In Cavriglia, under the cypress shadow. Tuscany, Italy

Into the popular cypress is inextricably linked to the cemeteries and thus this tree for many has a sacred meaning and gloomy at the same time. Already in antiquity had assumed this meant, in Greek mythology is the figure that Ciparisse for having accidentally killed his deer became transformed by the god Apollo in a cypress tree with the resin on the trunk that formed drops like tears and Romans hung its branches to the house where there was a deceased person. Actually use in cemeteries may have a meaning more scientific and historical as the root of the plant to penetrate into the ground just melted down instead of expanding horizontally with the potential to create damage to the surrounding tombs.

Only in Tuscany (and partly in the Lake Garda), this tree loses its meaning for this to become a distinctive element of the landscape for the undeniable effects of ornamental cypress in the decoration of streets, hills and private villas. In other parties tried to export this ornamental use, but only in Tuscany cypress is bound inextricably with the surrounding hills made of soft and undulating with a truly unique effect.

WHEN TO GO

Tuscany is a land for all seasons, but spring has the landscape is particularly charming fruit hills cloaked by expanses of grass with different shades of green on the rolling hills give a feeling of softness and harmony.

In reality it is a privileged destination for all the periods of the bridges would be better to choose other dates to avoid coming to terms with the significant influx of tourists and the resulting code to museums and parking lots. Not everyone can make this choice and as in my case went to the turn of the bridge of May 1.

WHERE TO GO

It 'hard to recommend a particular route for the tour of Tuscany, as there is another region in Italy with so many treasures, all to see. Particular attention should be given the choice of locations to be used as a base because the journey times are related to a road not exactly optimal. In fact most of the roads Toscane (except those of the main roads: highways and expressways) are particularly tortuous, related to landscape and the asperities to be overcome to move from one valley to another and so the journey times of course affected . In reality (thinking positive) this aspect of viability can fully enjoy the surrounding landscape and to plan several stops to capture the spectacular environment that is presented to your view: the beautiful rows of cypresses, wadding hills are lost until 'horizon, the rows of vines in the Chianti area and the views in the marine and upland areas.

In my case the route was constructed on the contrary, having guided the choice of the base in the area where my friends live.

From the base (AR Cavriglia around San Giovanni Valdarno) I began to plan the route with some points: stages dedicated to children, visiting Florence (I never tired to go) to visit the San Galgano that I had could do in previous trips to Siena, my mind on the alert with the two stars in the Touring (parameter safe custody and the only still to be seen in Tuscany). In fact, given the distance traveled was not really a choice, but the nails .. nails are

WHERE TO EAT AND SLEEP (To be really good series)

Any guide you will never like advising people who live in an area that has had the opportunity to experiment over time all existing premises.
So in my case I went to hit safely, very well recommended by my friends in San Giovanni Valdarno.
To sleep, I was directed to VILLA BARBERINO Viale Barberino, 19 Meleto fraction • Cavriglia - AR Tel + 39 055.96.18.13 - Fax + 39 055.96.10.71 (www.villabarberino.it) (attention to the two fixed speed cameras located in the hamlet of Santa Barbara on the way to the house).

The structure in brick is substantial and certainly recommended, try to believe. I stayed in a well renovated apartment with kitchen bathroom, bedroom and balcony. The structure is surrounded by greenery and the morning you are awakened by the chirping of birds. Private parking and breakfast included in the cost of the room. The structure is also a restaurant with views of the beauty of the site is often used for banquets for weddings.

To eat, I was directed to two excellent restaurants truly among the best ever in the area:
• For the fish: The valley of hell Loc Acquaborra - Terranova Bracciolini (AR) +39 055 9180031 (http://www.frasca.it/la_valle_inferno/index.php). Near the river a kitchen and not really missed a case attended by all the VIPs in the area;
• For the meat: Osteria dell'Acquolina (Loc. Paterna - Terranuova Bracciolini (AR) 055 9652028 (http://www.acquolina.it/html/frameset.htm). Being an inn is cut from different local previous year, but the quality of the food is really good and the legendary Florentine is truly great (the best I have ever tried).


