The Tuscan coast

Most people image the only the sandy beaches of Tuscany, however when you are finished lazing around on the sunny sands you can hop a ride only a few km in from Cecina and visit some charming little towns still steeped in tradition and Tuscany atmosphere.



Tucked in far enough away from the Costa degli Etruschi to not hear the lapping waves, these little towns are placed on high hills and command incredible views of the soft hills of the Maremma. The Maremma is known for is ample area of fields of grain ---sometimes even compared to the American wide west (and used in the so called Spaghetti Westerns.)




Some other places that merit a stop on your afternoon touring the countryside, and are all within a few km of Cecina include Suvereto. This small village in the Maremma experienced its golden age during the 13th century. Wars, skirmishes, and above all the high death toll caused by the unhealthy air almost completely wiped out village life in Suvereto during the 17th and 18th centuries.




Hop in you car and go a little further to visit the town of Bólgheri. Not only with you find the Rifugio Faunistico di Bólgheri and be able to see (but not eat) boar, roe-buck, martens, black and white porcupines and the occasional otter as well as a wide selection of bird life. There is also a long road of approx. 5 km lined with cypress tress both on the right and left.


Don't expect to find fish restaurants this far away from the ocean. Tuscany is still pretty divided about their food and the hills definitely stick to a more heartier and meatier menu. You will find the classical pasta's with home made meat sauce, sometimes even specializing in wild boar or leper. Meat on the grill and oven baked potatoes are another classical dish. However in the summer everybody loves a pizza and that is true in the mountains or by the seaside.





You will definitely want to participate in the never ending Italian debate on who produces the best olive oil. And of course this area is no different than all the others and they insist it is the best so test for yourself and order a classical bruschetta with olive oil and fresh tomatoes and then let us know.




The photos on this page are photos we took of the scenery that runs inland along the Tuscan coast, and most partain to the small quaint town of Casale only minutes away from Cecina. but you can reach all of the towns mentioned with a short drive and less than 40km.

Castello di Pierle near Cortona

Found on a winding road just south of Cortona, the ruins of this castle make an interesting side trip along the way to Lago Trasimeno. Many consider what is left of Castello di Pierle to be one of the most beautiful and mighty examples of a feudal castle in Tuscany. As you make one of the last of the curves you will catch glimpses of this dominant structure among the green valley.


To simply imagine the grandeur of such a castle with external walls that are almost 2 meters thick and the castle itself rising to almost 5 floors, this impressive record of history stands as it did almost 500 years ago. Its position and the lack of local interest has left it to sit in history almost as it was built. Inside, one can admire the circumference of the walls from 5 to 8 metres (16 to 26 ft) high, the three imposing towers, only one of which today is still almost integral, and the residential keep-palace.


The castle existed already in X the century and was property of the marquises of the Saint Mount Maria Tiberina. In 1428 there is a contract of sale by the Republic of Florence and payment of 1200 fiorini of gold when it became free of Cortona. However that wasn´t enough to save the Rocca, and it was voluntarily destroyed by the Gran Duca so that outlaws would not take refuge here.

Montalcino Tuscany

Montalcino, 37km south of Siena es a classic Tuscan hill town set within a full circuit of walls and watched over by a castle of almost fairytale perfection. A quite, immediately likable place affluent in an unshowy way. It is scarcely changed in apparence since the sixteenth century. It looks wonderful from below, its walls barely sullied by any modern building, and once up in the town the rolling hills, vineyards, orchards, olive groves and ancient oaks look equally lovely in turn, that's Tuscany. Montalcino make an excellent base for much southern Tuscany, lying within easy striking distance of the abbeys of Monte Oliveto and Sant' Antimo.

Accommodation is severely limited and it's wise to book ahead at almost any time of year. There is only handful hotels, though if you have transport you could try same place in the countryside nearby. Sampling Montalcino Tuscany' s wine is easily done. Apart from the "enoteca" in the Rocca and the "Fiaschetteria Italiana" which has a superb cantina at the back there are half a dozen cheaper cafe-bars with god stocks, for example "Bar Mariuccia"with breathtaking views from the terrace.

Montalcino like most of the towns in Tuscany is remarkably blessed with good restaurants and you will be hard pushed to have a bad mealin any of them, If you want a slice of Pizza to take away head for Petto Pizza a tiny place on Piazza Garibaldi.

During the summer in the Fortezza take place, Montalcino Jazz and Wine and the funny Festa Dell Unita a ten day festival, organized by the former communist party in the pine wood above the town. Live music most nights, cheap food and wine and usually a lot of fun.