeccable taste. So on the one hand, while you can enjoy the charm of a medieval cottage, you will also have the benefit of a garden with barbecue, a furnished terrace, and a swimming pool.
Or take the Via di Mezzo Apartments near a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historic centre of Florence. Located on the second floor of an 18th century building, the 120 sq. m apartment stands on a pleasant street in the heart of town, 150 yards from the Duomo, and 30 yards from the church of Sant’Ambrogio.
These are merely two of the many Tuscany rental apartments that you can access through us, at rates that are extremely reasonable. Besides, we offer you ultimate value for money because the apartments that we recommend are uniformly high quality, and tailor-made to suit all your requirements. We enable you to make direct contact with the owners of these apartments, and you will be able to check out each and every one of them before you decide on the Tuscany apartment that you wish to rent.
The apartments that we have selected are spread across a wide section of Tuscany, from Florence to Chianti near Florence to Siena to Pisa. So wherever you go, you can be sure that you will find the very best Tuscany rental apartments, yours for the duration of your visit. Not only will you have a pleasant stay in the choicest apartments in Tuscany, but we can also guarantee that once you have stayed in these apartments, you will want to stay nowhere else once you return to this beautiful land! For details, check out our comprehensive list of Tuscany apartments.
