Longing for the sea and relaxing on the beach? Marina di Grosseto is less than 80 km from the Podere Vignali; a little further afield are the famous towns of Castiglion della Pescaia and Punta Ala. Other recommended BEACH trips are those to the Uccellina Natural Park (80km) and to the Argentario promontory (110km).

The possibility of organizing magnificent walks through ancient paths and mule tracks through landscapes that vary from the Mediterranean to the rolling Tuscan hills, among olive groves, meadows, farmhouses and ancient ruins.

Some of the curiosities and destinations to discover are: the “Acqua Bona lake”, a small natural oasis near the former lignite mines, the ruins of the Hermitage of Montespecchio (the Conventaccio), the old mills, the ancient kilns, the old mining village and the route of the ancient coal-mining railway … and much more !!

The Cultural Association of Murlo organizes from May to June periodic free guided walks (from 6 to 9 km) to enjoy the wonderful places near the Castle of Murlo. For more information contact us without obligation.

The ancient Via Francigena that leads from Santiago de Compostela to Rome passes through the Val d’Arbia a few kilometers from Murlo.

For Golf lovers very close to the Podere (21km and 15km) two renowned Golf Clubs offering an 18-hole circuit set in the hills and surrounded by the Tuscan woods.

At 2km from the Podere it is possible to practice tennis on a synthetic field.

The area is rich in thermal springs, all easily accessible: Terme di Petriolo, Terme di Rapolano, Bagno Vignoni, Le Galleraie, Bagni San Filippo. Particularly pleasant experience of a trip to Saturnia (115km) with free diving in the small natural pools formed by the cascades that fall from above.

Horse riding can be practiced in the various horse riding centers in the area, including in Murlo (2km) in Monteroni D’Arbia (10km), Buonconvento (9km); possibility of walks, to be agreed directly with the managers of the centers.

The Trasimeno lake is only 70km from the Vignali estate. Here you can book and organize boat trips on the lake, sport fishing, sailing, windsurfing and scuba diving.

The Lake of Montepulciano at 70km, residual of the marsh that occupied the Val di Chiana wine at the time of the Medici, today preserves an interesting Nature Reserve that hosts the LIPU Oasis of Montepulciano. For all fans of nature reserves, nature and animals is a place not to be missed.

Turning a few kilometers to the south in the upper Lazio, lies the Lago di Bolsena (90km). It is the largest volcanic lake in Europe and deserves the hike.

The nature around the Podere Vignali offers enthusiasts of flora and fauna numerous observational possibilities and photographic opportunities. The local flora is characterized by the presence of oaks, holm oaks, strawberry trees and junipers, with spectacular blooms of hawthorns, cyclamens, brooms, cistuses and dog roses. The hills and arable land in each season vary in color and in summer there are many fields of sunflowers.
The local fauna is very varied and abundant and the meeting with wild animals such as roe deer, pheasant, wild boar, porcupine, hare, fox, badger is not infrequent.

Podere Vignali is located in the heart of the Sienese hills, on an ancient medieval road, a short distance from the Etruscan excavations of Poggio Civitate.
The visit to the small village of Castello di Murlo, once the seat of the Bishop of Siena, is really pleasant and, thanks to the excellent restoration, allows you to fully appreciate the atmosphere before entering the Etruscan Museum “Antiquarium di Poggio Civitate”, recently restored and enlarged, where important findings of the ancient people are exposed.

Siena, Unesco heritage since 1995, is only 25km away and will enchant you with its beauty rich in historical and artistic monuments. Here is where the famous Palio on horseback runs twice a year (July 2nd and August 16th).

Val d’Orcia around the corner, with Montalcino and its Brunello, the Fortezza, the vineyards and the “cellars”. Pienza and its pecorini, the Duomo, Palazzo Piccolomini, the Via dell’Amore and the splendid view of the countryside below; with Montepulciano and its Vino Nobile, Piazza Grande, the Cantina del Redi; with Monticchiello, the panorama of breathtaking Pienza and its Teatro Povero in July and August. With San Quirico, its walls and the Horti Leonini; with Castiglion d’Orcia and its Fortress.
The Crete Senesi, a flight among these particular geological conformations passing through villages, abbeys and rolling hills.

The area is also rich in important and famous abbeys: Monte Oliveto Maggiore, of the Order of the Benedictines, dating back to the ‘400, rebuilt in 1772, Gothic style (22km); Sant’Antimo, Romanesque style, which is said to have been founded by Charlemagne at the end of the 7th century (37km); San Galgano, of the Cistercian friars, suggestive stone skeleton without roof, with the possibility to visit also the small chapel in which is preserved the rock in which San Galgano stuck his sword (38km).
The other famous Tuscan Abbeys of Camaldoli and La Verna, which are located in the Casentino (about 140km), can be the subject of a mystical and suggestive day trip

Do not miss the area of ​​Val d’Elsa, with its ancient strongholds and bulwarks in defense of the Sienese against Volterra and Florentine: Monteriggioni, with the boundary wall also mentioned by Dante in canto XXI of the Inferno and its Medieval Festival in July; Casole d’Elsa, with the Collegiata and, in the surroundings, the Romanesque church of Pievescola; Colle di Val d’Elsa, distributed on three degrading urbanistic levels, with medieval and renaissance features, also famous for its fine craft glassware; San Gimignano, famous for its towers (today there are still 15 of the original 72) and Piazza della Cisterna; Volterra, with its walls, the Piazza dei Priori and the craft of alabaster.
Even Arezzo and Cortona, both 80km away, are definitely worth a visit as well as Massa Marittima at 65km.

The Chianti, about 50km, with its vineyards and its woods, offers you an immersion in a sweet and wild nature at the same time;
A little further north (90km from Murlo) Florence, mother of the Renaissance and magnificent cradle of art and architecture.

Going south, just beyond Grosseto, do not miss the delightful resorts of Pitigliano, Sovana and Sorano (Etruscan necropolis).