Arezzo[1] is a city in Tuscany, Italy that was an important Etruscan town. It was known to the Romans as Arretium. Arezzo was made in the 11th cent. a free commune, siding with the Ghibellines. Arezzo is also famous for Guido d'Arezzo, the Medieval abbot who originated solfeggio (the mnemonic music system known to many from the song in The Sound of Music that starts "Doe, a deer").
Nowadays, it is an agricultural trade center and has machine, clothing, gold, and jewelry industries and is also a tourist center.
Arezzo's historic old town is small enough to explore on foot. If you have a rental car, you can park in one of the municipal lots for under €10 for the entire day, then walk up into the historic centre. WARNING: Arezzo is atop a steep incline, and you will feel as though you are walking uphill pretty much everywhere. Wear comfortable shoes.
ATAM [4] runs the city bus service (there is also a "Centro Storico" line that covers the historic old town).
The taxi service is efficient and not too expensive.
Casa del Petrarca Only open if you knock and ask nicely if you can come in; this is the home of famous Italian medieval poet Petrarch. Hours vary depending on the mood of the proprietor, but it is totally worth it.
La Vita è Bella Roberto Begnini's Academy Award-winning film was shot here in Arezzo, and as you proceed through the city centre, you will see colorful signs featuring pictures from the film at the specific locations of actual filming. Spend at least an hour wandering from sign to sign.
The Antiques Fair[6] that occupies Piazza Grande and many of the streets leading to it, with an array of some 500 stalls by which is fun to browse though. Arriving by car it's best to leave it in the Pietri free parking lot and go up to the Duomo on the escalator.
Dates: Takes place on the first Sunday and the Saturday preceding it of every month.
Not being a big touristic city like Firenze it is most recommended to stroll in the charming old city center along the small alleys and enjoy its quiet streets. a good panoramic view of the city can be seen from the tower of "Palazzo dei Priori" in Piazza della Libertà, or walking through the "Il Prato" park up to the Medicea fortress.
Arezzo is home to an annual medieval festival called the Joust of the Saracens (Giostra del Saracino). In this, "knights" on horseback representing different areas of the town charge at a wooden target attached to a carving of a Saracen king and score points according to accuracy. Virtually all the town's people dress-up in medieval costume and enthusiastically cheer on the competitors.
Dates: The third Sunday of June and on the first Sunday of September.
Arezzo was also home to an annual popular music and culture festival, each July, called ArezzoWave[7]. Publicly funded, it attracted bands of high repute and attendees from all over Europe and North America. It also featured literary and film expositions. From summer 2007 Arezzo Wave moved to the outskirts of Florence, where it is now known as ItaliaWave.
The Arezzo Festival[8] - an annual summer theatre festival that brings together emerging professional and university-based performance groups from all over the world.
Arezzo is famous for its cuisine too. The most famous dishes of Arezzo are Acquacotta, a bread soup made with porcini mushrooms and Ribollita, a bread soup made with many different vegetables. But you can also taste the wonderful ChianinaSteak and all sorts of pastas. Arezzo's wines are also very much appreciated all around the world.
Restaurants:
La Taverna del Pittore, via Vittorio Veneto 72, ☎ +39-0575-908050. 19:00-23:00. € 15-30. edit
Il Saraceno, Via Mazzini 6 (Just east of the Corso d'Italia in the old town), ☎ 0575 27644, [9]. Great place featuring local Aretine and Tuscan favorites. Good selection of wines. Lots of locals, not so many tourists. edit
Trattoria del Leone, Piazza del Popolo 11, ☎ 0575357927, [10]. This restaurant offers high-quality modern adaptations of traditional favorites with aplomb.Menus for 25 or €20 or order a la carte. edit
Il Boccon del Re, Via Carvour 42, ☎ 0575 22542, [11]. Just off the Piazza San Francesco this place offers a menu of Tuscan fare and pizzas. Try the Pici or anything with a truffle sauce.edit
Enoteca Charleston, Via della Chimera 121 (Just outside the old-town), [13]. 06:00-20:30. An enoteca run by the Mearini family with good selection of wines in eastern Tuscany. Let Stefano or Paolo help you find a bottle - something for dinner or that special occasion - or enjoy wines by the glass. Open for coffee and pastries at breakfast time.edit
Terra di Piero, Piazza San Francesco 3 (Right next to the Basilica San Francesco), ☎ 0575 333182, [14]. A very small wine bar with a selection of wines by the glass that change daily and a wider selection of bottles. They also have an assortment of items in a deli case in case you want some antipasti.edit
il paradisino, delle paniere, Tel. +39-348-6412433, Fax +39-0575-295567. Rates: Double €50-60.
Hotel Continentale[15], Piazza Guido Monaco n.7, Tel. +39.0575.20251 - Fax. +39.0575.350485. email:prenotazioni@hotelcontinentale.com. Operating for more than 50 years. Elegant atmosphere with professional and qualified staff, recently renovated, both outside and inside. The hotel has 73 rooms, three suites, three conference rooms, elegant and spacious living rooms, a lobby bar and a wide breakfast room.
Farm Holidays in Tuscany Il Pino[16], Tel. +39 055 9703807 Fax +39 055 9194021 E-mail mail@ilpino.com Farmhouse in Tuscany and organic farming, production of wine, olive oil.
Agriturismo Casafredda[17], +39 0575 320674 - Email: info@casafredda.com - 5 minutes drive from Arezzo medieval city walls, Casafredda offers high quality accommodation, great comfort, and a very friendly service; WiFi, swimming pool, private parking available on site.
Hotel & Apartment Villa Cassia Di Baccano, Via Setteponti Levante, 132. Tel. +39-055-9772310, Fax +39-055-9772898, email: info@villacassiadibaccano.it. Single €113-180, Double €157-260, Triple €171-290, Quadriple (2 bathrooms) €190-330.
Relais Villa I Bossi B&B[18], Tel. +39 0575 365642 Fax +39 0575 964900 E-mail franvig@ats.it Bed and Breakfast in Tuscany, in a relais with a beautiful and quiet Italian-style gardens with two swimming pool.
