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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HOTELS IN TUSCANY: YOUR GUIDE TO A PERFECT HOLIDAY
Most tourists who visit Tuscany once can’t help coming back for a return visit. Well, the hotels that you stay in while you holiday in Tuscany should have the same quality – once you stay in them, you can’t stay anywhere else. And we can promise you a choice of Tuscany hotels that will leave you yearning to return to this beautiful region of Italy, with its dazzling landscapes, wonderful cuisine, warm locals and celebrated wines.
The hotels on our list rank among the best in Tuscany, and offer you the best value for money in terms of modern comforts, luxury, and elegance. They are located in some of the most picturesque areas of Tuscany, and offer you access to some of its most famous cities, such as Florence, Pisa, and Siena.
The Hotel Residence Toscana Verde, for example, stands in the heart of old Etruria. Originally an old tobacco-working factory where Tuscan cigars were made, the hotel today stands inside a protected nature reserve, that of Ponte a Buriano Penna. All the bedrooms contain air-conditioning units, mini bars, satellite TV, telephones, and safe deposit boxes. The excellent restaurant offers many traditional Tuscan dishes. The complex also features 20 apartments, with kitchens. These can be rented according to the resort formula.
Then there’s the I Cedri, a new three-star hotel that is just a stone’s throw from Florence, a perfect blend of culture and business, ideal for the manager and the businessman who wants to combine business with pleasure, and also for the tourist who can admire both the city and the beautiful hills that surround it. The hotel has 15 double bedrooms, all trendily furnished and equipped with air-conditioning, mini bars, safes, TV sets and telephones. It also has a private car park and a breakfast room where a delicious buffet breakfast is served every morning.
But these are just two examples that give you a taste of the kind of Tuscan hotel accommodation that we can offer. Our hotels have been chosen to suit every budget, and will make you so comfortable that you will feel as though you are at home. We offer direct links to the Tuscany hotel of your choice, and you will never want to stay anywhere else in Tuscany once you have stayed at one of ours. So come and check us out because Tuscany awaits you!
