Time slows down in Tuscany. Refresh your soul in Italy's most beautiful landscape

Villa da Eva is located right on the border between Tuscany and Umbria. The location thus combines the beauty of both provinces, is quiet and easily accessible. The ancient towns and villages offer you not only a glimpse into their rich past, but also a glimpse of the local culture, combined with the traditional hospitality of their inhabitants.

If you are a culture lover, a foodie and appreciate the beauty of nature, this part of the world is for you.

Picturesque Monterchi

Set in the beautiful Tuscan countryside, Monterchi offers visitors an authentic medieval experience with its narrow streets, historic buildings and views of the countryside filled with sunflower fields and tobacco fields.

This small picturesque town is only a five-minute drive from the villa. Go there to buy a fresh baguette in the morning or visit the family restaurant in Piazza Umberto I for a light lunch at noon. My son loves to go back:)

Just outside the town is the fantastic La Pieva Vecchia, a restaurant with a breathtaking view of the old town.

The museum here has a rare 15th century painting by Piero della Francesca.

Magic Citerna

Citerna, a small town perched on a rock massif above Monterchi, attracts visitors with its charming historic centre. The town is surrounded by well-preserved medieval walls that provide a breathtaking view of the Tuscan countryside. The town's name derives from the "cisterns", underground water tanks that were of strategic importance during the Middle Ages.

You can stop at the bar and enjoy a refreshing drink in the square overlooking the Tiber Valley. The Osteria le Civette restaurant will not disappoint. It offers unique seating over a good meal within the city walls.

Music in the open air

On the walls of "La rocca", in the ruins of the original small amphitheatre, wonderful concerts are held in summer.

A romantic evening like in the Middle Ages

Anghiari is another picturesque town 20 minutes by car from the villa. The town is famous for the historic battle between the armies of Florence and Milan in 1440. The town hosts an annual Historical Festival (Festival Storico e Battaglia) and reminds visitors of this famous battle. The centrepiece of the city is Piazza Baldaccio, from where winding streets, lined with stone houses and palaces, and flower-filled corners run out.

The main square , Piazza Garibaldi, has a fine pizzeria, wine bar and patisserie.

Stop for a drink in the Giardini del Vicario and admire the views of the landscape below you.

If you really, really want to enjoy your meal, go to Gianni's Ristorante da Alighiero. If you wanted to lose weight on this holiday, you'd better cycle around Lago Trasimeno.

Medieval cities. The energy of times long gone.

While exploring the amazing medieval cities, you should not miss the famous places like Siena, Todi, San Gimignano, Perugia, Assisi, Montepulciano or the smaller towns that will also grab your heart - Spoleto, Pienza, Montalcino or Spelo. All these beauties are within easy driving distance.

Siena is the Queen of Tuscany

Siena boasts one of the most beautiful squares in the world - Piazza del Campo. The circular square is surrounded by historic buildings and is the venue for the famous Palio di Siena horse race every July.

Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta

Cathedral of the Assumption ( Duomo di Siena). The Sienese had ambitious plans to build a cathedral that would surpass the famous cathedral in nearby Florence. Although the plans were not quite fulfilled, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta still impresses with its Gothic style, marble facade and breathtaking frescoes.

Palio is a way of life for Siena

The Palio di Siena, the aforementioned horse race, is a passionate event that attracts visitors from all corners of the world.

Only 90 seconds.

That's how long it takes on average for unsaddled horses and riders to circle the square three times. These seconds determine the glory of the rider, the horse and the lives of ordinary citizens in Siena, Tuscany. Every year on July 2 and August 16, thousands of tourists are attracted to the Italian city.

Piazza del Campo turns into a horse racing arena

The horse race around the historic Piazza del Campo, is primarily a competition between seventeen city districts, the so-called contrade. Each contrade has its own colours, uniform, flag and inhabitants who are suitably proud of their origins. The Sienese say that as a member of a contrade, one is born and dies a member.

Palio is a great holiday for the whole city

Flags are displayed on all the houses, and residents wear them prominently as part of their clothing. The August celebrations last for four days and the race is the culmination of the celebrations.

The race is preceded by a spectacular "Corteo Storico" parade.

A crowd dressed in historical costumes wanders through the town, the flag bearers of the various districts introduce themselves and a cart drawn by oxen passes through the square. The race itself is then taken very seriously by the locals, with the rider and horse receiving a blessing in the churches of each neighbourhood before the race.

Lago Trasimeno

Cyclists will enjoy the trails along the peaceful shores of Lake Trasimeno. The slopes are dotted with olive groves and the picturesque villages and towns on the hillsides beckon to be explored.

Strade Bianche

"Strade Bianche" means "white roads" and in Tuscany this term refers to the network of paved dirt roads that run between the vineyards and olive groves of the Tuscan countryside. The name comes from the colour of the dry earth, limestone gravel and small stones of these paths during the Tuscan summer. Cycling enthusiasts love to return to the Strade Bianche. It's the ideal way to discover the Tuscan countryside by bike or on leisurely walks.

Golf in Tuscan style

Antognolla - one of the top-rated courses in Italy - is just a 25-minute drive from the villa. The beautiful scenery of the Tuscan countryside is at the heart of this 18-hole resort. Thanks to a new irrigation system, it offers exceptional playing conditions all year round.

Try this famous Italian programme

"La dolce far niente" is an Italian saying that literally means "the sweetness of doing nothing". It doesn't mean being lazy, but refers to the great feeling you can get from being idle and experiencing the present moment.