Valdelsa
Val d'Elsa is located in the heart of Tuscany, in a strategic position near the cities of Siena, Florence and Volterra.
Val d'Elsa is located in the heart of Tuscany, in a strategic position near the cities of Siena, Florence and Volterra
The strategic importance of the Val d'Elsa lies in its paths and roads. It is both the passageway to the sea and a sacred path, an artery that brings “the Tuscan touch” from Florence to Siena. Its development was due to the Via Francigena and its propensity towards a sustainable economy is thanks to its wine and olive oil production, as well as crystal, mechanics, paper, electronics, ceramic and furniture production.
While the valley's reserved nature has saved it from mass tourism, it is a wonderful place to truly encounter Tuscany. It has all of the Tuscan characteristics including art, good food, great wine and its picturesque landscape. Machiavelli lived near here. Three towns that best describe the area's distinctiveness San Gimignano, Monteriggioni and Colle. The Val d'Elsa is a living history book whose pages you can flip by talking with its people, enjoying its flavors, tastes and gorgeous landscapes. There are two place—Casole and Radicondoli—where this space-time contact is most perceptible, perhaps because they are less architecturally imposing:.
To understand this area, one needs an archeologist's spade, the lens of an anthropologist, a historian's notebook, the art historian's camera, the tastebuds of a gormet chef, the statistics of a sociologist, a psychologist's introspection and the economist's calculator.
The six gems
Hardly, in another part of Italy, history is present as in Val d'Elsa: not only for the architecture that resists intact in at least three conspicuous places: San Gimignano, Monteriggioni and Colle. In Val d'Elsa history is a living book, where flipping its pages is to chat with people, to smell its perfumes, is to enchante with its landscapes.
There are two places where this space-time backwards contact is more noticeable because they are perhaps less striking architecture: Casole and Radicondoli which still preserve the natural rhythm of the countryside. They have walls and "chiassi", Roman villas and rural houses, they have an inner metronome that is the rhythm of tradition.
Then remains Poggibonsi where the history plays "hide and seek" because this is, among the Valdense city, the one that probably has the most ancient and complex story.
It would take the spade of the archaeologist, the lens of the anthropologist, the historian's notebook, the camera of the art historian, and again the taste of the gourmet, the statistics of the sociologist, the insights of psychology and tables of the economist to fully understand the numerous souls. However, we suggest a tool above all: the human willingness to be permeated.
Walled lands
The Val d'Elsa is also a zone of "walled lands"; near Poggibonsi is visible the Cassero, an imposing fortress built in the fourteenth century, which is the only architectural element of the city of medieval origin.
Monteriggioni is also a fascinating example of walls still standing a crown; built between 1212 and 1219, it represents an attempt to place control of the Sienese fortress Francigena to counter the continued expansion of Florence.
Monteriggioni is also the crown that encircled the head of Italy of the outdated 100 Lire coin.
Valdelsa: discover the area
Accommodations in the area
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- Colle Val D'Elsa (Siena)
La Pieve
La Pieve, charming farmhouse located on the hills of Val d'Elsa, between Volterra and San Gimignano, along the Via Francigena, in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, with its luxuriant nature and rich history.
Availability request
Framed by olive trees and a wood, it fosters a direct dialogue with nature in complete relaxation where they contemplate and enjoy the stillness in private and unique spaces. -
- San Gimignano (Siena)
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8 km from Valdelsa
Agriturismo Villa il Palagetto
Agriturismo Villa il Palagetto located in the vicinity of the medieval centre of San Gimignano, nestled in the rolling hills of the gorgeous Tuscan countryside.
Availability request
Provides comfortable accommodation in 6 double bedrooms and two Suites -
- San Gimignano (Siena)
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8 km from Valdelsa
Agriturismo la Lucciolaia
In the vicinity of the medieval centre of San Gimignano, nestled in the rolling hills of the gorgeous Tuscan countryside, Agriturismo La Lucciolaia is perfectly located for exploring Tuscany's most prized art towns.
Availability request
This ancient farmhouse has been recently renovated and divided into eleven double rooms and two Suites, where the magic atmosphere of past times is perfectly blended with modern comforts. -
- San Gimignano (Siena)
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8 km from Valdelsa
B&B la Fornace di Racciano
La Fornace di Racciano is a lovely Bed&Breakfast a short distance from the historical centre of medieval San Gimignano. It consists of a typical Tuscan country house surrounded by a large flowery garden.
