Monte Amiata is a strikingly beautiful mountain region north east of Capalbio, with large, wild, rocky forests of beech, spruce, and chestnut trees, and with miles of hiking trails, nature walks, and bike paths. Amiata itself is an extinct volcano, one of the largest in Europe, and was considered a sacred site by the Etruscans and the home of their most important god, Tinia.

Five villages ring the region, poor but proud, with their own customs, distinct cuisine, and fascinating history. Abbadia San Salvatore was founded by the Lombards, and its fortified Benedictine monastery was an important regional power controlling much of the region for centuries. Arcidosso was founded in the 9th century and ruled by the Aldobrandeschi who built an imposing fort from where they battled the meddlesome armies of Siena, and Radicofani and its castle was the site of numerous battles for centuries, including a famous slaughter in July 1300, when hundreds died and the commanders of both the Siena and Orvieto regiments were killed. The forests are lovely.