In bici! By bike along the Sentiero della Bonifica

Long ago, the small river Clanis flowed into the Tiber. Around the 11th century, it began to silt up, causing the water to pool in the valley and turn into a swamp. The result: it became a breeding ground for malaria mosquitoes. The only solution was to drain the area ('bonificare', hence the name). Countless engineers, agronomists, and architects tackled the problem and devised a central drainage channel, the Canale Maestro. This canal now flows into the nearby Arno.

Dutch

Cycling along the Canale Maestro is like a journey through time. For here lies the heart of Etruscan civilization. The road leads past centuries-old city walls and necropolises such as Cortona and Castiglion Fiorentino. In the former, a Tabula Cortonensis dating from the 3rd century has been preserved: a contract of sale for lands between families from the region. In Castiglion Fiorentino, enormous sandstone blocks can be admired. They were used to build the city walls. Somewhat more recent history can also be found there: the Roman Ponte a Buriano is in all likelihood the bridge that Leonardo da Vinci used in the background of his Mona Lisa. 

Gastronomy

Nature lovers will also get their money's worth during a bike ride along the Sentiero della Bonifica. Various species of herons and ducks can be found around the lakes of Chiusi and Montepulciano. The path winds past poplars and willows, and apart from the sound of the birds, it is remarkably quiet. The Oasi LPU also offers various viewpoints, and it is possible to take a boat trip in search of special birds. 

Val di Chiana, easily accessible