The local town of Castiglione del Lago
Places of interest
The regions of Umbria and Tuscany are steeped in World Heritage sites.
The following cities, towns and attractions can easily be reached within
a one hour drive of the house. 
Cortona - 20 minutes
Immortalised by Francis Mayes in her book “Under The Tuscan
Sun”, this medieval walled town clings to the hillside overlooking
the Val di Chiana. One of the great Etruscan centres, don’t miss
the Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca and it’s treasures, or the climb
through the ancient alleyways and streets to the top of the town and
it's breathtaking views.
 Montepulciano
- 20 minutes
You can see Montepulciano
from the house. This ancient town sits just across the valley, perching
majestically on the opposite hilltop. Montepulciano is the centre of
the famous wine-producing region of the same name and home of the celebrated
Vino Nobile. Stroll along the narrow cobbled streets to soak up the
atmosphere and don’t miss the Piazza Grande at the very top of
the town, with its magnificent cathedral and civic buildings.
Assisi - 40 minutes
Eight hundred years after his death the stories of St Francis’s
great humanity still move us. A place of great spirituality, this beautiful
hilltop city of pilgrimage is a magnificent shrine to his memory.
 Siena
- 45 minutes
This ancient city is a must. Described, as one of the most perfectly
preserved mediaeval cities in the world, the architecture and atmosphere
of the walled town is absolutely stunning. Don’t miss the Piazza
del Campo where the Palio is held twice yearly and the magnificent 12th
century black and white marble Cattedralle dell’Assunta, the Duomo
of Sienna.
 Perugia
- 30 minutes
The capital of Umbria looks out over the valley of the Tiber. A walled
city, it is Italy’s largest fortress and now a vibrant university
city with all the style and sophistication you can expect from one of
the country’s major capitals. Perugia
 La
Foce, Chianciano - 30 minutes
This world famous estate was bought by the Anglo-American writer and
intellectual Iris Origo, and her husband Antonio, in 1924. The magnificent
gardens designed and laid out by English architect Cecil Pinset are
open to the public once a week. Here you can enjoy breathtaking views
across the Val d’Orcia and beyond, towards the extinct volcano
of Mt. Amiata.
 Mt.
Amiata - 40 minutes
If it’s wild countryside you are after, head for the Val d’Orcia
and the extinct volcano of Mt.
Amiata– visible in the distance from the house. Over 6000
feet high, the mountain offers the seasoned walker a range of tracks
and spectacular views from its summit. On the way home stop at the beautiful
town of Pienza famous for its Pecorino cheese.
|
 |
 Food
& Wine
Delicacies of the region include truffles, porchetta (whole
suckling pig stuffed with rosemary and sage), wild boar
salami, olive oil, pecorino cheese and game such as pigeon,
pheasant and guinea fowl.
Perugia is famous for its chocolate and pastries
Famous wines include reds - Brunello di Montalcino, Vino
Nobile di Montepulciano
- and the whites of Orvieto and Verdicchio.
|
|
Isola Maggiore, Lake Trasimeno
A short boat trip across Lake Trasimeno from Passignano sul Trasimeno
brings you to this tiny inhabited island, which St Francis of Assisi
once used as a retreat. Famous for it’s lace making, the island
women can still be seen at home with their needlecraft.
Further afield
Day excursions can easily be made from the house by car or train to
some of the world’s greatest cities. Both Rome and Florence are
less than two hours drive away or an hour and a half by fast train.
Pisa, Assisi, Siena, Perugia, Arezzo and Orvieto are also easily
accessible.
History
Tuoro sul Trasimeno was the site of the
Romans’ defeat by Hannibal and his Carthaginian army.
The Renaissance Palazzo del Capra is built
over the mausoleum of Caius Flaminus the Roman General killed
in the battle.
Tuoro & Lake Trasimeno
The 14th Century walled village of Paciano
regularly voted one of the most picturesque villages in
Italy - overlooks seven hundred acres of perfect hiking
forest thick with deer and wild boar.
In Medieval Panicale the ancient art of
hand embroidery is still practised. Renaissance frescoes
by Perugino decorate the Church of San
Sebastiano. |
|
|
