The local area offers much of interest for everyone. The hustle and bustle of a market, where local traders sell everything from fresh vegetables, plants and livestock, to bags, shoes and clothes, this can be experienced locally. Poggibonsi has its market day on Tuesday, Siena, which has the largest market, has its on Wednesday and the market in nearby Colle Val d’Elsa is on Friday.

A trip to the coast will take about an hour, and is a good way to see even more of the beautiful Tuscan landscape. Once there, you can enjoy a day relaxing on the golden sands, take a dip into the cool lapping sea and then enjoy a fresh seafood meal, washed down with some of the delicious and refreshing Tuscan white wines.

Horse-riding and bicycle hire
If you enjoy outdoor activities such as horse-riding or cycling, you could be in no better location than in the heart of Tuscany, where you can experience and enjoy the rustic countryside. If this is your passion, more details can be given on request during your stay.

Tennis and golf
If you are the sporty sort then a round of golf or a game of tennis could be just the thing for you. Tennis courts and a golf course are located in nearby Colle Val d’Elsa, and directions can be given on request.

There are many cities, towns and villages of great interest for their architecture, art and ambience in the region, that can easily be visited as a day trip.

Monteriggioni map
3.5km
A typical medieval burg built in the 13th century, it clings to a small hillside and is completely surrounded by turreted walls. These walls, with their 14 square turrets, were mentioned by Dante in his Inferno. The Sienese constructed the town at the beginning of the 13th century, as a garrison to protect the approaches to Siena during the period in which the Florentines were waging war against them. The rural parish church of Santa Maria, a Romanesque Gothic structure, abuts on the main street that divides the town in half lengthways, connecting the two gates. One gate is on the Florence side, the other opening being cut into the lower part of one of the towers, on the Siena side. Monteriggioni has three bars and two restaurants, two gift shops, one jewellery shop, two wine shops, one furniture shop and one hotel. About 3km from Monteriggioni is Abbadia Isola, a hamlet that grew up around the 11th century Cistercian abbey of San Salvatore. It was named Isola (Island), because it used to be surrounded by marshes. The remains of the monastery are situated around a courtyard, together with the abbey church – a Lombard type structure built between the 11th and 13th centuries. Abbadia Isola has one pub/restaurant, one restaurant, two bars and petrol by attendant service.

Colle Val d’Elsa map
5km
A town of considerable historical, artistic and industrial interest, situated on the left bank of the Elsa, divided into two parts. The lower part, or Colle Basso, in the valley, where all the factories and modern housing developments are, and the upper part, or Colle Alto, set at the top of the hill, with its typical medieval structure. The first activities to prosper in Colle were the paper-mills, thanks to the energy supplied by the waters of the Elsa. Another industry that flourished in the town was cut crystal glassware, which is still the main industry of the town today. Colle is still nicknamed the “Bohemia of Italy”. The centre of Colle Basso is the square named after the most famous son of the town Arnolfo di Cambio, the famous sculptor and architect. Walls surround the nucleus of the high town with fine buildings, such as the 16th century Palazzo Campana, designed by Giuliano di Baccio d’Agnolo in 1539. Today there are many bars, restaurants, shops, pharmacies, and a large supermarket (COOP) and petrol station.

San Gimignano map
25km
One of the most unique Tuscan towns, thanks to its severely medieval aspect, San Gimignano bristles with tall towers and is still protected by its perfectly intact fortifications. The most typical product of its carefully tended slopes is an excellent white wine, known as Vernaccia. From spacious Piazza Martiri di Monte Maggio one enters the walled town via Porta San Giovanni. This gate is cut into the 13th century walls and climbs up Via San Giovanni flanked by ancient mansions, towards the centre of he town. Passing beneath the Arco dei becci one emerges into the wide, angular Piazza della Cistern. Continuing onwards one comes to the Cathedral square, the Palazzo del Podestà. There is also Palazzo del Popolo with the Civic Museums and many bars, restaurants and gift shops.

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