Leisure Activity
The valley offers all year round events of interest. Far from the tourist traffic of the great city of art you can peacefully move to the small but charming villages of Anghiari, Sansepolcro, Citerna or go to Assisi and Gubbio walking along the path of St. Francis, or leisurely visit the nearby art markets of Arezzo and Cortona.
For those who want to live the countryside, the natural nature reserves, just a few steps from the villa, allow you to see and meet various species of birds and ungulates. Horse riding is also a favorite past time in this valley and fly fishing and golf. There is Everything for everyone!
ESCURSIONS ON MOUNTAIN BIKE
The excursions are organized with or without guides, the trails are well marked and well maintained as well as being frequented daily by cyclists, who are very numerous in this valley.
Professional bikes may be rented or visitors may prefer to bring with them their own, in this case the villas have space for storage and eventual maintenance, if required.
Our service also provides transfers from the villas with mini bus or pick up to the places chosen for the excursions.
LAKE MONTEDOGLIO
The lake “Montedoglio” is a natural basin and one of the largest in Europe and has become a notable landscape, a dominant element of the Tiber Valley. A land rich in nature and history on the border between Romagna, Umbria and Marche. Along the lake side there are dirt and asphalt tracks. The trails along the right bank of the river Tevere (river Tiber), and in certain times of the year you may cross the "Golene" the dry areas of the bed of the river Tiber. The flood plain of the Tiber River, controlled by the “Montedoglio” DAM , presents various types of habitats characterized by riparian vegetation formations, and valuable wetland areas derived from alluvial disused quarries. The banks and the riverbed are characterized by lush riparian vegetation and prevalence of poplar trees and thickets of river bed vegetation, with a prevalence of willows. The bands of trees and shrubs to be seen include alder, oak and dogwood. The abundance of waterways of the Tiber, is governed by the Montedoglio Dam which constantly controls the water flow throughout the year, ensuring that the habitat is maintained moist in order to preserve the natural balance of the river and the wildlife. The presence of numerous lakes originated from mining and the proximity of the reservoir create favorable conditions for the rest of the avifauna (birdlife). This natural reserve, typical of wetlands and river environments, is the home of Bittern, Kingfisher, Cormorant, the Egret, the Mallard and also flamingos live here, as well as migratory birds that cross the valley in October.
DETAILS of the bike ride: reasonably easy, full of emotions, is cool and sheltered, The duration of the ride can be programmed by the participants and can be three to five hours.
During the excursion, in various places, there are tables and benches to stop and relax and enjoy the view.
ON THE ROAD TO THE MOUNTAINS ALONG THE PATH OF THE PARTISANS
Main points: The “Tosco Romagnolo Apennines” offers tourists splendid views along roads which during the second war were followed by the partisans, by the armies of General Clarke, of General Wladyslaw Anders and by the Germans of the 114th Jaeger Division.
The trails in the '40s were used by smugglers to take tobacco into the nearby Romagna.
Along the way you can see the remains of the Gothic outposts, whose fortifications were built between Valsavignone and Verghereto, by the “TODT” organization, responsible for a huge range of engineering projects both in pre-World War II Germany, in Germany itself and occupied territories during the war and are still visible today. The journey has hills and downs, with some deviations, which provide access to the highest and most scenic summit, where you will find anti-aircraft emplacements and observation points. The paths also take you through mountain villages, some of them abandoned for decades, allowing you to rediscover the traditional Apennine roads that connected even the most remote communities…the Path can take you up to 1040 meters.
Details of the ride: MEDIUM challenge, 40-45 km in length taking from 3 to 5 hours on a hilly route on asphalt and gravel roads.
SULLA STRADA DELL'INTREPIDA (ON THE STREETS OF NO FEAR)
Main points: The ride follows the trail of the 'Fearless’ a traditional cycling day organized every October in Anghiari. Passing through small villages and minor roads will seem like stepping back in time! This very special event is a faithful and charming recreation of the route of the “Intrepida”.
Details of the ride: EASY - about 45 km on a hilly track of asphalt and gravel roads there is the possibility of enjoying longer routes if desired.
NATURAL PATH ALONG THE APENNINE SPINE TO SEE THE ANIMALS OF THE NATURE RESERVE “Germagnano”
Highlights: along the way you will meet fallow deer, roe deer, families of wild boar and pass cow pastures. From the lookout points prepared by the State Forestry Commission the eye sweeps over the entire valley.
Special event: gravel and dust paths that pass through the middle of beech and chestnut trees
Bicycle ride: Easy challenge - about 40 km of the trail is rolling hills and just a little tiring.
Other trails can be enjoyed with the help of our guide Luke, who knows well all the locations and so is able to choose and point out clearly all the points of interest in the landscape to the participants.
We look forward to welcoming you in our very special valley!
Just some other Unique Places to visi...
Castello di Montauto, il Castello di Galbino, la Villa de La Barbolana, la Pieve di Sovara, la Chiesa di Corsano di San Leo, il Castello di Pianettole e il Castello di Sorci.
Pieve Santo Stefano, known as the city of the diary, which has a collection internationally famous diaries, manuscripts and memorabilia of common people , where they reflect in various forms on the life and history of Italy, collected from all over the world.
Citta di Castello, birthplace 1915 of the famous artist Alberto Burri. His first paintings were views of the desert he could see from the prisoner of war camp in Tunisia where he was interned and "nostalgic Umbrian landscapes and figures" of his birthplace . After his release in 1946, Burri moved to Rome to pursue a full-time career as painter. His incorporation of unusual materials like plastic cements, resin, zinc oxide, pumice and kaolin, tar and PVC adhesives in his paintings reflected his affinity for science. In the mid-1950s, Burri introduced charred wood into his burlap works, followed by scrap iron sheets fixed onto the wood, as well as colored and transparent sheets of plastic. In the 1970s he began his "cracked" paintings, or cretti. Burri was awarded the Italian Order of Merit in 1994. He died, aged 79, in Nice, France. His birthplace of Città di Castello has memorialized him with a large permanent museum of his works.