1st DAY: POPPI

Arrival of the group in late morning in Poppi, along a very beautiful panoramic road. The village has been declared one of the most beautiful in Italy and it is dominated by the Castle, built in XIII century by Conti Guidi, medieval powers noble lords. Begin of our services. Visit of the Castle, with the model of the battle of Campaldino, in which also a very young Dante took part, and visit of the library “Rilliana” and of the Chapel frescoed by Taddeo Gaddi. Free time for lunch or lunch in restaurant (if reserved). Walk through the city centre, to admire the urban layout and visit of the Chapel “del Morbo” and the “Vallombrosana Badia di San Fedele”. Transfer to the hotel (in the area of Arezzo), dinner and overnight stay.

2nd DAY: CHIUSI DELLA VERNA, CAMALDOLI

After breakfast, transfer to “La Verna” extreme edge of the “Casentino” a renowned place of Christianity and frequently visited due to the remembrances of San Francesco di Assisi. Meeting with the guide (if reserved). Visit of “Santuario della Verna”, which consists in the church, the convent and the chapels. The complex is located on the rocky spur between the Casentino and the Valtiberina. The visit starts at the Meridiana Place with its antique arch which used to be the entrance to the monastery. At the bottom of the towns place is the entrance to the little church of “Santa Maria Degli Angeli” constructed by San Francesco and then renovated several times. Close to this building is an entrance with columns called the “Basilica Maggiore” that offers other beautiful attractions and the Chapel “Cappella delle Reliquie”. From “Piazzale della Meridiana” the group will descend to the “Sasso Spicco”, the place where San Francesco used to retrieve for his prayers. Here, following a narrow corridor which leads to a large rock that was used to be the bed of San Francesco. This corridor is protected by glass walls and gives access to the Chapel “della Stimmate” and shows the tombstone that reminds the visitor of the event occurred in the year 1224: while San Francesco prayed in solitude, he received the stigmate from the Passion of Jesus Christ. Time will be given for lunch or lunch in restaurant can be arranged (if reserved). In the afternoon, transfer to “Camaldoli”, which is famous due to the Monastic Complex “Camaldolese” a well-known pilgrimage destination. Time permitting the Monastery and the Church of “SS. Donato and Ilariano” can be visited. Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

3rd DAY: STIA

After breakfast, depart for Stia, a medieval village, with a beautiful square, which was set of the movie “Il Ciclone” . The group can visit the parish church “S. Maria Assunta”, located in “Piazza Tanucci”, then “Palagio Fiorentino”, “Castello di Porciano” (2 km far – to be booked) and the Church “Santa Maria delle Grazie” (4 km far). Possibility to visit the Museum of Wool, where the characterised “Panno del Casentino” was produced or the “Mulino di Bucchio”, an ancient watermill in the first inhabited centre that river Arno meets in his course. Time for lunch will be given or lunch can be organized in a restaurant (if reserved). End of services.