Town of Seggiano in Valdorcia

Seggiano, located just south of Bagno Vignoe and San Quirico d'Orcia

is a quaint little town set in the the rural setting of Monte Amiata with many little towns with medieval characteristics.
Stone walls, gently sloping hillsides, olive groves and huge forests of beech and chestnut rich with a wild life that can be tasty on the table such as wild boar and deer.




You won't find much written about it in the tour guide books but it makes up a line of pleasant little stops along the way to visit the summit of Monte Amiata where you can picnic or simply enjoy hiking in one of the highest points of southern Tuscany. This imposing mount can be seen from distances as far away as Montepulciano.



This is a lazy little setting, and you will enjoy walking the streets and admiring the views. They are not geared up for tourism at all, so you won't find a lot of quaint little boutiques or fancy enoteca's with the latest in wine and cheese just simple good food in a typical Tuscan environment.



Though picturesque, they could have better planned the parking lot around the Renaissance church of Madonna della Carit�, which literally creates an asphalt garden in the middle of the olive groves.

Poppi near Arezzo

Poppi rises on a hill dominating the Arno river in the Casentino Valley. The seat of the Count Guidi family who ruled the valley from the early 1000s until 1289 when they finally became part of the Florentine Republic. From the late 1200s to 1448 the Guidi family presided in the Palazzo dei Guidi and controlled the land from Poppi to the mountain pass of the Consuma. Approaching the Campaldino plain, the tall and imposing thirteenth-century castle of the Guidi Counts on the hilltop of Poppi dominates the surrounding countryside. The Castle is characterised by a facade with double-arched windows and the tall tower rising from the centre




Inside the Castel of Poppi is the famous "Biblioteca Rilliana", with a wealth of important volumes, and the Chapel frescoed by Taddeo Gaddi, Giotto``s favourite pupil. On the outskirts of the residential centre of Ponte a Poppi stands the Convent of Certomondo, with a church dedicated to SS. Annunziata e Giovan Battista, which was built for the Guidi Counts in 1260. In the 1440 s, in an unsuccessful attempt to capture full control of their lands the Guidi family fell out of grace and where permanently exiled from their territory.



The late-thirteenth-century Badia di S. Fedele in the old town centre of Poppi houses many precious paintings, while to the north of the town lies the 10th-century Abbey of Strumi.

Gulf of Baratti

Gulf of Barati

Here you find not only wonderful water that is calm even when the sea is rough but also Etruscan ruins nearby, and a medieval fortress up above.

Not only great for the quite soft beaches, but is nestled under Populonia, a spectacular promontory about 70 km south of Livorno; it`s shielded from the sea and calm. With calm seas, on the other hand, Populonia has dozens of tiny inlets that can only be reached by boat. It`s a sun-worshiper`s paradise, and also a diver`s -- you may even find something Etruscan under the waves, because Baratti is where the Etruscans smelted the iron ore they mined on Elba, and their transport ships did occasionally sink.




The tombs of the necropolis of Populonia are located close to the gulf of Baratti, and the powerful cities of Roselle and Vetulonia once overlooked Lake Prile. The ancient Etruscan cities, and the finds and remains scattered around the region are now being safeguarded bu such schemes as the Prco Archeologico-Naturalistico Baratti-Populonia and, in the province of Grosseto, the Parco della Civilt� Etrusca, comprising five separate archaeological areas.




Many of the seaside resorts, from Castiglioncello to the border with Lazio - including San Vincenzo, Follonica, and Gulf of Baratti - are shaded by large umbrella pines. These pinewoods, often planted to replace the original coastal forests of holm oaks and other trees, are part of a landscape that was formed at least two centuries ago by human intervention.




They are now a familiar feature of the Tuscan coast and constitute a natural environment worthy of special protection, not only because they are the habitat of a wide variety of flora and fauna, including the dense Mediterranean undergrowth, but also because they are notable tourist attraction, offering opportunities for delightful walks and cycle rides, or simply shade for bathers on hot sunny days.




