Dicomano nestles in the Mugello Valley, which is remarkably tourist-free considering that it was once the destination of choice for rich and powerful Florentine families who wanted to escape the summer heat in the city. This large green valley is full of beautiful and varied countryside with forests and hills, streams, rivers and mountains. It is amazing how few tourists there are in the small villages of this valley, even in high season. One of these villages is Dicomano. There is not much to say about Dicomano as it contains no cultural treasures, but there are quiet cafés, good restaurants and enough shops to cover your daily needs. Just outside Dicomano, however, there is an interesting attraction that should not be missed: Il Forteto. Il Forteto is a large agricultural cooperative, which functions as a therapy centre for drug addicts, who here get the chance to prove their worth through hard physical labour. On the farm you can find the traditional Val di Chiana cattle, which provide the meat for a real bistecca fiorentina. Other animals include horses and sheep. Much of the farm’s produce is for sale and ranges from olive oil to charcuterie and cheese. We can warmly recommend their pecorino cheeses (their medium matured Re Nero has both a wonderful taste and an impressive shelf-life) and their strong, fruity olive oil.
