Follonica

 
   

Follonica is essentially a very pleasant and popular seaside resort, located at 40 kilometres northwest of Grosseto. Situated on the Gulf of Follonica (Golfo di Follonica), Follonica offers wonderful landscapes from Punta Ala in the south-east to Piombino in the Northwest and towards the sea, until Elba island.
Follonica is a popular tourist site during the summer, mostly visited by the Italians themselves. The city has been awarded the Bandiera Blu (Blue Flag) every year from 2000-2007 for the cleanliness of its beaches and seawater.
The imposing Chiesa di S. Leopoldo di Follonica was built in the third decade of the 19th century after a project by the well-known Florentine architect Carlo Reishammer (1806-1883). The church includes abundant elements in cast iron, like the big rose window in the façade, the apse, several pieces of the indoors furnishing, as well as the summit of the pretty bell-tower.

The name of Follonica has its origins in the word fulloni, which was the yell used in the past in the foundries set in the town. The story of the town is closely related to the iron manufacture, which was started by the Etruscan civilization.

The diverse and significant archaeological excavations made in Etruscan settlements from the 6th century BC ca., located in the areas of Rondelli and Val Petraia, reveal that the elaborated series of objects and adorns made from different metals found out belonged to populations who were ahead of their time in relation to a large part of those who were established in other areas of Etruria.
Most of those astonishing findings are currently hosted in highly interesting Archaeological Museum of Follonica.

 
   
Also in the Golf of Follonica, Torre Mozza is a beach which takes its name by the Saracen Tower watching over the wonderful dunes underneath. Torre Mozza is situated 4,5 km north from the center of Follonica.
Another exceptional excursion from Follonica is Punta Ala, only a few minutes by car taking Collacchie Road towards South direction.		    
Torre Mozza
Tuscany Beaches in Maremma | [1] From Principina a Mare to Piombino    
Tuscany Beaches in Maremma | [2] From Principina a Mare to Ansedonia

    
Monte Argentario, sun coast
Travelling through the south of Tuscany, at the very edge of Maremma and the Tuscan region, searching through enchanted beaches, crystalline sea and sunshine to spend a summer weekend, or better still, a long holiday.
Exactly in the area of the Monte Argentario lies one of the most enthralling and interesting destinations. In a continuation of beaches, pine groves, and Mediterranean bush, archaeological finds and sea bottoms to be explored, as well as various tourist ports from which to take off for archipelago tours.
An area of strong natural charm, it extends from the municipality of Talamone, where one of the two visiting centres to enter the Uccellina park is, on to Ansedonia in a continuation of sandy beaches and small inlets almost concealed by the rocky jutting of cliffs overhanging the sea, passing through the tourist ports of Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole, on the Argentario promontory .
Northwards, in the Talamone area, a part of the coast is particular fascinating, under the ancient stronghold in the Cannone beach, where a jagged and rocky coast stands out. If on the other hand you prefer the sand, the ideal alternative is that of finding the long stretch of sandy beach of the Feniglia beach, or the various inlets along the whole coast of the Argentario mountain.
Following the road that leads to the Feniglia neck you can reach the powerful Monte Argentario, connected to the coast by two very thin sandy stretches: the necks of Feniglia and Giannella. At this point all you need to do is choose where you want to enjoy some sea. From Porto Santo Stefano you can reach, less than a ferry hour away, the isola del Giglio, one of the pearls of the Tuscan archipelago, or choose between the coves and creeks of the promontory itself.
If you continue towards the south, along the statale Aurelia, you will reach Ansedonia, a small pearl set into the high and jagged coast.

Tuscany | Monte Argentario

To Elba
Tuscany with its archipelago is a terribly fascinating destination for all sea lovers. In just less than a hour, on a ferry, you can reach the islands of the archipelago and tour around uneven terrains, discover beaches and bays, villages and ancient rocks.
There is also another way to get acquainted with the natural wonders of the archipelago and particularly of the isola d'Elba, observing the island form a different point of view, directly form the immensity of the sea and thus discover new corners, enchanting beaches and mysterious coves hidden in the rocky coast.
A week by sail boat to get to know the sea and discover its secrets, recognise the winds, taste the salt scent and falling asleep with the sweet rocking of the boat. It is also a way to escape the chaos and observe well known laces with new eyes.
The Jonas Association organises for the whole summer period mini cruises around the Elba island, the largest of the seven Tuscan islands. Seven days in which to discover in cui fine sandy beaches, caves and creeks, emerald coloured water and displays of indescribable charm.
On board of a 10 meter sloop (single mast sail boat), every week on Mondays (from July to September), a new journey around the Elba island to discover the sea, but also the fascination of the small towns of the island.
The starting and arrival point is Portoferraio, where the participants to each mini cruise, upon departure, define the stages and the itineraries: in the name of fun and sea. The itinerary generally means departing from Portoferrario, and then stopping int he most beautiful places in the island: the beach in Procchio; Marciana Marina with the picturesque sea village; the fascinating sea promenade in Porto Azzurro, Cavo, Capo d'Enfola and Nisporto.