In past centuries the economic and cultural life of Tuscany was concentrated in the towns and villages built for safety on the heights, and still surrounded by walls today, while the magnificent facades of their battlemented civic buildings are decorated with the coasts of arms of the "podest�" who ruled them. The wach-towers, the well-defended gates, the fortresses also served to control mineral deposits, outlets to the sea and important trade routes.

The Tuscan coast

Most people image the only the sandy beaches of Tuscany, however when you are finished lazing around on the sunny sands you can hop a ride only a few km in from Cecina and visit some charming little towns still steeped in tradition and Tuscany atmosphere.



Tucked in far enough away from the Costa degli Etruschi to not hear the lapping waves, these little towns are placed on high hills and command incredible views of the soft hills of the Maremma. The Maremma is known for is ample area of fields of grain ---sometimes even compared to the American wide west (and used in the so called Spaghetti Westerns.)




Some other places that merit a stop on your afternoon touring the countryside, and are all within a few km of Cecina include Suvereto. This small village in the Maremma experienced its golden age during the 13th century. Wars, skirmishes, and above all the high death toll caused by the unhealthy air almost completely wiped out village life in Suvereto during the 17th and 18th centuries.




Hop in you car and go a little further to visit the town of B�lgheri. Not only with you find the Rifugio Faunistico di B�lgheri and be able to see (but not eat) boar, roe-buck, martens, black and white porcupines and the occasional otter as well as a wide selection of bird life. There is also a long road of approx. 5 km lined with cypress tress both on the right and left.


Don't expect to find fish restaurants this far away from the ocean. Tuscany is still pretty divided about their food and the hills definitely stick to a more heartier and meatier menu. You will find the classical pasta's with home made meat sauce, sometimes even specializing in wild boar or leper. Meat on the grill and oven baked potatoes are another classical dish. However in the summer everybody loves a pizza and that is true in the mountains or by the seaside.





You will definitely want to participate in the never ending Italian debate on who produces the best olive oil. And of course this area is no different than all the others and they insist it is the best so test for yourself and order a classical bruschetta with olive oil and fresh tomatoes and then let us know.




The photos on this page are photos we took of the scenery that runs inland along the Tuscan coast, and most partain to the small quaint town of Casale only minutes away from Cecina. but you can reach all of the towns mentioned with a short drive and less than 40km.

Castello di Pierle near Cortona

Found on a winding road just south of Cortona, the ruins of this castle make an interesting side trip along the way to Lago Trasimeno. Many consider what is left of Castello di Pierle to be one of the most beautiful and mighty examples of a feudal castle in Tuscany. As you make one of the last of the curves you will catch glimpses of this dominant structure among the green valley.


To simply imagine the grandeur of such a castle with external walls that are almost 2 meters thick and the castle itself rising to almost 5 floors, this impressive record of history stands as it did almost 500 years ago. Its position and the lack of local interest has left it to sit in history almost as it was built. Inside, one can admire the circumference of the walls from 5 to 8 metres (16 to 26 ft) high, the three imposing towers, only one of which today is still almost integral, and the residential keep-palace.


The castle existed already in X the century and was property of the marquises of the Saint Mount Maria Tiberina. In 1428 there is a contract of sale by the Republic of Florence and payment of 1200 fiorini of gold when it became free of Cortona. However that wasn�t enough to save the Rocca, and it was voluntarily destroyed by the Gran Duca so that outlaws would not take refuge here.

Montalcino Tuscany

Montalcino, 37km south of Siena es a classic Tuscan hill town set within a full circuit of walls and watched over by a castle of almost fairytale perfection. A quite, immediately likable place affluent in an unshowy way. It is scarcely changed in apparence since the sixteenth century. It looks wonderful from below, its walls barely sullied by any modern building, and once up in the town the rolling hills, vineyards, orchards, olive groves and ancient oaks look equally lovely in turn, that's Tuscany. Montalcino make an excellent base for much southern Tuscany, lying within easy striking distance of the abbeys of Monte Oliveto and Sant' Antimo.

