One of the oldest cities in Tuscany; an ‘open air’ museum rich in historical, cultural and artistic testimony. Dating back to the prehistoric era, Arezzo rapidly developed due to its strategic, confluence position with Valdarno, Valdichiana and Casentino. 

An Etruscan city from the 9th century B.C., then a Roman colony and later declared  a free commune in the XI century, the city prospered until the defeat of Campaldino, in 1289, when it passed under Florentine control. 
Arezzo has always been an important commercial centre with a flourishing artisan tradition of goldsmiths, ceramics, furniture, etc.  Visitors to the city do so on foot exploring in all tranquillity the hidden splendours.  From a nearby car park using the mobile staircase one arrives at the Cathedral where it is possible to admire the fresco of Maddalena by Piero della Francesca and the Marcillat stained glass polychrome.

Then it’s a short walk  to the Church of San Domenico with its Crucifix by Cimabue, and then on to the home of Giorgio Vasari, which is completely frescoed, and the Mediaeval and Modern Art Museum with paintings from the XIII and XIV centuries.
Close by, is the Church of SS. Flora and Lucilla with its false dome – a very effective trompe l’oeil – and the church of San Francesco rich in works of art.

Walking slowly and calmly along, to feel the magic emanating from particulars: the courtyards belonging to ancient palaces, the main gates and wrought iron urban fittings, the Medici Fortress a privileged ‘terrace’ overlooking the city and surrounding hills, and the  Palazzo of the  Pretorio, with coats of arms covering its facade.  The Vasari Loggia characterizes the Piazza Grande, where, on the first Sunday of the month, the oldest Antique Fair in Italy is held and also, twice a year, where the spectacular historical commemoration of the Giostra del Saracino ‘the Saracen Joust’ takes place.

Our itinerary finishes at the Pieve of Santa Maria, a Roman masterpiece characterized by an infinite number of small columns, and a stone bell tower about 60 metres high.  
By now it is lunchtime and we come across one of the many Trattorie where it is possible to taste, in a homely atmosphere, the typical dishes accompanied by a selection of wines chosen by those who know what it’s all about!