Recreational Activities and Highly Recommended Places in the Vicinity:

	There are horse-back riding establishments in the area as well as public swimming pools and miniature golf. This is also a great area for bicycling and hiking through the gently sloping hills.

Shopping:There are fabulous markets in Siena, Florence, Chianciano and Perugia. World-famous Deruta has a stunning selection of majolica ceramics. The best gold shops are in Arezzo; for alabaster, go to Volterra , north-west of Siena. Designer fashions at bargain prices are found in the new Val di Chiana Outlet Mall. Festivals in spring, summer and fall abound; the centuries old Palio in Siena, the Festival of the Two Worlds in Spoleto, the Tuscan Sun Festival in Cortona, the feast of the Saraceno in Arezzo and music festivals in Perugia (Jazz) and Montepulciano (choral). Wine: Although the great vineyards of Siena are found in Montepulciano, (Vino Nobile di Montepulciano) and Montalcino (Brunello), there are also the more popularly known Chianti vineyards just north of Siena (Gaiole and Radda).

Architecture: Sant' Antimo: a 1000 year old Monastery with its Romanesque vaulted ceiling where you can be transported back to the middle ages as you assist at a Mass sung in Gregorian chant or attend a classical concert. Have lunch at a local family-run trattoria (Bassomondo) just a few feet off the main road, before you turn down to the monastery.

Monte Oliveto Maggiore: one of the largest active monasteries of the Western world. Built in 1319, it is adorned with artworks by Lucca della Robbia and frescoes by Signorelli and Sodoma(1500's). The monks make a digestivo (called an amaro in Italy) which can be purchased on the site.

Lucignano, a medieval/Renaissance walled town built on a series of concentric circles. Go on market day.

Health spas and thermal baths of Rapolano Terme, Chianciano Terme, San Casciano and Bagno Vignoni draw visitors from all over the world.

The Tyrrhenian Sea and its beaches are a two and a half hour drive from the house. Lake Trasimeno is 15 minute drive away and offers fresh water sports, excursions to the island in the lake, a natural wildlife reserve, and wonderful Umbrian food. This is the lake where Hannibal defeated the Romans after crossing the Alps with his elephants in the Battle of Trasimeno in 217 BC.

Other major centres like Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra, Pisa, Orvieto, Assisi, and Todi are all within comfortable driving distance (from 40 minutes to 1 1/2 hours). Rome centre is only 2 1/2 hours away.

	Pienza, built by Pope Pius II, is considered the perfect example of Renaissance town planning.
Rest stop in one of the local towns - known as a Renaissance jewel		Scene of local residents

pedestrian zone

Umbrian town Bevagne
typical piazza