Places to See and Visit & Things to Do!
The Immediate Locality
The surrounding locality of Paciano offers something for everyone. Enjoy the tranquility of Monte Pausillo, walking through oak/chestnut forests and olive groves on tracks and white roads starting just at the back of the apartments.
Lake Tasimeno
The fourth largest lake in Italy – Trasimeno is a mere 6 km away offering boat rides, sailing and windsurfing lessons. Around its perimeter are nature trails, cycling tracks and a number of discrete artificial beaches with bars and restaurants.
Local Events, Entertainment & Culture
In the immediate vicinity can also be found, horse riding, golf, swimming, local markets and shopping, theatres, musical events, live music and dancing outdoors every week in Panicale in the summer, wine tasting, natural thermal hot springs, countless Art treasures , beautiful churches and frescoes.
Festivals
Countless local festivals occur throughout Summer and continue outside peak season with September’s grape festa, the chestnut festa in October and the olive festa in December. The internationally renowned Umbria Jazz in both winter and summer and the summer’s annual Trasimeno Blues are just two of the musical celebrations. Perugia’s spectacular Euro chocolate takes place every October.
Open Air Pool Water Slides
For children, try the water slides at the open air pool complex at Tavernelle (8km away) open May-September.
See the comprehensive online guide www.perugiaonline.com before you travel, for local information on all of the above. Alternatively, a
bi-monthly ‘whats-on’ booklet “La Guido” is available once you are there.
Other Useful Links:
Golf: The local golf club, Lamborghini Golf Club (6 miles)
Water sports - Details of all 6 local yacht and windsurfing schools
Spa - Luxury spa resorts including public hot pool complex
Local Towns (a small selection)
Castiglione del Lago (8 miles)
- Located on a small promontory planted with olive trees jutting into the west side of Lake Trasimeno
- Wonderful small historic centre with cathedral, 13th century Rocca del Leone (Lion Fortress), Palazzo della Corgna (16th C)
- Excellent restaurants, and swimming beaches both north and south.
- In the summer there is an open air cinema.
- Tulip festival in the spring
- Market day is Wednesday.
Panicale (2.5 miles)
- The sister village to Paciano.
- A 5 minute drive or one of 2 walks (one 30min on the road and a more challenging 90min mountain hike with beautiful views) to this picturesque medieval village, south of the lake on a hill, giving panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
- San Sebastiano Church (frescos by Perugino), Museum of the Madonna della Sbarra and the Cesare Caporali Theatre (18th century).
- The Bruschetta Pomodoro at Bar Gallo is worth the trip
Citta della Pieve (5 miles)
– Town founded on the site of a Roman settlement, which was in turn built on an Etruscan village.
- Home town of the famous renaissance painter Perugino (Pietro Vannucci)
- There are a variety of his paintings including the Adoration of the Magi in the church of Santa Maria della Mercedes and in the cathedral.
- The Palio dei Terzieri takes place each August, and includes a costume pageant, bullfight, archery contest, and evenings of traditional Umbrian and Tuscan cuisine. A bustling market takes place every Saturday.
Regional Attractions
Most within a one hour drive, Paciano is an ideal base for day trips to the Val di Chiana with towns including:
Chiusi (8 miles)
- Ancient etruscan and roman town
- Home to many etruscan tombs
- Etruscan Museum - one of the main repositories of Etruscan remains in Italy
Cortona (20 miles)
- Town made famous by Francis Mayes's book "Under The Tuscan Sun"
- Wonderful restaurants and shopping
- Beautiful views of the Val d' Orcia
Montepulciano (22 miles)
- Home of 2 wonderful wines: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Rosso di Montepulciano
- One of the highest hill towns in Tuscany, wonderful views of the val d'Orcia
- Many restaurants and enotecas (wine shops) as well as great shopping.
- Parts of the film "Twilight: New Moon" were filmed in this town.
