The village of Montecastelli was built in the 13th century between the Peacock Valley (Val di Pavone) and the Cecina Valley, on the top of a hill 504 mt high. Its characteristic houses made of local stones give it a particular atmosphere. The streets are two ellictic lines one above the other on the top of the hill. Montecastelli nestles in the beautiful Peacock Valley (Val di Pavone), encircled by fine woodlands, hills and meadows. The valley is home to a wide variety of animals, birds, butterflies and rare wild plants: snowdrops, hellebore, anemone, narcissus, cyclamen, wild orchids, primrose, brooms, wild cherry trees and arbutus unedo to name just a few. Montecastelli lies 2km from the Peacock River (Pavone) where it is possible to bath, to swim, to make long walks in a wonderful canyon until you reach the confluence with the Cecina River. In case of health problems an English speaking family doctor is nearby.
Cities of art – thermal baths: According to the UNESCO, 60% of World's Heritage is concentrated in Italy, half of which is to be found in Florence alone! Florence is one hour from Montecastelli, Pisa 80 minutes, Volterra 40 minutes, Siena 40 minutes, San Gimignano 40 minutes, Colle Val d'Elsa 25 minutes, Lucca 1 hour 45 minutes, Castelnuovo Val di Cecina 15 minutes, Montecastelli 5 minutes, not forgetting the little discovered gem of Massa Marittima,45 minutes. But remember: the lesser known Medieval and Etruscan towns of Tuscany hold its real charm and beauty. Hundreds of churches, museums, art galleries, buildings, as well as street markets, shops and restaurants, hidden in narrow streets of little villages, are waiting for you to discover and explore them. Very old and beautiful thermal baths were you can relax yourself are 40 to 90 minutes far: Bagno Vignoni, Petriolo, Casciana Terme, Venturina.
Tuscan wines, Tuscan olive oil, chestnuts: Around Montecastelli it is possible to find high quality wines at really reasonable prices, in Castelnuovo VC (15 minutes) there is a good Enoteca. Montalcino with its Brunello and Rosso is not far. It is possible to buy good olive oil in many villages. In Castelnuovo Val di Cecina there is in October a chestnut fair. In San Gimignano there is in November a Festival for finest olive oils (olio extra vergine). During the early spring you can find wild asparagus along the paths. Three good local restaurants at very reasonable prices are 5 minutes from Le Pietraie, many others are in the nearby villages.
In spring the hills are getting more and more green every day, with the white blossom of the big wild cherry trees, you can walk among wild primrose, or wild cyclamens, or anemones. There is a field full of yellow narcissus. Every part of the valley has its own flowers. In summer to walk along the River Pavone is something very very special.
GOLF: You can reach several Golf Tuscan Clubs in 1/2-2 hours. They are near the principle Art cities of Tuscany, and the time you need to reach them is among the beautiful tuscan hills.
In Tuscany, thanks to a warm climate, and surrounded by the beautiful landscapes, it's possible to play all the year long. By the way, the best period to play golf in Tuscany, is in spring and autumn when the temperature not so high as in summer, let you play during the central hours of the day.The Golf Clubs around us are near FIRENZE:Golf Club Bellosguardo Vinci (Vinci); Golf Club Centanni, Bagno a Ripoli; Circolo dell’Ugolino, Impruneta; Golf & Country Club Poggio dei Medici, Scarperia; Castelfalfi Golf & Country Club, Castelfalfi; Contry Club Le Pavoniere, Prato; near SIENA:Circolo Golf L’Abbadia, Colle Val d’Elsa. Near PISA: Country Club Cosmopolitan, Tirrenia; Montecatini Golf, Monsummano Terme; Golf Club Fontevivo, San Miniato; Golf Club Vicopelago (Lucca); near AREZZO:Golf Club Casentino, Pop
