Around us

Locanda del Ponte, thanks to its "strategic" position, on both sides of the provinces of Siena and Grosseto, is the  ideal base from which to leave for excursions and visits in search of the treasures which the surrounding areas offer.  Important Abbeys such as San Galgano, Sant'Antimo, Monte Oliveto, Santa Mustiola with their centuries old cloisters. Small fortified centres which still keep their medieval characters intact such as Monteriggioni and S. Gimignano. The naturalistic beauties of the valleys of the river Farma and the river Merse or the rocky faces of hills, the grand beech trees, the luxuriant wood flora of the Rocconi Forest on the nearby Mount Amiata.  From here, the thermal waters of Bagno Vignoni, Petriolo, Rapolano spring and in these waters Popes and Emperors have bathed.  And yet again the dunes and clay hills of the Crete Senesi, shaped during the centuries by the sun, rain and wind.  And finally, the thousand flavours of the Tuscan gastronomy and the wine roads of the Chianti. A short distance away, towards the south, the sea and the coast with the promontory of the Argentario, Talamone, the Parco dell'Uccellina, Punt'Ala, Castiglione della Pescaia.

	Arezzo Arezzo is set in the south-east of Tuscany, in the middleof four marvellous valleys which radiate off from the town: the "Val Tiberina" , "Casentino", "Valdarno" and "Valdichiana". The artistic cityitinerary incudes highly interesting elementswith extremely original characteristics, the yearly Antique Furniture Exhibition that takes place at the very beginning of September is very well known and attended by many people.
	Florence "Florentia", the florid, was the name given by the Romans to this small settlement located at the foot of the ancient Etruscan Fiesole and founded in the first century BC. Despite the internal struggles, first between rival families and then between the Guelfs (loyal to the Pope) and the Ghibellines (loyal to the Emperor), from the thirteenth century onwards it began to flourish as a city of art, culture and international trading, reaching its zenith in the fifteenth century under the Signoria of Cosimo and Lorenzo de’ Medici.
	Livorno Here time is for holidays all year round because the sea and nature, art and history blend uniquely in a harmonious whole. The countryside is crossed by the Wine Road which gives birth to unique world-renowned products such as the local wine "Sassicaia". The environment is incredibly rich in parks, sanctuaries, botanical oases, fauna shelters preserving rare animal species, thick vegetation of long, shady pine forests and woods covering the hillsides.
	Pisa Pisa plays a main role from an artistic point of view: here the renawal in architecture, in sculpture and painting anticipate the florentine movement of the renaissance: towers, castles, churches, monasteries, all scattered on the top of hills along the rivers and in the ancient streets. The natural and environmental heritage is particularly attractive: in the area you can visit the Natural Park of Migliarino- San Rosssore, Massaciuccoli, the Pisano Mountain, the Hills, the Coastline at Marina di Vecchiano, Marina di Pisa and Tirrenia.
	Lucca Lucca and this part of Tuscany is extremely particular and much of its territory has a completely different appearance to the classic Tuscan landscape. In the Serchio valley and Garfagnana, rather than the gentle peaceful hills of Renaissance paintings, you can find majestic mountains of marble and roch that loom over the valley bottom along the river Serchio where roads wind their way and unexpectedly open out into sunny areas with small ancient villages, settled on green hills, that reflect in lakes with magic images.
	Pistoia Famous for the hot springs of Montecatini since the 14th century, it reached international fame at the turn of last century. Apart from the efficiency and variety of the facilities offered, it also boasts an elegant and refined appearance: many buildings of Liberty architecture, large parks and tree-lined avenues. The proximity to important Tuscan centres of art as well as the numerous and prestigious events make Montecatini one of the most famous resort in Tuscany.
	Massa The provincie of Massa Carrara, situated at the northern most tip of Tuscany, is a small area where nature has been particularly generous. The most outstanding features of its landscape are the sea and the Apuan Alps. Nestled in among the hills and olive groves lies Carrara, the capital of marble. Behind the town, the mountains hold a treasure wich is dear to sculptors of all times.