Subbiano

Sitting prettily on the banks of the Arno River, Subbiano is an adorable little town. It bears a stylistic resemblance to the cities that once ruled over it - Florence and Arezzo. Instead of climbing a hillside, Subbiano is clustered on the valley that spreads out toward Arezzo. Houses and old mills flank the river bank, taking advantage of the water to power the once-active mills.

Wander around and enjoy the friendly smiles and atmosphere of well-kept streets that lead past palazzi and into piazzas. Subbiano may be small but it is charming and is not lacking in restaurants, pizzerias and coffee bars. Stop into one of the food shops to taste the local pecorino cheese, which is available in a soft, fresh, creamy version as well as the sharper aged cheese. The area is noted for its wine production, especially Tuscany's most famous vintage, Chianti, but local varieties such as Canaiolo and Sangiovese are used as well. Vin Santo is a very nice sweet dessert wine from this area. Local honey and chestnuts are worth a try, too.

The story-book castle is entered through the gate in the tower, which leads into a courtyard with views over the river. Throughout the area you'll find castles dotting the hills, their towers rising above the trees.

The landscapes surrounding Subbiano are classic Tuscany - abundant silvery olive groves followed by ordered rows of grape vines, punctuated by the lines of cypress trees that outline the country lanes. These roads are nice for country walks, biking, or horseback rides.

Subbiano is in a perfect position for exploring - it's just twenty minutes from the beautiful art city of Arezzo (where the movie Life is Beautiful was filmed). In less than an hour you can find yourself in Florence, Siena, Cortona, Montepulciano, Perugia, and the fabulous Chianti region...in short, the most famous sights of Tuscany are close by!