A journey among medieval small towns, austere castles and wonderful romanic small churches (“pievi”)
Day 1
Meeting at your hotel and departure toward Bibbiena, visit of its historical center surrounded by walls, that dominates the valley below.
Lunch on your own.
In the afternoon, leaving again for a visit of the evocative relics co the Castello (Castle) of Romena, near Pratovecchio, and only a few hundred yards from the Pieve of Santo Pietro in Romena: a large meadow on the top of a hill, surrounded by old cypresses, low walls and tall medieval towers. One sees the whole Casentino from here.
Dinner in a typical tavern and then checking into a B&B (breakfast included)
Day 2
Meeting and departure to Poppi, visit of the small Tuscan town and of its beautiful church. Then guided visit to Poppi’s Castle, the very symbol of Casentino.
Lunch on your own.
In the afternoon, visit to Castle San Niccolò, set high on a spur of rock and dominating the village of Strada in Casentino. A very small medieval village is very close to the castle’s walls, as if finding protection in it. It is one of the most evocative castles in Casentino, and it was home to the Counts Guidi until 1349
Day 3
Meeting and departure to the Eremo (Hermitage) and the Monastery of Camaldoli, one of the most important and most lively (to the present day) manifestations of Italian monasticism. It was founded by Saint Romualdo, who began the construction of the first cells back in the year 1012
Lunch on your own, then free time for walking in the beautiful Casentino forests.
Dinner in a typical tavern and then back to the B&B.
Day 4
Meeting and departure to the Santuario della Verna, one of the holiest places in all Christianity. It is literally hanging from a rocky spur, and is the place where, in September 1224, Saint Francis is said to have received from Jesus Christ the “last seal”, the “stigmata”
Lunch on your own and then in the afternoon return according to your preferences.