Availability request
La Fornace di Racciano consists of seven comfortable rooms and four apartments, two of which are located in the ancient hamlet of Racciano. -
- San Gimignano (Siena)
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13 km from Valdelsa
Agriturismo Cesani
Azienda Agricola Biologica Cesani is an organic farm nestled in the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside, in the tiny country hamlet of Pancole, 6 km to the medieval town of San Gimignano.
Availability request
Azienda Agricola Biologica Cesani is an organic farm nestled in the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside, in the tiny country hamlet of Pancole, 6 km to the medieval town of San Gimignano. -
- Siena (Siena)
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18 km from Valdelsa
Agriturismo Marciano
Agriturimo Marciano : an exlusive opportunity, two holidays at the place of only one. stay in the country and life downtown. Marciano is located near the walls of the Middle Age town of Siena.
Availability request
Five confortable double rooms and a suite with a beautiful sight on the Siena Duomo -
- Greve in Chianti (Florence)
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28 km from Valdelsa
Villa Chianti 7 beds
Villa Chianti is a private villa for rent in Chianti area with pool and garden that can accommodate up to 7 people.
Availability request
An oasis of peace and tranquility with views of the Chianti valleys not far from the main tourist attractions of Tuscany. -
- Firenze (Florence)
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37 km from Valdelsa
Marignolle relais & charme
The charming Marignolle Relais & Charme, nestled the hills of Florence, is the ideal solution for those who want a place of excellence and relaxation and love peace and privacy without the amenities of a luxury hotel.
Booking ONLINE
Marignolle Relais & Charme is especially appreciated by travelers looking for style and tradition by offering deluxe rooms or junior suites in a refined, with superior comforts and impeccable services that make this relais an excellence of Florence. -
- Bagno a Ripoli (Florence)
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44 km from Valdelsa
Villa Valdarno 12 beds
Villa Valdarno is a typical Tuscan farmhouse located in a secluded and peaceful area in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, among vineyards and olive groves, and enjoys a privileged panoramic view of the Florentine Valdarno.
Availability request
The ideal solution for groups of friends or acquaintances who wish to spend their holidays in Tuscany with the comforts of a detached villa with swimming pool and large garden. -
- Castagneto Carducci (Livorno)
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51 km from Valdelsa
Podere Vignanova
Podere Vignanova, little charming resort in Tuscany, in one of the more enchanting corners of the Etruscan coast, where vineyards with wines which are conquering the world.
Availability request
Surrounded by important vineyards in Castagneto hills the farm holding includes an old country house which hosts 4 comfortable flats and 4 delightful suites. -
- Montepulciano (Siena)
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65 km from Valdelsa
Agriturismo le Caggiole
Immersed in the verdant countryside around the noble town of Montepulciano, that boasts ancient Etruscan origins, Le Caggiole Estate is perfectly located for exploring Tuscany's most prized treasures.
Availability request
In a relaxing and cosy atmosphere uests are offered three comfortable, quiet double rooms with private bathrooms and two comfortable apartments for two persons and for small family groups. -
- Lucca (Lucca)
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71 km from Valdelsa
Historic Villa Lucca 12 beds pool
Historic villa 14 km from the center of Lucca immersed in the green of the Tuscan vineyards and olive groves, it has a private swimming pool and a large park.
Availability request
Set on 350 square meters in a dominant position offers a unique view of the hills of Tuscany. -
- Castiglione della Pescaia (Grosseto)
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74 km from Valdelsa
Villa Punta Ala 9 beds pool
Beautiful villa with swimming pool surrounded by greenery and tranquility of the exclusive tourist destination Punta Ala and small attic used as service personnel only 300 meters from the sea of Tuscany.
Availability request
This ideal solution for those who want to spend their holidays near the beautiful sea of Punta Ala with the comforts of an exclusive villa. -
- Castiglione della Pescaia (Grosseto)
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75 km from Valdelsa
Villa Roccamare Castiglione della Pescaia 12 beds
Beautiful and characteristic villa with stone finishes located in the exclusive Roccamare area in Castiglione della Pescaia.
Availability request
Surrounded by the green of the pine forest and the total privacy with 2000 sqm park equipped with relaxation area and barbecue is located about 400 meters from the sea and has a private beach. -
- Massarosa (Lucca)
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80 km from Valdelsa
Stone Farmhouse Massarosa 8 beds pool
Stone farmhouse in typical Tuscan style skilfully and elegantly renovated in a dominant position on the hills of Massarosa with spectacular views that reach the sea of Tuscany. The farmhouse has a swimming pool with whirlpool.
Availability request
Perfect solution for those that search the real authentic Tuscany staying in the hills but not far from the Versilia sea.
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