Casentino
Among parish churches and castles, the scent of lavender and sunflowers, Casentino is a small hidden valley in Tuscany, still unspoiled and far from mass tourism. An extraordinary combination of art, history, folklore, and gastronomy invites you to a “motivational journey” rich in activities and experiences.
This green valley in the province of Arezzo is home to the marvellous Casentino Forests, where centuries-old beeches, solemn fir trees, and monumental chestnuts rise from the Arno River up to the ridges of the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines. Streams rush over rocks and waterfalls, creating spectacular and unique landscapes.
Part of this territory forms the Casentino Forests National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first Italian integral nature reserve, a place of excellence for scientific research and certified by the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism. Here, environmental and cultural tourism blend with moments of spirituality and experiences dedicated to leisure.
Within the forests lie sacred places of great fascination, such as the Holy Hermitage of Camaldoli and the Sanctuary of La Verna, destinations for pilgrims and spiritual travellers. Among woods and clearings unfold 600 km of trails: routes for trekking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, guided excursions, nature itineraries, wildlife observation, and original proposals like the Summer Moonlit Walk riding donkeys or sailing on the emerald waters of Lake Ridracoli.
Casentino hosts three biennial exhibitions of artistic craftsmanship dedicated to stone working, wrought iron, and wood.
It is a valley where history and legend intertwine in an aura of magic that has inspired poets such as Dante, D’Annunzio, and Dino Campana.
This is the valley of slow living, a comforting and reassuring way of life that answers the clamour of city life with the silence of nature.
