Rental Villa in Italy to rent - holiday lettings

Near Faeto it's possible discover some villages and small cities such as :

SAN GIUSTINO VALDARNO ( 5 Km from Faeto)
Bank, Shops, Market, Pubs, Pizzerias, Tennis Court Its origins date the 12th century, when the parish church, which earlier used be located in short distance away, was rebuilt on the present site, along the Old Via Cassia in direction of Gropina, over Baccano.
Documentation has been available on San Giustino a Cabiano since 1011.

In the new parish church in 1273 there was a meeting of the syndics of the monasteries of Santa Fiora, Capolona, Il Sasso, and Le Alpe di Santa Trinità, present several petitions to the Bishop of Arezzo. Numerous suffragan churches were subordinate to the parish church.
The church, together with the priest's house that leans against it to the left, faces onto a small square. Inside, there are three naves divided by pillars, except in correspondence with the presbytery, where there are two circular columns with sculpted capitals. Two architrave doors, reinforced with a stone arch, open on the wall of the right nave.
The Festa del perdono [Pardon Festival] is celebrated annually at San Giustino, on the third Sunday in July. Also active are goldsmith and ceramics artisan workshops, as well as agricultural estates, which sell their products directly.

TERRANOVA BRACCIOLINI (15 Km from Faeto)
Bank, Shops, Super Market, Pubs, Pizzerias, Swimming Pool, Cinemas, Post Office, Horse rental, Tennis Court, Tourist information bureau
Terranuova Bracciolini was built from the Florentine in 1337, has retained its antique walls and towers.
But the whole Valdarno valley is unique and picturesque: the industrial development, restricted in particular areas, has left untouched the landscape and the artistic heritage of the Valdarno.

MONTEVARCHI ( 18 Km from Faeto)
Bank, Shops, Super Market, Pubs, Pizzerias, Swimming Pool, Ipercoop (big mall), Cinemas, Post Office, Tourist information bureau, Train station ( train to Florence 45 min and Arezzo 30 min - every hour).
Montevarchi originated in the 13th century as a market place for antique castle of Bourbon Del Monte, located on a hill overlooking the city which is currently the site of the Cappuccini Convent.

While touring the city it is still possible to peek out features of the old city walls and the porta (gate) del Mulino, one of the antique entrances of the castle.
Located in the heart of the city at Piazza Varchi seats the Collegiata di San Lorenzo with its 18th century facade. Of Romanesque origins (late 12th century), the building was restored in the early 18th century. The interior contains 17th century paintings by Giovanni Balducci, Carlo Maratta e Matteo Rosselli. Above the altar are found a 15th bust of Madonna with Baby in multicoloured terracotta.
Museums:
Sacral Art Museum Piazza Varchi - tel. 055/980468 tue - thu - sat 10.00/12.00 free entrance
Paleonthologic Museum - via Poggio Bracciolini 38 - tel 055/981227 every day 9.00/12.30 16.00/18.00 (€ 2,58)

SAN GIOVANNI VALDARNO ( 18 Km from Faeto)
Bank, Shops, Super Market, Pubs, Pizzerias, Swimming Pool, Cinemas, Post Office, Tennis Court, Tourist information bureau, Train station ( train to Florence 40 min and Arezzo 35 min - every hour)

Lying on a broad plain on the valley floor the present-day San giovanni Valdarno was founded toward the end of 13th century (between 1296 and 1300) as Castle San Giovanni and was the first of the "terre nuove" (new lands) established by Florence counter the threats of the powerful feudal families (the Pazzi's, Ubertini's, and Ricasoli's) in the territory. Originally surrounded by a wall with four gates, the medieval city defended Florentine interests in Valdarno in many occasions.

The year 1401 was particularly significant as it marked the birth of the great MASACCIO.
The city plan, which Vasari attributed to the celebrated Florentine architect Arnolfo Di Cambio, was designed with sense and symmetry.

The main road runs north - south along the central axis of the city, forming in the centre two piazzas (Piazza Cavour and Piazza Masaccio ) with a series of secondary roads running parallel and at right angles to the main road.
In the centre of the city there are many important palace and churchies:
The Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie (1484) build to celebrate the miracle of "Monna Tancia", the legend of an elderly woman, who, with the assistance of Madonna,

miraculously breast fed her infant grandson after he had lost both parents to the plague of 1479 inside the Basilica it's possible to appreciate painting of Giovanni della Robbia, Giovanni Mannozzi (better known as Giovanni da San Giovanni) Giuseppe Niccolò Masini, l'Uberto da Montevarchi (who as illustrated the miracle of Monna Tancia ) and many more.
The Church of San Lorenzo (1300) Romanesque structure.
The Pieve di San Giovanni Battista (1300) 14th/15th century frescoes.
The late Baroque church of the Santissima Annunziata (1460).
Museums:
Basilica Santa Maria delle Grazie
Masaccio House
Arnolfo Palace