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From Montepulciano to Montalcino
Between the Valdichiana and the Val d'Orcia there is the ancient village of Montepulciano renowned for the production of excellent wines and, with its old city centre, it is an important artistic testimony of the Renaissance and of the Middle Ages.
Walking through the town streets bordered by XVI-century buildings, one can visit the Palazzo Cocconi, the Palazzo Cervini and the Palazzo Cagnoni, the Tower of Pulcinella and, eventually, the theatre built in honour of the XVI-century poet Angelo Poliziano who was born here.
Crossing the Val d'Orcia the town of San Quirico can be reached. It is a suggestive medieval village surrounded by XV-century walls, where the XIII-century Collegiata Romanica, the Church of St. Francis and the small Romanesque church of Santa Maria Assunta rise.
Leaving San Quirico, the small town of Montalcino is the next stop. It is famous for its excellent wine and it is important for the historic testimonies of the Roman period, such as the Loggia, the XIV-century Rocca and the Palazzo Comunale.
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From Chiusi to San Casciano dei Bagni
Chiusi is in the southern part of the Valdichiana. It is a medieval small town with Etruscan and Roman traces that can be seen both in the National Museum and in the Dome.
Leaving Chiusi and walking down the slopes of the Cetona Mount, the homonymous medieval town, that still preserves part of its ancient walls, can be reached. Near Cetona, in the Valverde locality, it is possible to visit the Prehistoric caves and the ex-convent of Santa Maria Valverde.
Keeping to this side of the mountain, it is possible to arrive to the thermal resort of San Casciano dei Bagni where the Spa and the Basilican Church, dating to the year 1000, can be visited while walking through the medieval streets.
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From Carrara to Camaiore
Carrara, set along the Versilia seacoast, is famous worldwide for the production of marble coming from the Apuane Alps. Today, these Alps make part of the regional natural park and they are a tourist destination for guided tours inside the caves and excursions.
Besides, the region offers numerous artistic testimonies ranging from the Fontana del Gigante to the Dome, from the Church of the Madonna delle Grazie to the XVI-century Palazzo Cybo-Malaspina.
Keeping to the path of the Apuane Alps, it is worth visiting the Dome and the Church of St. Augustine for their artistic value. They are in the medieval town of Pietrasanta, which is renowned for its marble artistic production and for being the base of important specialized workshops.
Walking along the slopes of the Apuane Alps, Camaiore can be reached. Here, after a stop in the old city centre, the Romanesque Abbey of St. Peter can be visited and one can arrive in Candalla, a well-known town for iron manufacturing.
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