WHAT TO BUY

In the area there is the selling of PRADA (Pellettieri d'Italy - Levanella, Montevarchi (AR) 100 Km
Tel 055.91901) and the IVV (http://www.ivvnet.it/ivv.asp) Glass Industry Valdarnese Lungarno Guido Reni 60 San Giovanni Valdarno (AR) Phone: (+39) (0) 559 426 19 Fax : (+39) (0) 559 444 47 (definitely the second best).
But if you were to go into crisis abstinence Chianina steak (impossible in other parts of Italy) council to address the Butcher Giaccherini Franco Via Roma, 79 / A - Terranuova Bracciolini tel. 055 973340. Are prepared by vacuum-packs and travel may not be just a coincidence that both the butcher celebrities (from Ferilli crew of Luna Rossa)

 

Cavriglia park

FIRST DAY (April 28 2007): dedicated to children with a visit to the park Cavriglia (http://www.parcocavriglia.com/html/home.php?idLingua=1). The park is very beautiful, is at an altitude of 800 meters on the road that connects the Valdarno (St. John, etc..) With the zone of Chianti (Radda, Gaiole, etc..). The road to get there is really deadly (from one valley to another), but the amenities of the place, free education, the possibility (outside of summer months) to use the facilities for the barbecue, the presence of animals (mouflon, roe deer, wild boar, llamas, bears, buffaloes, donkeys, etc.) make it a milestone worth noting for those traveling with children.
We were obviously not equipped for that we have settled the rolls of the local restaurants, but the enthusiasm of the children in making the picnic a few steps away from the blade run free to the park and the birds of the lake is an experience that I report that Other parents can enjoy (in fact my neighbors that a deadly bite steak cooked over coals just enjoyed on other grounds).
The animals are partly in complete freedom, while others (bears, monkeys, bison, etc.) are closed in the cage, but perhaps with the exception of that of the bears are very large structures, scattered on the mountain that do not harm anything the idea of a zoo.
To visit all the animals need to walk a little 'of land along roads and steep trails even slightly (eg to see the donkeys and monkeys). In the middle of the park where there is a pond make a noise deadly waterfowl.
In the final 15.7 km of road (Yahoo maps), some decidedly tortuous, from the exit of San Giovanni Valdarno is a deviation that may be recommended to all.

Florence

SECOND DAY: dedicated to parents with a visit to Florence. In the past it was a must for school trips. Over time the trips were focused on foreign stages so I do not think of making a mistake by saying that many Italian kids do not know one of the most beautiful cities in the world. No city in Italy among others is more easily visited than Florence: station in the city center and pedestrian path with the main attractions are enclosed in a very limited range.
That is in Florence, it is preferable to go by train, with about 20 minutes from the station of San Giovanni Valdarno are in the center of town (Santa Maria Novella) with no parking problems and avoiding the city traffic.
Traveling with children I preferred to turn the city only deepening the visit of the monumental Basilica of Santa Croce.
With the entry ticket (5 euros) will visit the monumental complex composed of the Basilica, the Museo dell'Opera, the cloister and the Chapel of the Pazzi
The Basilica is one of the most wonderful examples of Gothic architecture in Italy and the imposing size 20 wide and 34 tall to make it very similar to the majestic cathedrals of Northern Europe. It was realized at the end of 1200 by one of the most famous architects of the time: Arnolfo di Cambio.
The basilica is famous because time has turned into a sort of Pantheon with the inside of the burial monuments of some famous people (Foscolo, Alfieri, Michelangelo, etc..) Mainly on the right aisle.
Valuable also the extraordinary stained glass windows typical of Gothic architecture and the two chapels on the right of the central respectively called Bardi and Peruzzi (from the name of the family of bankers who had commissioned). Both chapels have been painted by Giotto.
Going to the cloister you visit the adjacent chapel of lunatics of Brunelleschi and the Museo dell'Opera which features the famous Cimabue crucifix severely damaged in the 1966 floods.

The rest of the route pedestrian city is widely reported in any guide to which I will not dwell further.

As everyone will have noticed the city is very expensive, but knowing you can choose real economic solutions. In my case, I have lunch in a historic Fiaschetteria in the path between Ponte Vecchio and Basilica di Santa Croce. We have spent on a single plate (in the same flat first and second contour) 7.90 euros for a more than acceptable quality.

Certaldo, San Gimignano and Volterra

THIRD DAY: Certaldo, San Gimignano and Volterra. Three magnificent medieval stages to which we arrive by Cavriglia along the panoramic road winding through the area of Chianti. I km are not many, but the time is quite high. Wishing you can stop at the many wineries for tastings, but without exaggeration or the road could become dangerously straight.
Certaldo has a medieval old town in the area above the country and for this reason is called Certaldo Alta. The medieval village of Certaldo Alta can be reached easily with a cable car (return 1.20 euros) that starts from the main square of Certaldo Bassa.

