Destination Description:

Always especially attractive to mystics was the eastern part of Tuscany, where old monastic orders have existed through time. No wonder that a mysterious artist like Piero della Francesca has his roots in this area. His fresco cycle gracing San Francesco in Arezzo is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the world. Only few travelers discover the wooded hills off the well-traveled main road, Florence-Rome, even though this area is especially charming in autumn when the woods of Casentino change their color to golden red, and when the mushroom and tartufo-season starts. These regional delights are on sale all over the region on streets and on menu cards in restaurants. In the pastures up in the hills in the east, sheep and white cows gaze. Their milk will be processed into delicious cheese. This part of Tuscany is the land of the holy, the hermits and the monasteries. In the monastery La Verma, up on the hill, the holy Francesco is said to have lived the wonder of stigmatization. The monks of the Benedictine order of Camaldolli (11th century) originally wanted to live in seclusion. However, so many believers came that soon more buildings had to be built near the abbey. The forests surrounding the Vallombrosa abbey became famous with John Miltons Paradise Lost Epic.

The resort Bibbiena:
The main town in Casentino, the upper Arno valley, an elegant little town with old stately buildings, including the important “Palazzo Dovizi” also the beautiful Santa Ippolitie Donato church. Historical resort with 11,500 inhabitants. In the eastern part of the region, on top of a hill, situated at the foot of the Appenin. In an idyllic position. 32 km north from Arezzo, 60 km south-east from Firenze. All ships, restaurants etc, in the resort. Access: motorway A1 Firenze – Roma, Exit number “Firenze Sud,” Then road SS. 67 – SS 70. Access via a winding road. Railway station in the resort. Poppi 7 km. Abbazia Le Verna 20 km. For arrivals by plane” airport Firenze (FLR) 70 km Forli (FRL) 110 km.