Author: Italia Delight

Here is the complete travel guide to discover Montepulciano, the historic Medieval and Renaissance town in the province of Siena, between the Val di Chiana and Val D'Orcia, a UNESCO heritage site.   A beloved village perched on a hill, surrounded by beautiful landscapes, vineyards and olive groves, Montepulciano is a magnet for everyone and receives visits from all over the world, all year round. Every excuse is good to come here, but also to return. Those who come here are inspired by the old town centre with its historical monuments, noble palaces and ancient churches. Also by the chance to restore body and mind in the spas and thermal springs scattered throughout the area, but also and above all by the well-known food and wine specialities, including the famous wines, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, Rosso di Montepulciano DOC and Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC, accompanied by Tuscan dishes.   Table of Contents Visit Montepulciano in a day 10 things to see in Montepulciano What to see around Montepulciano What to do and eat? Top events How to get to Montepulciano     Before starting our tour, however, we want to tell you a few curiosities. You will come across the word 'poliziano' in reference to the village and its inhabitants, so we want to tell you where this name originates from. Well, the first document in which there is evidence of the village, named Mons Politianus, dates back to 715 AD. Among the many hypotheses, one of the most accredited dates the foundation of Montepulciano to King Porsenna the Great Lucumone (supreme chief) of Chiusi, in 500 B.C. And Porsenna's name in Etruscan, Lars Porsina, in the Middle Ages became Mons Politianus and in the Renaissance, Poliziano. Also the name cemented thanks to the famous Renaissance poet Angelo (Agnolo)

In this guide, you will find a complete itinerary to visit Arezzo in one day, or to stay even longer if you want to discover its hidden corners and explore its surroundings.   Arezzo stands on a hill 290 metres above sea level in the easternmost part of Tuscany, in the middle of four valleys of Val di Chiana, Valdarno, Valtiberina and Casentino, in an ideal location as a base for visiting nearby villages, spas and excellent food. The town attracts many visitors for its artistic wealth, especially in autumn, spring and early summer, when the weather is most inviting, to wander around the historic alleys and squares. From November until January runs the busiest period for Arezzo, which becomes the "City of Christmas" with events, markets, street food and shows held in the old town centre. Maybe you don’t know but in Arezzo there is also Santa’s house, with a giant Santa Claus! Actually, there are many things to see in Arezzo during the whole year and also many curiosities to know about this city.     Table of contents What to see in Arezzo in a day? The best 10 things to see in Arezzo What to see in the surroundings What to do in Arezzo Events not to be missed How to get there     Arezzo is a city of art with a very ancient history, which seems to date back to prehistoric times, to the Villanovan populations, then absorbed by the Etruscan. Many findings in the area testify to its origins. In 1553, for example, during some consolidation work on the defensive perimeter walls of Arezzo, a bronze statue dating back to the 4th century BC was found almost six metres underground: the Chimera of Arezzo, recognised as the symbol of Etruscan sculpture art. Another

Discover Bagno Vignoni, a small hamlet of San Quirico d'Orcia near Siena. The charming thermal village is among the most photographed locations in Tuscany.   Bagno Vignoni is a small town in the Val d'Orcia Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, accessible from the historic Via Cassia, but also one of the stops along the ancient Via Francigena route that joined Canterbury to Rome in the Middle Ages. This small ancient village has very few inhabitants and can be toured in a couple of hours, but it is one of the most photographed in Italy by tourists from all over the world, attracted by its peculiarities. One of these is the scenic Piazza delle Sorgenti occupied by the pool of thermal water gushing from a natural spring, 49 metres long and 29 metres wide, surrounded by stone houses and dominated by the 11th century Vignoni Castle. The square dates back to the Renaissance period and was built on the thermal spring once used by the Romans. They already knew of its curative and relaxing properties and, even before the Etruscans.   Table of Contents What to see in Bagno Vignoni Visiting Bagno Vignoni & surroundings What to do in Bagno Vignoni? Events not to be missed How to get there     Bagno Vignoni has always attracted visitors for its thermal springs. Famous people have passed through here, such as Pope Pius II (Enea Silvio Piccolomini), Saint Catherine of Siena, Lorenzo de' Medici, known as the Magnificent, and Michel de Montaigne, to name but a few. And still today Bagno Vignoni is one of the most popular destinations in Tuscany, where one can spend short weekends and longer stays. There are more than one chance of satisfaction here, including the relaxation of the thermal baths, excellent food, the surrounding nature