For free parking continue past the main square and take the first left the car park is on the right.

The intact medieval village really is a lot of really fascinating glimpses from squares to streets, to craft. However the main attraction is the palace Pretorio in the top of Via Boccaccio. Visit the cloister, the prisons, the halls of hearings, etc..
On the front of the building and inside there are many coats of arms representing the effigy of the vicar of every family that had ruled and lived in the city.
San Gimignano certainly does not need any presentation of fact and not by chance that the historic center was declared World Heritage Site in 1990 by UNESCO.
In medieval San Gimignano developed because agricultural businesses were favorites of the position of the city along the Via Francigena.
The main feature are the towers (they were in 13 feet of the 72 existing in the Middle Ages.
In addition to the towers are not lacking some other attractions to the town. First the medieval charm of its well-preserved: from the beautiful Piazza della Cisterna in the Duomo at Via San Matteo.
Among the monuments certainly worth reporting on the cathedral (also called collegiate church) built in the mid-twelfth century frescoes inside. Adjacent to the cathedral you can visit the Palazzo Comunale with the art gallery which houses works by Pinturicchio and B. Gozzoli.
For fans, there is also a museum of torture which keeps the instruments used for that purpose in the Middle Ages.
Of course traveling at a bridge (in my case Monday April 30) I found a little 'difficulty in finding parking can not choose the most convenient (P2) and obviously full, but having satisfied than P1 (Jubilee) with the center Historical reached by minibus or a few hundred meters on foot.
E 'appropriate use of the parking fee because the cities are particularly vigilant and efficient even with a portable printer for which fines were imposed in a car parked on the side of the road, even if outside the roadway.

Volterra is not only jewel of Etruscan and medieval city dell'alabastro but also with the many shops and of course shops for the purchase of this product of artistic craftsmanship.

Fulcrum of the city is the magnificent medieval piazza dei Priori with the same name, building the town of Volterra. The misfortune was that he wanted to have an ongoing session of the Municipal Council which were not allowed visits to the palace.

To see the cathedral on the square that faces the San Giovanni Baptistery impressive. At that point, a torrential rain prevented the continuation of the visit of the city and especially the overhanging fortress.

Surely I will have to return to godermela in full.

San Galgano and Massa Marittima

FOURTH DAY: San Galgano and Massa Marittima.

The stage of mind.
To go to San Galgano we must follow the directions from Siena to Follonica along the valley of the Merse.
The complex of San Galgano is composed dell'Abbazia and above Montesiepi Eremo of reach by car or a short trail uphill dall'abbazia.
The choice fell on San Galgano in the knowledge that could be a step welcomed by the children for the presence of the sword in the stone. It is so, the legend of King Arthur becomes reality in Italy and precisely in this area are enclosed in a dome of glass stuck a sword in the stone.
Legend has it that a couple of nearby dissoluto Chiusdino (Galgano Guidotti) decided to change his life dedicated to meditation and adoration of God and Nature. Thus began his life as a hermit and as a symbolic gesture sticking his sword into the rock disdain for all forms of war and to adore the hilt like the cross of Christ.
In e of Montesiepi addition to the sword, are the remains of the bones of two hands that the legend had belonged to a person who had attempted to steal or break the hilt and this had been attacked by wolves friends of San Galgano .
When this part of the trip interesting for children, we moved all'entusiasmante spectacle offered dall'abbazia Cistercian Abbey of San Galgano. Further confirmation that the two stars are a reference Touring certainly reliable.
The church has a Latin cross with three naves and the lack of the roof (to be fully collapsed) Abbey really makes this unique (just see the photos attached).
In June there will be a concert for charity to Battiato and could be a unique experience.
From San Galgano, you can go on for Massa Marittima in the province of Grosseto, where you visit the Cathedral in the Pisan style diagonally and place on a basis steps raised above the square.
Walking through the narrow streets leading to the upper part of the country will reach the Clock Tower.
Just as we were close to the tower began to rain with a certain intensity and so we optrato for the visit of Mines (5 euro) recommended only if you have children or if you are really keen to life inside a mine. This is a reconstruction of the mining tunnels of about 700 meters with the original tools used by miners (you make the tour).
I unreservedly to pay to park in near the main square in front Whereas mines (about 100 meters) there is free parking (if the first had known I would have saved 4 euros).