Within the villa’s grounds are a 2 swimming pools and an all-weather tennis court. They also have mountain bikes available for guests’ use.
The villa is only 10 minutes from the junction of the A1 motorway and the superstrada 75bis, making it very easy to visit any of the
following on a day trip:
Cortona and Castiglion Fiorentino (½ day circuit), the former a wonderfully-preserved, art-rich medieval town, the latter a smaller, fortified village based around an elegant piazza, both of them spilling down mountainsides overlooking the Val di Chiana. You can take in some Etruscan tombs on the way back
Siena, (1 hour away) Italy’s best-preserved medieval city, has a black-and-white marble duomo, a buzzing Piazza del Campo, palaces with frescoed halls, a historic mappamondo and a panoramic tower
Florence & Rome. Florence - Tuscany’s bustling capital, has a huge duomo and baptistery, the world-famous Uffizi and other galleries, the jewel-laden Ponte Vecchio, some irresistible clothes shops, statue-laden piazzas, a bustling mercato centrale, ice cream stalls with a hundred flavours, the Pitti museums … and more besides! Rome - the eternal city, home to The Coliseum, The Pantheon, Trevi Fountain & The Vatican. If you don't fancy driving into the centre of these cities then take a direct train from Arezzo (30mins by car from Fontelunga). Here are some typical train times:
Rome: Going out: 09:17 AREZZO 11:13 ROMA Returning: 20:30 ROMA 21:55 AREZZO
Florence: Going out: 09:06 AREZZO 09:45 FLORENCE Returning: 20:33 FLORENCE 21:24 AREZZO Approx. Train Times
Perugia and Assisi, the former a bustling city with stylish shops and jazz concerts (and it’s home of those irresistible little Bacci chocolates), the latter a more spiritual experience with St. Francis’ massive basilica, St Clare’s beautiful church of striped marble, and peaceful hermitages in the countryside around
Lake Trasimeno across the border in Umbria (20km away), a large, shallow, reed-lined lake with Renaissance churches and medieval castles, boat-trips to Maggiore and Polvese islands, waymarked trails around the lake, sailing / windsurfing centres at Passignano and Castiglione, bird-watching at the wetlands of Oasi le Valle near San Savino (waders etc), and swimming (it’s rather murky, though)
Montepulciano and Pienza, classic medieval hilltowns crammed with art and architecture, the former boasting famous red wines, the latter the birthplace and creation of Pope Pius II. On the way back you can visit the Abbazia di Farneta near Foiano, where the local priest has single-handedly stripped off the 18th-century facades to reveal ex-Roman stones beneath
Talking of wines, there are countless vineyards where you can tour the cellars, learn about wine-making, taste the results - and buy some; Paolo recommends La Rendola near Montevarchi (by appointment only), which grows excellent Sangiovese, Merlot and Chardonnay and is “one to watch”
Orvieto (1hr down the motorway) is an underrated hilltown of volcanic tufa with churches, shops and the distinct feeling of having crossed into neighbouring Lazio
If you need retail therapy, factory outlets for Armani, Gucci and Prada are all within 1 hour. "The Mall" is Italys most exclusive outlet and is less than one hour away via the A1 (Exit Incisa, Marker 320). Val di Chiana Outlet is also only 10 minutes from Fontelunga
Over in Umbria, the town of Torgiano has a wine museum and outlet, while Deruta has a ceramic museum and lots of pottery for sale
Golfers will find a 6-hole course and driving range near Bettolle (15 mins), and an 18-hole course in Siena (1 hr)
There are horse-riding stables at Farneta (20 mins)
If you enjoy painting or photography, the Tuscan crete (rolling hills) offer picture-perfect views all around
Anyone for tennis? Fontelunga has a tennis court below the olive grove so please bring trainers. There may well be a guests tournament for the title of Fontelunga Champion 2007. The villa has 4 rackets and balls.
There are a number of festivals in the area in June: