Casentino can be found between Florence and Arezzo in Toscana. The still small Arno river flows in this valley, in a southern direction before taking a turn to Florence. The area is not that well-known – even among Italians – despite the fact that it is only 50 km from Florence. You don't pass Casentino by chance – you must want to.

The landscape is characterised by softly curved green hills. Seemingly medieval towns and villages that have meanwhile been tastefully restored are located on some of these hills, or are hugging the hillsides. Individual farms and hamlets can be found between them.

The mountains of Casentino feature one of the largest forests in Italy – the Foreste Casentinesi National Park. The park, too, has to do with the long isolation of the area, as has the fortuitous fact that it is still home to deer, badgers, boars and even wolves. Today, the forests of Casentino have become one of the largest national parks in Italy.

The town of Poppi is a conclusive example of architectonic harmony. Poppi, known especially for its castle of Counts Guidi, is rich in intact, historic building structures that provide great insight into the mediaeval origin of the town as well as the development of the whole of Casentino. And what applies to Poppi, applies equally to all other areas of Casentino. The entire valley with its towns at times comes across as a large rural museum. Correspondingly, the many beautiful Roman and mediaeval churches and castles are impressive, but more on the plain side. The highlight of the works of art are the blue and white porcelain reliefs of the family della Robbia.

In Casentino, great emphasis is placed on eating and drinking – as is the case in the whole of Toscana – and the Casentinese are proud of their typical cuisine. On the face of it, this is however not that easy to understand at first, as the dishes typical for the region certainly are not characterised by creativity and ingenuity. Rather, they are traditional and simple, with a clear emphasis on meat, at least as far as the main dish is concerned. It is however mainly served with special Primi, home-made pasta and special sauces or Panzanella and Acqua Cotta. What is however immediately noticeable is the role that the ingredients play: Only top-class primary products are used, where possible, procured directly from the producer.

The language spoken here has retained an archaic touch, and is not dissimilar to antique Italian, in which Dante wrote his "Divine Comedy".

On the last weekend in August each year, Poppi opens its cellars for three days for a wine festival. Winegrowers from all parts of Toscana offer their wines for tasting in the cantinas of Poppi. The cellars are located far beneath the town and are normally out of sight from curious visitors.

Here you find our Borgo Corsignano.