Tourist sites
Sant’Antimo - This is a fascinating hermitage, with
a medieval cathedral where still today monks sing
Gregorian chants (it is not uncommon to have the
chance to hear them). About 80 km away: take
the same road for Montalcino (above) and just
prior to entering the city, turn off to the left and
follow indications to Sant’Antimo.
104 abantu bendawo batusa
Abbey ka-Sant'Antimo
222 Localita' S. AntimoSant’Antimo - This is a fascinating hermitage, with
a medieval cathedral where still today monks sing
Gregorian chants (it is not uncommon to have the
chance to hear them). About 80 km away: take
the same road for Montalcino (above) and just
prior to entering the city, turn off to the left and
follow indications to Sant’Antimo.
Certaldo Alto - Certaldo. This ancient hamlet is the
birthplace of Boccaccio. Once you arrive in the
newer part of the town, you will find signs for the
cog railway which leads to the medieval city that
houses numerous buildings from the 1200s,
including the Palazzo dei Priori itself worth the
trip. About 30 km away: drive to San Pancrazio,
and at the intersection, turn left and then continue on this road. Shortly afterward you will find
indications to Certaldo.
61 abantu bendawo batusa
Certaldo Alto
1 Via delle MuraCertaldo Alto - Certaldo. This ancient hamlet is the
birthplace of Boccaccio. Once you arrive in the
newer part of the town, you will find signs for the
cog railway which leads to the medieval city that
houses numerous buildings from the 1200s,
including the Palazzo dei Priori itself worth the
trip. About 30 km away: drive to San Pancrazio,
and at the intersection, turn left and then continue on this road. Shortly afterward you will find
indications to Certaldo.
Montalcino - is the Italian wine capital, especially
celebrated for its Brunello. In addition to being
perched in an enchanting position over the valley,
there are many places to taste and buy the
famous Brunello at tempting prices. About 80 km
away: take the highway for Siena, then proceed
towards Rome. After about 30 km you will come
to an intersection with indications for Montalcino.
461 abantu bendawo batusa
Montalcino
Montalcino - is the Italian wine capital, especially
celebrated for its Brunello. In addition to being
perched in an enchanting position over the valley,
there are many places to taste and buy the
famous Brunello at tempting prices. About 80 km
away: take the highway for Siena, then proceed
towards Rome. After about 30 km you will come
to an intersection with indications for Montalcino.
Monteriggioni: This tiny ancient hamlet is still today encircled by its medieval walls. A small gem which has survived almost
intact to the present. About 40 km away: Take
the highway towards Siena; after about 30 km.
You will come to the exit of Monteriggioni. The town is very visible from the highway, simply follow the indications you will see as soon as you exit.
458 abantu bendawo batusa
Monteriggioni
Monteriggioni: This tiny ancient hamlet is still today encircled by its medieval walls. A small gem which has survived almost
intact to the present. About 40 km away: Take
the highway towards Siena; after about 30 km.
You will come to the exit of Monteriggioni. The town is very visible from the highway, simply follow the indications you will see as soon as you exit.
Restaurants
Good value for money: Trattoria Ponterotto
(Loc. Ponterotto – Tel. 055-828090). This is the best example of a true Tuscan trattoria, family restaurant, with no pretensions to elegance, but with food that is of excellent quality. Everything on the menu is authentic and especially good is their Minestra Lombarda, a bean and bread soup,
which seems richer than it actually is. The main drawback to this restaurant is that it is only open for lunch and for Sunday dinner. Drive to San Pancrazio (see “Daily Shopping”); at the
crossroads, turn right in the direction San Casciano, and at the bottom of the hill once you have passed the small industrial area and a small bridge, you will see just before beginning the road up to San Casciano, a house on the left. It has nothing labelling it as a restaurant, but there is a
small “Alimentari” sign – this is the trattoria.
Typical cost: € 15-25 / person.
We also suggest to walk along the brief portion of the river Pesa, located here at Ponterotto in the direction of Cerbaia (near the town of San Casciano), that is particularly unusual. We can even say it is fascinating.
Here, in fact, the water leaves its natural bed and enters a sort of canyon with mini rapids and small caverns where various species of fish are found. Technically it is a phenomenon of regressive erosion of the riverbed of the Pesa, a completely natural aspect that has been visible and recognized for some time.
The uniqueness of the location is due to its variety of geologic layers, were conglomerates of gravel and pebbles alternate with underlying claylike soil, finer and more compact. It is advisable to go with low tide (springtime and summer)
Ponterotto
Good value for money: Trattoria Ponterotto
(Loc. Ponterotto – Tel. 055-828090). This is the best example of a true Tuscan trattoria, family restaurant, with no pretensions to elegance, but with food that is of excellent quality. Everything on the menu is authentic and especially good is their Minestra Lombarda, a bean and bread soup,
which seems richer than it actually is. The main drawback to this restaurant is that it is only open for lunch and for Sunday dinner. Drive to San Pancrazio (see “Daily Shopping”); at the
crossroads, turn right in the direction San Casciano, and at the bottom of the hill once you have passed the small industrial area and a small bridge, you will see just before beginning the road up to San Casciano, a house on the left. It has nothing labelling it as a restaurant, but there is a
small “Alimentari” sign – this is the trattoria.
Typical cost: € 15-25 / person.
We also suggest to walk along the brief portion of the river Pesa, located here at Ponterotto in the direction of Cerbaia (near the town of San Casciano), that is particularly unusual. We can even say it is fascinating.
Here, in fact, the water leaves its natural bed and enters a sort of canyon with mini rapids and small caverns where various species of fish are found. Technically it is a phenomenon of regressive erosion of the riverbed of the Pesa, a completely natural aspect that has been visible and recognized for some time.
The uniqueness of the location is due to its variety of geologic layers, were conglomerates of gravel and pebbles alternate with underlying claylike soil, finer and more compact. It is advisable to go with low tide (springtime and summer)
La Fattoria (Romita – Tel. 055-
8070158). In our opinion, in this restaurant, you find the best Fiorentina steaks anywhere in Tuscany, as well as an incredible selection of antipasti. Go to Santa Cristina, and follow the provincial road for about 4 km, until the road ends
and leads into another provincial road with indications to Tavarnelle to the right and Firenze to the left. The restaurant is the building in front of you at the end of the road. Typical cost: € 40-45 / person.
Romita
La Fattoria (Romita – Tel. 055-
8070158). In our opinion, in this restaurant, you find the best Fiorentina steaks anywhere in Tuscany, as well as an incredible selection of antipasti. Go to Santa Cristina, and follow the provincial road for about 4 km, until the road ends
and leads into another provincial road with indications to Tavarnelle to the right and Firenze to the left. The restaurant is the building in front of you at the end of the road. Typical cost: € 40-45 / person.
Il Focolare (Montagnana – Tel. 0571-671132). This is a pleasant elegant restaurant with ample menu selections. Here, too, the Florentine steak is excellent, but our favourite dish on the
menu is "Francesina di lesso con le cipolle": - so delicious you won’t be able to tell if it is meat or dessert. The wine-cellar is absolutely excellent. – Drive to San Pancrazio (see “Daily Shopping” section), proceed straight towards Cerbaia e San
Quirico. After the residential area, continue for another 2 km until the road ends and leads into the Volterrana (Cerbaia to the right, Montespertoli to the left). Turn left here and after a short incline at the top of the hill you will come to the small
hamlet of Montagnana: at your left, you will see a petrol station and just opposite there is the restaurant.
Montagnana
Il Focolare (Montagnana – Tel. 0571-671132). This is a pleasant elegant restaurant with ample menu selections. Here, too, the Florentine steak is excellent, but our favourite dish on the
menu is "Francesina di lesso con le cipolle": - so delicious you won’t be able to tell if it is meat or dessert. The wine-cellar is absolutely excellent. – Drive to San Pancrazio (see “Daily Shopping” section), proceed straight towards Cerbaia e San
Quirico. After the residential area, continue for another 2 km until the road ends and leads into the Volterrana (Cerbaia to the right, Montespertoli to the left). Turn left here and after a short incline at the top of the hill you will come to the small
hamlet of Montagnana: at your left, you will see a petrol station and just opposite there is the restaurant.
Medium-priced, excellent value for money:
Trattoria da Bule (Bargino – Tel. 055- 824.94.89). Offers all kind of true Tuscan food. Drive downhill to Bargino; when in the middle of the village, turn left indo a dead street, where you see the restaurant.
Bargino
Medium-priced, excellent value for money:
Trattoria da Bule (Bargino – Tel. 055- 824.94.89). Offers all kind of true Tuscan food. Drive downhill to Bargino; when in the middle of the village, turn left indo a dead street, where you see the restaurant.
Good value for money: La Fornace (Tavarnelle – Tel. 055-8076310).
In this restaurant/pizzeria you can eat well and – if the host is in the right mood – quickly. Particularly good is the Toscanaccia pizza, with sausage and beans, though it is not
always available. Go first to Romita (see La Fattoria restaurant); at the crossroads near the restaurant, turn to the right towards Tavarnelle.
Drive up the hill for about 2 km until you reach the entrance of Tavarnelle; there you will find a roundabout, where you turn right following the sign “Tutte le Direzioni”. At the second roundabout proceed straight and at the third, you
will see a large square in front of you (with the COOP to the left of it). The restaurant is just beyond the square.
28 abantu bendawo batusa
Tavarnelle Val di Pesa
Good value for money: La Fornace (Tavarnelle – Tel. 055-8076310).
In this restaurant/pizzeria you can eat well and – if the host is in the right mood – quickly. Particularly good is the Toscanaccia pizza, with sausage and beans, though it is not
always available. Go first to Romita (see La Fattoria restaurant); at the crossroads near the restaurant, turn to the right towards Tavarnelle.
Drive up the hill for about 2 km until you reach the entrance of Tavarnelle; there you will find a roundabout, where you turn right following the sign “Tutte le Direzioni”. At the second roundabout proceed straight and at the third, you
will see a large square in front of you (with the COOP to the left of it). The restaurant is just beyond the square.
Must-see towns
Florence
Siena
San Gimignano
Piazza Sant'AgostinoArezzo
Volterra
Izeluleko zedolobha
Ukuzulazula
A car is strongly recommended for moving around
In the center of Santa Cristina there is a SITA bus stop, with a timetable attached. You can reach San Casciano in about half an hour, or other villages around (direct bus to Florence passes just twice a day). In San Casciano, you can catch other buses to all regional destinations. Or you may reach the "tramvia" station (overground fast train) in 25min. drive, catch the train to Florence central train station and forget about the car. You may then come back even at late-night (last train back from Florence is at midnight)
Ungaphuthelwa
Local products
The availability of local food products (wine, oil, cold
meats, cheese, honey, marmalade, etc) that you can
buy directly from producers is practically endless.
Simply turn down any road in the countryside and
keep an eye out for the small signs which agricultural
producers put up to attract customer interest.
Imikhuba namasiko
Shops' opening hours
Please note that local shops are open from 8 am to 1 pm and from 4 or 5 pm to 7:30/8:00. Supermarkets in San Casciano and Montespertoli are open all day until 8 pm
Ukuzulazula
Tourist Information
The nearest Tourist Information Office ( called APT) is in San Casciano, in Piazza della Repubblica.
Tel: +39 055-8229558