Belvedere di Prato is very well placed for visiting many of Tuscany and Umbria's best known tourist destinations, with the delights of Florence, Arezzo, Siena, Cortona, Assisi, Gubbio, Perugia and more all within easy reach.

But you'll also find plenty to do even closer to home in the local towns of Sansepolcro (the birthplace of artist Piero della Francesca), Città di Castello and Anghiari, not to mention the many medieval villages which pepper the hillsides. There are beaches and boats at Lake Trasimeno, and the wild beauty of the Casentina region is close at hand.  The Adriatic coast is accessible for a day by the sea.

In Autumn and Spring the region takes on a whole new character.  In fresher weather, sightseeing is perhaps even more pleasurable, whilst taking full advantage of the beauty of the changing seasons in the surrounding countryside.  Join in the feasts and festivals, sample the wonderful local produce in the many excellent restaurants or visit some of the antique markets and designer outlets; you'll find more than enough to see and do whatever the time of year

Just a few ideas:

• Art and Architecture:  It would be impossible to list here the vast array of artistic treasures to be found in this part of Italy.  Apart from the unrivalled riches of cities such as Florence and Siena, Belvedere itself is at the heart of the Piero della Francesca 'trail', and there are excellent galleries and museums nearby
• Music: There are many musical events in the area, with major festivals such as those in Spoleto and Florence, and the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia.  The Festival delle Nazioni chamber music concerts take place in Città di Castello at the end of the summer, and many towns and villages arrange events in churches and piazzas on summer evenings
• Sport and Fitness: Horse-riding, canoeing, fishing and hiking are available nearby.  There is golf at our local 9-hole course 5 kms away, where there is also a spa and indoor pool. The stunning Antognolla championship course is 40 minutes away.  You'll find fantastic road and off-road cycling - bicycles can be hired locally.  If the children insist on a theme park, Mirabilandia near Ravenna is good fun
• Markets: There are weekly or twice-weekly general markets in our local towns. Arezzo is famous for its huge antique market, held at the beginning of every month,  and there are smaller ones in many other towns throughout the year.
• Shopping: The towns nearby have a wide range of shops selling everything from wonderful local produce to designer handbags.  The area is famous for fabrics, pottery and lace and there are many workshops selling antiques and handmade furniture.  Prada, Gucci, Dolce & Gabanna and many other designer brands have outlets between Florence and Arezzo
• Fairs and Festivals:  Throughout the year there are countless festivals and feast days, celebrating local traditions, craftsmanship and gastronomy.  From sombre Good Friday processions to the vibrant colour of Sansepolcro's medieval Palio della Balestra or the rich aromas of the Truffle Festival in Città di Castello - there is something for everyone.