The wooded slopes of the Alpe della Luna abound with flora and fauna including eagles and other birds of prey, wild boar, porcupine and deer. The wild flowers in the meadows, even into high summer, are breathtaking. In autumn the chestnut and larch woods glow with rich yellows, ambers and reds. Hikers and walkers of all levels of fitness (and mountain bikers), can revel in this beauty on tracks and way-marked walks.

In this area, the Valtiberina, locally produced food and wine are hugely important. Chianina beef, truffles and mushrooms, olive oil, wild boar and local honey form the basis of an excellent rustic cuisine. Chianti and Montepulciano are favoured wines. A variety of well-known restaurants, in a range of price brackets, such as Il Sottobosco, L’Imperatore and Castello di Sorci, is within easy reach of Podere Arsicci.

For art lovers, Arsicci lies on the famous ‘Piero Trail’ with many of Piero della Francesca’s most famous works such as the Madonna del Parto and the Resurrection found near by, whilst the splendours of the fresco cycle of the True Cross can be found an hour away in Arezzo, the provincial capital. Across the valley is the small town of Caprese Michelangelo where the birthplace of Michelangelo has been transformed into a small museum. There are also fine examples of Della Robbia ceramics in the area.

What else does the area have to offer? Within easy reach of Podere Arsicci you can explore:

Borgo Sansepolcro – the local, fortified town with a charming renaissance square (with excellent ice cream parlour!) which hosts the annual Balestra (cross-bow competition) in early September against the rival town of Gubbio. An antique market is held in the square on Friday evenings throughout the summer and the weekly outdoor markets are held on Tuesday and Saturday mornings.
www.sanseplocro.net

Anghiari – a jewel of a renaissance walled town, clinging to its hillside. Famous for the Battle of Anghiari in 1440, the subject of Leonardo’s lost masterpiece. Its cobbled streets offer artisan shops and places to eat or just sit and take in the atmosphere. A music festival is held here every July. The precipitous Roman road runs straight as an arrow down the hillside towards Sansepolcro. .
www.anghiari.it

The Sanctuary of La Verna – the refuge of St Francis of Assisi. A wonderful place, set high on a rocky outcrop with stunning views across the hills. A place of peace and tranquillity despite the visitors. You can visit St Francis’ cave, see frescoes of his life, ceramics in the church and walk or picnic in the chestnut woods.
www.santuariodellaverna.com

San Marino – This tiny principality sits atop a sheer rock rising out of the plain and can be approached by either a hair pin road or cable car. Stupendous views sweep across the Apennines and out across the plain to the Adriatic coastal resorts such as Rimini. Lots of duty free goods on offer with leather work in abundance.
www.visitsanmarino.com

Urbino – home of the Dukes of Montefeltro and birthplace to the artist Raphael. A wonderful pink stone, medieval walled city which also has a botanic garden.
www.comune.urbino.ps.it

Siena – home of the world famous palio races in July and August, which take place on the cockle-shell shaped piazza. Siena has a wealth of renaissance art and architecture for the art lover to enjoy.
www.aboutsiena.com

Lake Trasimeno – the fourth largest lake in Italy, set in what was once an Etruscan domain. This shallow lake attracts both wild birds and tourists who enjoy water sports, and is encircled by a series of fortified castle towns, set in the rolling Umbrian hills.
www.umbriabest.com

The list of possibilities goes on and on. For example, it is possible to visit Florence, Assisi and Perugia or the Adriatic coast for the day from your base at Podere Arsicci. Rome is about a three hour drive and Venice about three and a half hours.

Other local attractions include tranquil Lake Montedoglio, Badia Tedalda with its hilltop church, Monte Fumaiolo (source of the Tiber with its striking Roman influenced monument), the waterfalls of Stiavola, the small ski resort of Le Balze and innumerable picnic areas.

Many of the above attractions can be seen on the map below. Click on each blue placemark for more details: