Make a holiday rental home or condo in Asciano, Italy your home away from home
Asciano, just southeast of Siena in the heart of the Crete Senese, is a small rural hamlet in the beautiful Tuscan hills. The town was originally built in its current form during the medieval period, but ancient settlements by the Etruscans and Romans provide the area with an even richer and more diverse cultural heritage. Asciano offers the perfect getaway for families and couples looking to escape the city life, with many beautiful and isolated farmhouses and villas around the village.
Things to do in Asciano, Italy
Visitors to Asciano can explore the village on foot, where there are a number of historical sights of interest including the 11th century Sant’Agata basilica and its 13th century campanile.
Art lovers will also enjoy a trip to the Museo d’Arte Sacra, which holds numerous works by 13th and 14th century artists. The town’s Museo Archeologico is also worth a visit.
After a morning strolling around the village, visitors should then visit one of the local cafes to sample one of Italy’s two famous beverages – wine or coffee, or maybe both. If this hasn’t tired you out, the surrounding hills offer some spectacular views and are also worth exploring on foot or bicycle.
Places to visit on holiday in Asciano, Italy
A short drive to the south of Asciano is the Benedictine monastery of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, founded in the 14th century and now holding some notable frescoes detailing the legends of St. Benedictine.
One of Asciano’s neighbouring communes which is also definitely worth a day trip to is San Giovanni d’Asso, which is dominated by the magnificent castle. Those with a sweet tooth will also be interested to find that the castle is also home to the tartufo museum, a type of delicious local ice-cream.
Asciano is situated only around 29km from the town of Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with several things for tourists to see. The main attraction is the Duomo, a beautiful 12th century cathedral which houses some great examples of Gothic architecture inside as well as the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo which features many works by Sienese master painters. Other points of interest around the town include the Piazza del Campo, the Torre del Mangia and the botanical gardens.
Weather in Asciano, Italy
As with most of Tuscany, Asciano provides a beautiful summer destination, with temperatures peaking at over 30C in July and August. The temperature remains mild even in the winter months though, and Asciano can make a pleasant winter getaway, raining on only around 1 in 3 days during January to March.
Flights to Asciano, Italy
The nearest airport to Asciano is Florence (FLR), although UK visitors will find a greater selection of flights into Pisa airport (PSA), which is served by several budget airlines. Hiring a car then provides the easiest way for holidaymakers to get to their self-catering accommodation in Asciano, as the village is 217km from the airport. The use of a car will also be a real bonus during any visit to the region given the rural nature of the area.