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Chiantishire
- in and around Montevarchi
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Visit
Tuscany - from forests to fossils and castles to
Chianti.
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 Welcome
to Tuscany, one of Italy's best-loved regions
and home of Chiantishire.If you're travelling
north from Rieti towards Montevarchi, and you're
in no hurry, then it's worth taking a short detour
to Monte Luco, where you can feast both your eyes
and lungs on its dark-green spruce forest
 There's
lots to do and see in the area but if you're pushed
for time don't miss Brolio
Castle. The Castle is between the towns
of Castelnuovo Berardenga and Gaiole in Chianti,
along the state road S484, also known as Strada
dei Castelli in Chianti (The Chianti
Castle Route). And, given that we're in the Chianti
area, why not try out a glass (or two) of local
wine? The Tenuta Ricasoli winery is
close to the castle and you can taste an excellent
Chianti or even stock up on a few bottles to bring
back home (phone +39-0577-7301).
 Montevarchi
is a charming mediaeval town with an interesting
museum. The Palaeontology
Museum, in the old Convent of San
Ludovico (itself a beautiful building from the
1400s complete with cloister) houses a fine collection
of fossils from the Pliocene period.
Farmhouse accommodation is popular in Tuscany and
if you enjoy riding then the Azienda
Agricola Rendola Riding is just the place
for you: as well as offering food and accommodation
you can also go pony trekking or, if you're
new to the saddle, book in for a course of lessons.
If you've still got energy to burn Arezzo, birthplace
of the poet Petrarch, is just 40 kilometres down
the road. Catch the frescoes by Piero della Francesca
in San Francesco's Church. Then promise to come
back for the Giostra del Saracino (Saracen's Jousting
Tournament), a colourful festival held on the last
Sunday in August and the first one of September.
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| by
ELENA
GUARNERI |
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May
2001
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THE SURVIVOR'S 
