WALKING AND HIKING:
Casa Santicchio is centrally located for a series of walks indicated by the National park of Casentino Forests, by CAI and by ourselves. This allows for easy access to walks and excursions, through woods and along streams, which take you to the most beautiful spots and panoramic views. There are excursions varying in length from half an hours walk to a whole day. Although it’s possible to walk almost all year round, the best seasons here are spring, summer and autumn.
Walking is good for the body and mind, it helps to banish worries and promotes carefree thoughts. It helps us to discover the beauty of nature and the physical effort involved is rewarded by stimulating good moods and improving our health.. Walking is not only a means of discovering nature but also and above all a way to discover ourselves.
GROUPS:
Casa Santicchio is the ideal place for residential retreats in yoga, meditation, dance, massage, tai chi, photography, painting and much more. Thanks to the quietness of the place, the natural beauty of the surroundings and the genuineness of the food, it’s the perfect setting for these activities.
If you are a teacher, a researcher or the leader of a group, bring your class of students to this wonderful hidden corner of Tuscany and you’ll find the ideal place for whatever your activity is.
EXCURSIONS:
- There are many paths which run from Casa Santicchio, all with panoramic views of great beauty and historic interest.
- 1) The closest national park visitors centres are at Badia Prataglia and at Camaldoli, where you can find the forestali Flora and Fauna museum.
- 2) Camaldoli the monastery and hermitage with its 20 cells, among which was San Rumoraldos. Not to be missed is the specialist pharmacy famous for its healing liquors. The Camaldoli forests and beach, pine and chestunt trees are ideal for walks and picnics.
- 3) La Verna, 12 km from Casa Santicchio, a three hour walk along one of the most beautifull paths of the Vale Santa. There is the convent and Monastery where St Francis received his stigmate.
- 4) The reinassance sanctuary of Santa Maria del Sasso and Santa Maria delle Grazie.
- 5) Vallombrosa abbey and forest.
- 6) Villages of historic interest such as Poppi, Strada, San Nicolò, Sarna, Stia, Pratovecchio, Serravalle, Raggiolo and many more.
- 7) Cities of artistic interest like Florence, little over one hour away, Arezzo, 40 minutes away, Sansepolcro, Cortona, Siena Perugia Assisi and Urbino....
- 8) The heights of Pratomagno covered with woods and fields, ideal for hikes and picnics.
- 9) Events in the Casentino National Park
Casa Santicchio is around 60 km from Florence, 40 km from Arezzo. The closest town is Bibbiena around 12 km away.
The closest Airports are Florence, Pisa Bologna, Perugia e Roma.
