Roccalbegna

The charming village of Roccalbegna, 7 kilometers from Poderone, has several notable fortifications, a Romanesque-Gothic church from the 13th-14th centuries with antique paintings and a large tower which dominates the village. Roccalbegna has a couple of restaurants, a butcher, two general stores, a pharmacy, a bar, a post office bank with an ATM and a well known cheese maker (Caseificio il Fiorino). In the surrounding of Roccalbegna there are numerous paths for walking and exploring the area, which will take you along the river through forests.  The hamlet of Cana near Roccalbegna has also an Aldobrandeschi-built line of walls from the 13th century.  The Bosco dei Rocconi Nature Reserve a few kilometers away is one of the most beautiful and diverse parks in Tuscany. Its territory is wild and ruggard, punctuated by deep gorges and several caves just waiting to be discovered by an intrepid traveller.  It is a paradise for bird watcher.

A 15 minutes drive on the other direction you will find the town of Arcidosso, one of the most striking in the area. The historic centre is dominated by the Aldobrandeschi castle.  The Tibetan Centre at Merigar close to Arcidosso is a major Buddhist centre.

A few kilometers away there is Santa Fiora with its medieval centre, the Fishpond and botanical garden and the Museum of Mines. Santa Fiora is listed among the most beautiful villages in Italy by the Italian Tourism Association "Touring club" (http://www.bandierearancioni.it/borgo/santa-fiora).

Not far away there are  many more stunning villages such as the 'Tufo  towns Pitigliano, Sovana and Sorano, built on the top of a hill, all within a fifty-minute drive.

You can reach the top of Mount Amiata sky resort in about 20 minutes by car. In Mount Amiata you can find paths for hiking, those for the mountain bike, parks and naturalistic areas.

Beaches (Marina di Grosseto and Principina a Mare) are 60 kilometers away.  In the heart of Tuscan Maremma these two seaside locations are surrounded by pine-wood of the Maremma natural Park. Thanks to the qualities of waters and beaches the area has received the European Blue Flag since the year 2005. Here the tourist can choose between relaxing and sunbathing in one of the numerous equipped bathing establishments, or practicising water sports such as sail, kitesurf, water scooter... Otherwise you can go trekking on foot or riding in Maremma.

Several thermal baths are within easy reach of the cottage. The hot springs at Saturnia are about half an hour by car. Bagno Vignoni with its stunning pool with hot springs in the main square is 42 kilometers away. Bagni San Filippo ia also around 40 kilometers away.

One and half hour drive will take you to Monte Argentario, a peninsula, connected to the coast of the Maremma by three strips of land, which form two lagoons, The area has a nature reserve and some relatively unspoilt beaches, such as La Feniglia, a big, wide sandy beach of dunes of about 7 kilometres. It is one of the most famous beaches in the area because of its beauty and because it is suitable for families. The water is crystal clear and the presence of Mediterranean pinewoods is a plus. The two main villages of Monte Argentario are the picturesque Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole.  From there you have easy access to Giglio, Giannutri and Montecristo, all islands of the Tuscan Archipelago.

Montalcino famous for its Brunello red wine is one hour away by car, while you need one and half hour to reach Siena.  A two and half hour drive will lead you to Rome and Florence. Otherwise you can get a fast train to Rome from Grosseto.