Locations: Tuscany

The Pieve di Santa Maria, which was built at the height of the Renaissance, is just one the many notable churches in Arezzo.

Although Tuscany suffered from the same strife as Umbria, it has historically been a richer state. Despite a constant struggle for power between rival factions and cities, trade, banking and textile manufacturing thrived during the late mediaeval period, and under the leadership of the Medici family, who came to power in 1434 (and ruled - with varying degrees of benevolence - almost continuously for three centuries), Florence grew powerful and prosperous.

Rich merchants and the Medici themselves used their wealth to build palaces and adorn churches, which resulted in remarkable developments in art and architecture. It was during that period that the majority of Florence's great palazzi and churches were constructed, and many buildings in Arezzo also bear the Medici coat of arms.

Arezzo was, and still is, one of Tuscany's wealthiest cities, with a sophisticated shopping centre as well as many beautiful buildings and one of the grandest piazze in the area. The church of San Francesco holds Piero della Francesca's celebrated frescoes, The Legend of the True Cross, and there are many works of art in the Duomo and other churches. There is also an outdoor antique market on the first Sunday of every month, which takes over most of the old town and attracts dealers from all over central Italy.

Other Tuscan towns of particular interest and within easy reach of Bastia Creti are Siena and the hill town of Cortona. The setting for the popular book Under the Tuscan Sun, Cortona is one of the oldest towns in the region with precipitous narrow streets and a panoramic view over eastern Tuscany. There are a number of churches and museums, and several good restaurants. Siena, which is built on a very different scale, is famous for the Palio, the horse race which takes place in the main piazza twice a year, and a spectacular black and white marble cathedral. Siena is also close to the wine growing regions of Chianti and Montepulciano, where some of Italy's finest wines, including the delicious Brunello di Montepulciano, are produced.

The eastern Tuscan countryside is generally gentler than northern Umbria or Le Marche and, in many areas, has been intensively cultivated for many centuries. Rolling hills are covered with vineyards and fields of wheat and sunflowers, though there are also areas of woodland which produce wild mushrooms and truffles used in the local cuisine.