Accommodation is severely limited and it's wise to book ahead at almost any time of year. There is only handful hotels, though if you have transport you could try same place in the countryside nearby. Sampling Montalcino Tuscany' s wine is easily done. Apart from the "enoteca" in the Rocca and the "Fiaschetteria Italiana" which has a superb cantina at the back there are half a dozen cheaper cafe-bars with god stocks, for example "Bar Mariuccia"with breathtaking views from the terrace.

Montalcino like most of the towns in Tuscany is remarkably blessed with good restaurants and you will be hard pushed to have a bad mealin any of them, If you want a slice of Pizza to take away head for Petto Pizza a tiny place on Piazza Garibaldi.

During the summer in the Fortezza take place, Montalcino Jazz and Wine and the funny Festa Dell Unita a ten day festival, organized by the former communist party in the pine wood above the town. Live music most nights, cheap food and wine and usually a lot of fun.

A TUSCANY WEDDING

Beautiful, entrancing Tuscany! Poets and princes, artists and authors have rhapsodized about its charms. From the grandeur of its cities to the serenity of its country-side, Tuscany invites and enchants all to partake of its wonders. It is no wonder that visitors come from 'round the world, and that, today, it is a well-known and perfect destination for a dream-like romantic wedding.




The possibilities of where and how to be married in Tuscany are endless. The rumors of tortuous bureaucracy are over-blown and incorrect - if you have consultants who know how to work the system. There was a time when having a legal wedding anywhere but a town hall was impossible. Today, one can marry in a medieval castle, a garden of an historic villa, an hotel - practically anywhere, with an English speaking Protestant minister officiating. The minister will conduct either a civil or religious ceremony. This allows couples to write their own vows and alleviates the need for a translator, as well as providing an intimate and private setting for their Wedding in Tuscany

Catholic couples can choose from grand cathedrals to country churches in small villages. English speaking priests are available or interpreters can be provided. The rules for Catholic marriages are the same world-over and require documentation from the home church. This ceremony is totally legal and requires no additional civil wedding. A good wedding planner can walk one through the procedures.

Jewish couples can choose to be married in on of the exquisite, historic synagogues in Tuscany, notably in Siena and Florence. These synagogues are Orthodox and the rabbis require authorization from an Orthodox rabbi at home. Sometimes an Orthodox rabbi is willing to conduct the ceremony in a villa, hotel or other outside venue, so that a gorgeous Tuscan chuppah can be set up overlooking olives trees and vineyards in the rolling hills of Tuscany. In recent years, many couples of Reform or Conservative background have chosen Tuscany as their wedding destination. A Reform rabbi can perform the ceremony in any private location, without paperwork from home.



Little Tuscan town halls in extraordinarily charming towns such as Lucca, Siena and San Gimignano have been discovered and provide very romantic settings for ceremonies.

If one is searching for something very different, hot-air balloon weddings can be arranged. Pre-wedding festivities, such as wine-tasting parties, historic tours, and rehearsal dinners in local restaurants are added features for a "destination wedding".
Within the last year, some noble Florentine families have opened their homes for wedding ceremonies. This is an incredible opportunity to be married in their fabulous palaces or gardens with spectacular views of the city and surrounding countryside.



For town hall weddings and simple symbolic ceremonies, there are many agencies which can assist couples. Not all wedding consultants are licensed and recognized by the Italian state. It is, of course, paramount that only licensed agencies be used, so no unfortunate surprises occur. Only Weddings in Italy
by Regency is able to arrange the ceremonies with legal validity in private locations, such as those described above (palaces, villas, gardens, etc...). This wedding planning service has the exclusive ability for these ceremonies and arrange Catholic and Jewish weddings with legal validity.

Some agencies require paperwork done in the States but weddings in private locations can be organized by Regency doing all of the legal paperwork for U.S. citizens in Italy. That is an important advantage because you will save a lot of time and money. Regency is proud that many other agencies and luxury hotels come to them for assistance with the legal documentation. Having all such work done in Italy, preparation time and costs are much reduced.