Arezzo

Set in the middle of four beautiful valleys -- Val Tiberina, Casentino, Valdarno and Valdichiana, this small artistic city is surrounded by century-old trees and Romanesque parishes.  Works of art, pastures and woodland and exquisite landscapes nestle in between ancient monastic settlements.  Although much of its medieval center was destroyed during WW2, the city has preserved some of its treasures like the frescoes of Piero della Francesca in the church of San Francesco, the Pieve di Santa Maria with one of the most ornate Romanesque facades in the area.

One of Tuscany's wealthiest cities, Arezzo built a thriving industry through the jewelers and goldsmiths so that today it houses the world's largest gold manufacturing plant and one of the biggest jewelry industries in Europe. Second to jewelry is furniture making and marketing antiques.

The birthplace of many artists and writers such as Petrarca, Aretino, and Vasari, this small city attracts many tourists to its wonderful works of art and preserved medieval structure of deep artistic and historical value and to its authentic charm, having even caught the attention of Italian cinematographer Roberto Benigni who has made many films here, including "La Vita e Bella" (Life Is Beautiful).

On the first weekend of each month the main square, Piazza Grande, becomes an enormous antique shop.