Tuscany
Day 2 – As the Italian say/call Grubby Grossetto which I must say is not how it is a great city with lots to offer and just beyond is a lovely beach for a quick soak and local bite to eat – spend a day or 2.
Day 3 – Punta Ala - hidden gem of the beaches along the coast, luxury, small marina and fine local places to dine along the beachfront – fab ice-cream (gelatine) and cobbled streets, would defiantly recommend staying here.
Day 4 - Monte Argentario is a peninsula connected to the Maremma region by three strips of land, passageways that enable easy access to the island of Giglio, Giannutri and Montecristo, all islands in the Tuscan Archipelago – today we spent half day on the beach and then headed into the town of Porto Santo Stefano which is a charming destination with an impressive seafaring tradition as well as being the most important town in the Monte Argentario area. The town, north of the headland, occupies the picturesque bay dominated by the Spanish Fortress, with open fish markets and plenty of places to eat and drink.
Day 5 – Montepulciano and Montalcino both wonderful places to visit and sample some fine wine, great walk under the city to how they house the wine and long before this was used to escape/passages from intruders and used for torture. Pretty places and small cobbled streets to take time over lunch or grab a morning coffee sat enjoying the views of the mountains.
Day 6 – Saturnian, Sovana, Sorano & Pigliagona – having a morning of enjoying the thermal spa’s and rejuvenating the skin! Then taking in the 18th century picturesque towns along the way with a little afternoon sampling the local the pizza!
Day 7 – rest day after having a very enjoyable week visiting lots of many hidden gems, towns and UNSCEO regions.
Day 8 – Pimbino – Ferry port for other islands
Day 11 – Siena lovely city with lots of arts, culture and roman, wonderful evening spent leisurely people watching sat on the Palazzo publico/Piazza del campo – the hotel was a pleasant walk down into the main square with lots of places to eat and drink.
Day 12 – San Gimignano pedestrianized hill town this is UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE site, medieval manhattans wealth = 14 still spike its skyline. Wonderful day and evening spent staying at the Relais Santa Chaira which was approx. 5/10min walk to the centre and once within the walls everything is very close by, best gelatine in world they say is produced here and tasted fantastic.
Day 13 – Volterra is a small medieval town, it still remains with Roman baths and a theatre are best seen from the viewing point here, great small town with some wonderful, quaint coffee shops and grab a panini before heading off to the chianti wine region.
Day 14 –Pisa for the leaning tower a must see and if you fancy a day looking around Pisa I would suggest half a day to enjoy and then head out of town as not much else to see or do, much more in Florence and surrounding area’s
Day 15 – Roselle this is the only fully excavated Etruscan town in Tuscany, the remains of the Etruscan walls and houses lie next to the roman Amphitheatre and baths, you can walk around the grounds and read all about the history, well worth a visit – followed by heading into Grosseto to visit the remains housed in the museum and then a bite to eat. Few little villages visited on the way back to the villa
Day 16 – Beach day followed by a visit to Port Ecrole for a little bite to eat, small fishing town again a hidden gem away for the tourist/s
Day 17 – Florence
Day 18 – Last day to take in the views and hospitality.
Home time and I must say it’s been a pleasure Tuscany and we will be back