Self-catering holiday homes: Val di Merse

Make a holiday rental apartment or villa in Val di Merse, Italy your home away from home

The Val di Merse runs through the countryside of the Siena Province of Tuscany. The people of the Val di Merse have historically fought hard to protect their little haven in the Italian countryside, and when you arrive, and set eyes across the lush, green hills adorned with pockets of woodland and flower strewn meadows along the banks of the River Merse, you will instantly see why. The Val di Merse has changed little over the centuries, and there are incredible sights hiding behind every wood and around every corner.

Things to do on holiday to Val di Merse, Italy

The castles and historical monuments which litter the Val di Merse make a fantastic tour. The four huge castles that dominate the landscape are well worth exploring from any self catering Val di Merse accommodation. The four castles, Frosini, Tocchi, Crevole and Capraia, are the focal point for small towns, and are very easy to investigate on your own of with an English speaking guide. If ancient legends intrigue you, there is one place that you simply must visit from a Val di Merse property rental. The Abbey of San Galgano is absolutely stunning, and probably the most beautiful ruin in the whole of Tuscany, but it is the associated legends of San Galgano and King Arthur’s sword in the stone which really excites visitors. The forests which adorn the valley hide a range of medieval villages and ruined castles, making walking in the Val di Merse a permanently exciting activity.

Holidays in a Val di Merse villa are about getting back to nature. The countryside is extraordinary, with flower strewn meadows acting as home to an incredible number of flower species, bring a rich variety of wildlife to the area too. Walking through the Val di Merse is a blissfully peaceful experience, especially if you break on a hill top for a picnic and refreshing glass of local wine. One of the most special activities to enjoy from a Val di Merse villa can be found deep in the woods. The Petriolo Hot Springs are a natural spa centre, surrounded by trees. There are even a couple of good spots to tie horses surrounding the springs if you have stumbled across them whilst on horse back.

The Val di Merse boasts 11 full cycle routes, ranging from the taxing to the relaxing. Route maps and information is readily available from the Val di Merse tourist information offices which are located in the four main centres of the Val di Merse.

Places to visit on holiday to Val di Merse, Italy

Sovicille is a village surrounded by artefacts and ruins from throughout Italian history. Signs of Etruscan, Roman and pre-historic settlements can still be seen around the area, and the Romanesque churches and ancient abbeys are filled with artistic treasures from Italian masters.

The villages of Chiusdino and Murlo are both fairly amazing hilltop villages, affording visitors stunning views out across the valley. Murlo is an ancient ‘castle village’, now famous for the Bishop’s Palace and the Val di Merse Archaeological Museum.

Weather in Val di Merse, Italy

Walking, riding and mountain biking holidays thrive in the Val di Merse from early May until late October as average monthly temperatures remain above 20˚C throughout this period. During July and August, temperatures soar, with daily peaks routinely in the mid to high 30’s (˚C), making a villa with a pool priceless.

Cheap flights to Val di Merse, Italy

A self catering Val di Merse holiday villa is just 90km from Pisa International Airport (PSA). It is well worth taking a hire car from Pisa Airport, as not only is the public transport less than extensive, but the combined freedom of a hire car and a private holiday in the Val di Merse is unsurpassed. RyanAir, EasyJet and British Airways all provide flights to Pisa from the UK.

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