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Suggested Day Trips From San Martino
ASSISI – 40 minutes by car, is well known, thanks to St. Francis, Italy’s premier saint and founder of the Franciscan order, and the amazing Basilica of St. Francis, one of the greatest monuments to 13th and 14th century Italian art. Assisi is one of Italy’s top attractions so early morning visits are recommended.
GUBBIO – 30 minutes by car, the so called “City of Silence”, undiscovered for centuries, is a beautifully preserved medieval city, with funicular railway for panoramic views.
ORVIETO – 60 minutes by car, a rewarding trip. The Duomo is one of the greatest Gothic buildings in Italy. Also renowned for its white wine. TODI – can be included in the excursion.
CORTONA – 40 minutes by car, wonderful Etruscan hill top town with glorious views across the Chiana valley renowned for producing the much-prized" bistecca alla fiorentina". The town of CASTIGLION FIORENTINO merits a stop along the way, as also does LAGO TRASIMENO.
SANSEPOLCRO – 35 minutes by car, the birth place of Piero della Francesca (1410). Museo Civico houses perhaps Pieros greatest paintings, including the spectal Resurrection. Good variety of shops and restaurants. Market day Tuesday.
AREZZO – 45 minutes by car, beautiful medieval town centre used in the film La Vita e Bella (Life is Beautiful). Two interesting churches, one with Piero della Francesca's painting. The first Sunday of each month a flea market is held here that draws buyers and sellers from all over the area. Lots of junk, some real antiques. Nothing cheap but fascinating to see.
CITERNA – 25 minutes by car, a small beautifully preserved hill town, with stunning vistas.
ANGHIARI – 35 minutes by car, a medieval hill town, with an excellent shoe factory on the out-skirts. The home of Busatti, a linen manufacturer, who still uses traditional methods.
MONTERCHI – 30 minutes by car, is famous as the home of the Madonna del Parto, the only representation of the pregnant Madonna in Renaissance art. The picture is an object of pilgrimage; the museum is cleared when local pregnant women come to pray to the Madonna.
SIENNA – 2 hours away by car, is world famous as the location of the Palio held in July and August. Sienna’s great attraction is its cityscape, a majestic Gothic ensemble that can be enjoyed with out entering a single museum. The great scallop shaped piazza il Campo is the loveliest of all Italian squares, where the Palio takes place.
MONTALCINO – centre of production of Barola wines, Brunello di Montalcino, reckoned by many to be the finest in Italy. A 13th century fortress, it was the last of the Sienese commune to hold out against the Medici’s. This trip can be combined with stops at PIENZA (a stage setting for Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet and The English Patient). MONTEPULCIANO, another medieval town noted for its wines and offering many opportunities for tasting.
SAN MARINO – 2 hours by car, the world’s smallest existing republic. A small state entirely surrounded by Italy. It has its own mint, own postage stamps and an army of a 1,000 men.
FANO – 1 hour 30 mins. Sea side town of the Adriatic. Splendid beaches attracting thousand of package tourists. Sandy and sheltered Lido and long pebbly stretches of beach.
URBINO – 1 hour 30 minutes by car, wonderful ducal city. Centre of power in the middle ages. Raphael was born here and worked for a time. Piero della Francesca painted here under the patronage of the Duke of Montefeltro. Visit the ducal palace and all the works of art.
LA VERNA – 1 hour 30 minutes by car, monastery where St. Francis is said to have received the stigmata. Set in a beautiful location the church has some of the best examples of Andrea della Robbia’s glazed terracotta artworks; a stunning Annunciation in the main church as well as an altar piece of the Assumption in the Cappella di Santa Maria degli Angeli. CAPRESE MICHELANGELO can also be included in the excursion.
FIRENZE (FLORENCE) 2 hours 15 minutes by car, celebrated as the most beautiful city in Italy since early in the 19th century.
ROMA (ROME) 2 hours 30 minutes by car. Rome has perhaps the most compelling fascination. There is more to see here than any other city in the world.
Valdichiana Outlet Village Valley Life White Water Rafting and Water Falls
Horse Riding Wine Tasting Shoe Factory Country Spa and Golf Course
Busatti Lace and Linen
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