Cities and idyllic Italian villages

Città della Pieve

Just 7 kilometers from Casa San Carlo is the beautiful town of Città della Pieve, the birthplace of the painter Pietro Vannucci, also known as Perugino. This Renaissance painter was the teacher of the young Raphael. Admire his work in the Sistine Chapel in Rome, but also in the cathedral of Città della Pieve.

Città della Pieve has many typical beautiful alleys, good restaurants, cozy shops, several supermarkets, banks with ATMs, a theater, and of course an enoteca where you can eat delicious small dishes in addition to a good glass of wine.

Perugia

Perugia, the capital of Umbria, consists of two parts: the old town on top of the hill, and the new town in the valley, where business life takes place. Perugia is 40 km from Casa San Carlo.
Perugia is really a medieval city in appearance, but has remarkably young, cosmopolitan inhabitants. There are many foreign students taking language courses at the Università per Stragnieri, and the annual jazz festival in July attracts musicians and tourists from all over the world.
In Piazza IV Novembre, at the beginning of the main street Corso Vannucci, there are two of Perugia's most important monuments: the Palazzo dei Priori and the Fontana Maggiore. The fountain is one of the most important Romanesque monuments in Italy. The Palazzo dei Priori houses the beautiful Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria. Perugia is a lively and beautiful city, a great place to spend a day strolling, shopping and soaking up culture.

Assisi

This world-famous city hardly needs an introduction, and has been a tourist attraction since time immemorial. Assisi is a 70-minute drive (63 kilometers) from Casa San Carlo. Thousands of people flock there every year to admire the frescoes by the young Giotto, among others, in the San Franscesco Basilica. And to visit the tomb of Santa Chiara, Saint Clare, in the impressive church of the same name.
The life of Francis is still a source of inspiration for many believers today, almost 800 years after his death. But non-believers are also fascinated by the city, including the impressive fortress that towers high above the city and offers a beautiful view over the valley.

Orvieto

The medieval city of Orvieto - 25 kilometers from Casa San Carlo - is built on a huge high tuff platform. The old town, with its magnificent Duomo (rightly called one of the most beautiful in all of Italy!) has hardly changed in the last 500 years.

The magnificent Duomo was founded in 1290 but was not completed until 300 years later. The façade is 52 meters long and shows a beautiful rose window and mosaics. The cathedral houses the Madonna di San Brizio Chapel, with impressive frescoes by Luca Signorelli. In addition to the cathedral, there are many other churches and (bell) towers to admire.

Also very special is the tour of the underground city: Orvieto is built on 1300 caves, dug by the Etruscans as a storage place. Over the centuries, these caves have had all kinds of different functions. A guide from the tourist office will tell you all about it!

Orvieto is also a pleasant city with many shops and restaurants. Here you can of course drink a glass of Orvieto Classico Superiore, the white wine of the region! In winter - at the end of December/beginning of January - the Umbria Jazz Winter festival is held in Orvieto, the winter version of the Jazz Festival of Perugia.

San Casciano dei Bagni

San Casciano dei Bagni is also called "Uno dei borghi più belli d'Italia": together with villages such as Cetona and Panicale, it is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. It is half an hour's drive from Casa San Carlo.

It is famous for the 42 hot springs discovered by the Etruscans and developed by the Romans. Now the chic Fonteverde Spa Resort uses these hot springs. But also in the forest you can enjoy the 40 degrees warm water in the open air by floating in one of the 'baths'.

The old center consists of the well-known small streets and alleys that lead uphill to the town hall. Only the Santa Maria della Colonna church, which stands outside the village, dates from the 5th century AD.

From the Castle of Fighine, 4 kilometers away from San Casciano dei Bagni, you have a magnificent view over the Val di Chiana and you can even see as far as the Apennines.

Typical Tuscany

Montepulciano is half an hour's drive from Casa San Carlo. It is also called the 'pearl of the 16th century'. Around the Piazza Grande, Renaissance buildings shine; Many artists built their splendid houses here. Many tourists visit Montepulciano for its famous Vino Nobile.

Near Montepulciano is the picturesque Pienza, and the route between the two cities forms the backdrop of many a postcard. If you don't like cypresses, you shouldn't drive here.... Pienza is the city of Pecorino cheeses: so enjoy a fine cheese platter with a nice glass of red wine!

Cities & towns