Casentino Discovery

Duration

7 hours

Overview

Secluded and preserved by its morphology, Casentino has it all to amaze the traveller wishing to discover a different Tuscany: sacred forests and monasteries, beautiful medieval hamlets and dramatic landscapes. Here hills are not as gentle as in the postcards from Valdorcia, but you will fall in love with Casentino Valley precisely for its authenticity. Our discovery tour starts from the hill town of Poppi, that was once the court of local rulers Conti Guidi. Italian 13th-century writer Dante Alighieri called their castle home when he was forced to exile from Florence. After visiting Poppi we will drive on to Pratovecchio, located on the Arno river. This will be our starting point for a short 3-km hike up to Pieve di Romena, a magical church surrounded by lavender fields and olive trees. From there, we will walk on up to the ruins of Romena Castle (1.5 km) before reaching the medieval village of Stia, where you will be free to self-explore this little town and its green surroundings.