Welcome to Tuscany, one of Italy's best-loved regions and home of Chiantishire.If you're travelling north from Rieti towards Montevarchi, and you're in no hurry, then it's worth taking a short detour to Monte Luco, where you can feast both your eyes and lungs on its dark-green spruce forest

There's lots to do and see in the area but if you're pushed for time don't miss Brolio Castle. The Castle is between the towns of Castelnuovo Berardenga and Gaiole in Chianti, along the state road S484, also known as Strada dei Castelli in Chianti (The Chianti Castle Route). And, given that we're in the Chianti area, why not try out a glass (or two) of local wine? The Tenuta Ricasoli winery is close to the castle and you can taste an excellent Chianti or even stock up on a few bottles to bring back home (phone +39-0577-7301).

Montevarchi is a charming mediaeval town with an interesting museum. The Palaeontology Museum, in the old Convent of San Ludovico (itself a beautiful building from the 1400s complete with cloister) houses a fine collection of fossils from the Pliocene period.
Farmhouse accommodation is popular in Tuscany and if you enjoy riding then the Azienda Agricola Rendola Riding is just the place for you: as well as offering food and accommodation you can also go pony trekking or, if you're new to the saddle, book in for a course of lessons.

If you've still got energy to burn Arezzo, birthplace of the poet Petrarch, is just 40 kilometres down the road. Catch the frescoes by Piero della Francesca in San Francesco's Church. Then promise to come back for the Giostra del Saracino (Saracen's Jousting Tournament), a colourful festival held on the last Sunday in August and the first one of September.