Perugia (24 miles)
- An overlooked gem of Umbria, a lively town due to the presence of the University for Foreigners
- Fascinating history dating back to the time of the Etruscans. The enormous etruscan walls were constructed 22 centuries ago and are still visible for long stretches. While the city of Rome was little more than an encampment of huts, one could already enter etruscan Perugia using one of the 7 portals.
- Well known cultural and artistic center of Italy.
- Home of the Summer Umbria Jazz Festival
Pienza (29 miles)
- UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the first application of humanist urban planning 1459 by Pope Pius II (birthplace)
- Probably one of the best view of the val d'Orca.
- Small charming medieval city with many enotecas and restaurants
- Known for their wonderful Pecorino cheese.
- The film "The English Patient" (1996) was filmed here.
- One of the towns I never get tired of visiting.
Bagno Vignoni (30 miles)
- Ancient thermal springs used since Roman times
Orvieto (37 miles)
- Dramatic setting rising 640ft above the almost vertical tuff cliffs.
- The Duomo is one of the great gothic cathedrals of the middle ages. Colorful mosaics adorn her magnificent facade
- The underground city and St. Patricks well are a must see.
Assisi (40 miles)
- Birthplace of one of Italy's 2 patron saints, St. Francis is a major catholic pilgrimage site accommodating 4-5millions visitors/yr
- The double basilica dedicated to St. Francis is a delight to visit.
- Can be busy with tourists during the day. Since Paciano is close go later in the day and stay late.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
Montalcino (41 miles)
- Home of the famous wine: Brunello di Montalcino
Siena (56 miles)
- UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most visited places in Italy
- Fascinating civic history as well as history of the neighborhood contrade and of course the Palio horse race run twice each summer
- Magnificent Duomo (my favorite) and the famous palazzo del campo.
Rome to the south and Florence and San Gimignano to the north are a little over 2hr drive from Paciano. The A1 motorway links both, as do fast train lines from local Chuisi railway station. So Paciano is ideally placed for a touring vacation of central Italy, yet convenient to return at night to the tranquil peace of village life.
The Immediate Locality
The surrounding locality of Paciano offers something for everyone. Enjoy the tranquility of Monte Pausillo, walking through oak/chestnut forests and olive groves on tracks and white roads starting just at the back of the apartments.
Lake Tasimeno
The fourth largest lake in Italy – Trasimeno is a mere 6 km away offering boat rides, sailing and windsurfing lessons. Around its perimeter are nature trails, cycling tracks and a number of discrete artificial beaches with bars and restaurants.
Local Events, Entertainment & Culture
In the immediate vicinity can also be found, horse riding, golf, swimming, local markets and shopping, theatres, musical events, live music and dancing outdoors every week in Panicale in the summer, wine tasting, natural thermal hot springs, countless Art treasures , beautiful churches and frescoes.
Festivals
Countless local festivals occur throughout Summer and continue outside peak season with September’s grape festa, the chestnut festa in October and the olive festa in December. The internationally renowned Umbria Jazz in both winter and summer and the summer’s annual Trasimeno Blues are just two of the musical celebrations. Perugia’s spectacular Euro chocolate takes place every October.
Open Air Pool Water Slides
For children, try the water slides at the open air pool complex at Tavernelle (8km away) open May-September.
See the comprehensive online guide www.perugiaonline.com before you travel, for local information on all of the above. Alternatively, a
bi-monthly ‘whats-on’ booklet “La Guido” is available once you are there.
Other Useful Links:
Golf: The local golf club, Lamborghini Golf Club (6 miles)
Water sports - Details of all 6 local yacht and windsurfing schools
Spa - Luxury spa resorts including public hot pool complex
Local Towns (a small selection)
Castiglione del Lago (8 miles)
- Located on a small promontory planted with olive trees jutting into the west side of Lake Trasimeno
- Wonderful small historic centre with cathedral, 13th century Rocca del Leone (Lion Fortress), Palazzo della Corgna (16th C)
- Excellent restaurants, and swimming beaches both north and south.