Tuscany | Tuscan Archipelago National Park

 
 
   
Perfect holiday in Tuscany
Podere Santa Pia is located in the heart of the Valle d'Ombrone, and one can easily reach some of the most beautiful attractions of Tuscany, such as Siena, Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano and San Quirico d'Orcia, famous for their artistic heritage, wine, olive oil production and gastronomic traditions. It is the ideal place to pass a very relaxing holiday in contemplation of nature, with the advantage of tasting the most typical dishes of Tuscan cuisine and its best wines.
The Tuscan Valle d'Ombrone, Val D'Orcia and Crete Senese (and in particular the area between Podere Santa Pia and Montalcino) is the most evocative and sensual part of southern Tuscany. This is the land where the DOC wines Montecucco and Brunello are produced. So, the surrounding countryside is the ideal area for an uncommon wine tour, visiting small farms producing wine and excellent extra virgin olive oil.
Not far from Cinigiano and clearly visible from Podere Santa Pia, is the famous Castle of Poggio alle Mura, also known as Villa Banfi and home to one of the most popular producers of Brunello di Montalcino D.O.C.G. wine. Set in 7100 hectares of land in the Montalcino area, Castello Banfi il Borgo is one of the most important wine producers in Tuscany.
The extreme simplicity of Tuscan cuisine is its strongest strength, as the flavours that emerge during the cooking process are vibrant and pure. A little known fact about Tuscan cuisine is that the French learned how to cook from their Tuscan counterparts when it was imported by Catherine de' Medici into the court of Henry II. The Tuscan style of cooking is richly flavoured and wholesome. The 19th Century Kitchen with open fire and wood burning pizza oven, offers an upbeat atmosphere.
If you want to spend an unforgettable holiday at Podere Santa Pia and visit these beautiful beaches, medieval castles and wineries, visit our special offers page or contact us
         
         

Banfi, Castello di Poggio alle Mura,
view from Podere Santa Pia

Castello Colle Massari,
view from Podere Santa Pia

Cypresses in the Val d'Orcia

         

   
Cala Violina
Marina di Grosseto
Scarlino
         

Bandite di Scarlino

Scarlino, a small town in the province of Grosseto, encloses in its territory the area of the Bandite di Scarlino, protected ANPIL area: Protected Natural Area of Local interest. The area includes hills and coast, over 750 hectares, which extends from the «padule» of Scarlino until the Pian d'Alma Plains south.
The coast includes sandy beaches and creeks of rare beauty, hidden by the Mediterranean bush which almost reaches the sea. From Scarlino the coast articulates with beaches made up of various sizes of pebbles, small rock banks and sandy creeks such as cala Martina or cala Violina.
The creeks can only be reached on foot, by mountain bike, on horseback or by sea. Arriving at Scarlino you need to follow the road that runs past the new tourist harbour (currently under construction), until the parking of cala Felice. Here you will find parking spaces (the last place where you can leave your car) from which the first trail by land starts. To reach it you have to follow the cement road which after 200 metres leads you to the beginning of the trail.
The itinerary leads into the Mediterranean bush, which is particularly interesting in this area, made up of an alternating of Holm oak woods among more typical Mediterranean bush made up of local pine trees, Heather, Strawberry trees, Myrtle and Guelder roses. The sea also offers a beautiful natural spectacle, on the bottom Oceanic Poseidons, and the water there are various species of fish.

A small peculiarity. Along this trail, in a small glade inside the Mediterranean bush, a statue of Garibaldi rises. Historical memory tells us that Garibaldi, after the defeat he suffered, embarked precisely in this area to escape.
Along the trail, which offers the view over the Follonica gulf, the island of Elba and the Piombino coast, there are various access ways to the sea. You need less than an hour’s walk, around three kilometres and a half to reach Cala Martina and little more than an hour, around 4 kilometres and a half, to reach the totally white sandy beach of Cala Violina. This path can be walked, or taken on horseback or on a bicycle, in fact we recommend strong caution as the trail is used by «high speed» bikers.
Another access way to this coastal part, albeit less inspiring, is the trail that starts in Pian dell'Alma, where you can leave your car in paid parking and from there reach the Cala Violina beach in a short while, and then, continuing, all the other little creeks.

Tuscany | Scarlino

 
The Maremma | Arcidosso | Campagnatico | Capalbio | Castel del Piano | Castell'Azzara | Castiglione della Pescaia | Cinigiano | Civitella | Follonica | Gavorrano - Castel di Pietra - Pia dei Tolomei | Giardino dei Tarocchi - Niki de Saint Phalle | Grosseto | Isola del Giglio | Istia d'Ombrone | Magliano in Toscana | Monticiano | Marina di Albarese | Massa Marittima | Montecristo | Montelaterone | Montemerano | Montichiello | Montenero - Montegiovi | Orvieto | Paganico | Parco naturale della Maremma | Monticello | Pitigliano | Porrona | Porto Ercole | Punta Ala | Principina a mare | Roccalbegna | Roccastrada | Rosselle | San Galgano | Saturnia | Scansano | Scarlino | Seggiano | Semproniano | Sorano | Sovana | Talamone | Vetulonia