Arezzo is also the name of the province's capital city. The city of Arezzo is the setting for the 1999 Academy Award winning movie, "Life is Beautiful", directed by Roberto Benigni. The historic part of the town is predominantly medieval. There are a number of beautiful palazzi and churches to explore. Don't miss the Piazza Grande and the Duomo, which contains some spectacular stained glass. Arezzo is the place to admire the art of Piero Della Francesca. You can see the set of frescoes, known as La Leggenda della Vera Croce (The Legend of the True Cross) in the church of San Francesco.

An Arezzo vacation is a chance to shop for beautiful leather goods, glassware and crystal, handmade tassels and lace.

While on your Arezzo villa holiday try some of the bread soups, which are a local specialty, such as Ribollita or Acquacotta. Make room for the filled pastas and gnocchi, the Pappardelle fettucine, with its delicious hare sauce and the Valdarno chicken, rich with the flavour of delicious Italian tomatoes. Game, roasted meats, truffles and side dishes of seasonal vegetables feature in the Arezzo cuisine. Valdichiana is the home of a special breed of cattle, known as Chianina. The Chianti wines of the Arezzo region provide the perfect accompaniment to a flavorsome Chianina steak.

Festivals and Events in Tuscany - Arezzo
Arezzo - Antiques Fair in the Piazza Grande (first Sunday, and the Saturday before it, of each month)
Arezzo - Arezzo Festival (July)
Arezzo - Giostra del Saracino - Joust of the Saracen Knights Festival (third Sunday in June and first Sunday in September)
Arezzo - International Goldwork Show (September)
Olmo - Tuscan Wine Market and Exhibition (September)
San Sepolcro - Palio della Balestra (last Sunday in September)
Caprese a Michelangelo - Chestnut Fair (October)