- In the summer there is an open air cinema.
- Tulip festival in the spring
- Market day is Wednesday.
Panicale (2.5 miles)
- The sister village to Paciano.
- A 5 minute drive or one of 2 walks (one 30min on the road and a more challenging 90min mountain hike with beautiful views) to this picturesque medieval village, south of the lake on a hill, giving panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
- San Sebastiano Church (frescos by Perugino), Museum of the Madonna della Sbarra and the Cesare Caporali Theatre (18th century).
- The Bruschetta Pomodoro at Bar Gallo is worth the trip
Citta della Pieve (5 miles)
– Town founded on the site of a Roman settlement, which was in turn built on an Etruscan village.
- Home town of the famous renaissance painter Perugino (Pietro Vannucci)
- There are a variety of his paintings including the Adoration of the Magi in the church of Santa Maria della Mercedes and in the cathedral.
- The Palio dei Terzieri takes place each August, and includes a costume pageant, bullfight, archery contest, and evenings of traditional Umbrian and Tuscan cuisine. A bustling market takes place every Saturday.
Regional Attractions
Most within a one hour drive, Paciano is an ideal base for day trips to the Val di Chiana with towns including:
Chiusi (8 miles)
- Ancient etruscan and roman town
- Home to many etruscan tombs
- Etruscan Museum - one of the main repositories of Etruscan remains in Italy
Cortona (20 miles)
- Town made famous by Francis Mayes's book "Under The Tuscan Sun"
- Wonderful restaurants and shopping
- Beautiful views of the Val d' Orcia
Montepulciano (22 miles)
- Home of 2 wonderful wines: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Rosso di Montepulciano
- One of the highest hill towns in Tuscany, wonderful views of the val d'Orcia
- Many restaurants and enotecas (wine shops) as well as great shopping.
- Parts of the film "Twilight: New Moon" were filmed in this town.
Perugia (24 miles)
- An overlooked gem of Umbria, a lively town due to the presence of the University for Foreigners
- Fascinating history dating back to the time of the Etruscans. The enormous etruscan walls were constructed 22 centuries ago and are still visible for long stretches. While the city of Rome was little more than an encampment of huts, one could already enter etruscan Perugia using one of the 7 portals.
- Well known cultural and artistic center of Italy.
- Home of the Summer Umbria Jazz Festival
Pienza (29 miles)
- UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the first application of humanist urban planning 1459 by Pope Pius II (birthplace)
- Probably one of the best view of the val d'Orca.
- Small charming medieval city with many enotecas and restaurants
- Known for their wonderful Pecorino cheese.
- The film "The English Patient" (1996) was filmed here.
- One of the towns I never get tired of visiting.
Bagno Vignoni (30 miles)
- Ancient thermal springs used since Roman times
Orvieto (37 miles)
- Dramatic setting rising 640ft above the almost vertical tuff cliffs.
- The Duomo is one of the great gothic cathedrals of the middle ages. Colorful mosaics adorn her magnificent facade
- The underground city and St. Patricks well are a must see.
Assisi (40 miles)
- Birthplace of one of Italy's 2 patron saints, St. Francis is a major catholic pilgrimage site accommodating 4-5millions visitors/yr
- The double basilica dedicated to St. Francis is a delight to visit.
- Can be busy with tourists during the day. Since Paciano is close go later in the day and stay late.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
Montalcino (41 miles)
- Home of the famous wine: Brunello di Montalcino
Siena (56 miles)
- UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most visited places in Italy
- Fascinating civic history as well as history of the neighborhood contrade and of course the Palio horse race run twice each summer
- Magnificent Duomo (my favorite) and the famous palazzo del campo.
Rome to the south and Florence and San Gimignano to the north are a little over 2hr drive from Paciano. The A1 motorway links both, as do fast train lines from local Chuisi railway station. So Paciano is ideally placed for a touring vacation of central Italy, yet convenient to return at night to the tranquil peace of village life.
