The Casentino Valley is a green oasis between Florence and Arezzo, closed in on the northern side by the Apennines Mountains and crossed by the Arno River.

It's a land that lived the century old disputes among rival communes, the most famous one being Campaldino, narrated by Dante Alighieri in the Divine Commedia.

It's a legendary land rich with castles and medieval villages. Among them is Poppi, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy whose character preserves the fascination of hidden Italy.

Nearby are found the National Casentino Forest and the first wholly European Animal Reserve of Sasso Fratino, places of silence and peace where Saint Francis of Assisi lived a deeply spiritual life with nature on the Mount of La Verna and Saint Romuald in the Camaldoli Hermitage.

The National Casentino Forest encompasses very well conserved forests of remarkable naturalistic interest, making it an ideal center for walks and trekking. The Reserve is home to wild animals like wolves, red deer, wild boars and eagles.

For photos of Casentino's natural beauty please visit this amazing site: www.andreabarghi.com

It's a land that still preserves old wine and gastronomic traditions such as the Casentino Ham, the Raveggiolo and Pecorino Cheese, the typical Casentino cloth manufacturing, wood working, carved stone and wrought ironwork.

Nearby are located the Frescobaldi's vineyard Chianti Rufina ( www.frescobaldi.it ) that give grapes for the well know wines Montesodi Riserva, Mormoreto and Pomino. Estates visits and wine tastings are possible to arrange.

The 9 hole Golf Club Casentino in Poppi was founded by Carlo Ricci, president of Ricci srl, ( www.golfclubcasentino.it ). Next year it will be transformed into 18 holes.

In Arezzo is located the newly built international equestrian centre Arezzo Equestrian Centre which included all the latest technologies in the building of this marvellous facility. www.arezzoequestriancentre.com

Facilities located within a one minute walk from Borgo La Fornace are:

Restaurant, Mini-market, Bar, Hotel, Post Office, Train Station, Bus Station, and beautiful landscapes.

EVENTS:

Frescobaldi grape harvest Chianti Rufina: September.
Antiques Fair of Arezzo: first weekend of the month.
Giostra del Saracino in Arezzo: July and September.
Music in parish churches and castles: July and August.
International organ festival of Chiusi della Verna: July and August.
Biennal wrought iron fair in Stia: first week of September.
Biennal of wooden shapes in Pratovecchio: August.
Carved stone exhibition in Strada in Casentino: end of August.
Flea market in Stia: June to September.
Il gusto dei guidi in Poppi: wine and gastronomic local product exhibition, last week of August.
Black truffle fair in Chiusi de la Verna: August.
Porcino mushroom fair in Poppi: August.
Estate Badiana in Poppi: various events from June to September.
Beer fair in Pratovecchio: last week of September.
Coppa della Consuma, epoch car race: May
Rally of Casentino, national car race: July.

SPORTS:

Trekking
Golf Club Casentino
Tennis Club
Swimming pools
Game of bocce
Cycling
Horse riding
Hunting
Fishing
Arc shooting
Thermal resorts
Soccer
Gym Club

For tourist info tel:+39 0575/502230