Archive for 'Tuscan Coast'

Located not far from the town of Castiglione della Pescaia, in the heart of the Maremma, there is a particularly beautiful winery called Le Mortelle. Vineyards and wineries are dotted all over the area but this particular example is especially charming and set within the most extraordinary surroundings. It is an excellent spot to go and sample and purchase some delicious Tuscan wines and learn more about wine and wine-making so, if you have found a vacation rental in the Grosetto-Maremma area and are looking to indulge in some local vintages, make sure to head to Le Mortelle.

Named after the “mortella”, or wild myrtle, that grows all over the surrounding landscape of the area, the winery is on an estate that was once part of an even larger estate called La Badiola that is recorded on the maps of Grand Duke Leopoldo II of Tuscany in the 19th century. La Badiola was a pilot version of a model of an estate that the Hapsburg Lorraine rulers of the Grand Duchy hoped to establish, in which the marshy and malaria-ridden lands of this coastal part of Tuscany would be drained and repurposed for raising cattle. This land, however, has been since reappropriated once more and the 270 hectares of the estate have been planted with 170 hectares of vineyards of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, as well as more recently planted vineyards of white grape varieties such as Vermentino, Ansonica, Viognier, and a small area of Carménère by the Antinori family.

House-museums are dotted all over the globe and there are lots of them in Italy, in particular. These are a particularly insightful and interesting breed of museum in which objects by an artist are displayed in a space in which they grew up, lived, and/or worked. Often in a childhood or final home of an artist, they celebrate the full spectrum of the life and work of an artist and are a great way to get to know more about the maker behind the pieces.

In Rome you can find the Hendrik Christian Andersen House Museum, dedicated to the life and work of the Norwegian-American 20th century artist Hendrik Christian Anderson, in Milan there is the Manzoni House Museum, dedicated to 19th century Italian writer Alessandro Manzoni, and in Possagno, the Canova Museum, which is not a former home to the artist but is where much of his living and work spaces were transported, as well as works of art, after his death. Another, more recently established house museum dedicated to an artist is Forte dei Marmi’s Ugo Guidi Museum.

One of the most celebrated Italian sculptors of the 20th century, the museum is set in Ugo Guidi’s studio and home in this beautiful Tuscan seaside city. If you are interested in Italian art and fancy a Tuscan vacation by the sea, a holiday rental in Forte dei Marmi is a great idea as it will allow you to enjoy both at the same time! With over 600 sculptures, tempera paintings, drawings, and more by the artist on display, the Ugo Guidi Museum is a fine testament to his legacy that maps out the artist’s entire life and career inside the space in which he both worked and lived.

Bolgheri is probably most famous to many as a wine area. Located in the province of Livorno, it was a long-time producer of wines but none of its makers were especially well-known. After an event organised by Decanter, in 1974 in which a 6-year-old Sassicaia won over an assortment of Bordeaux wines, the area has become much more well-regarded, though still not especially well-known internationally. However, in addition to her respected wines, Bolgheri has a lot more to offer visitors. This beautiful little town is impossibly charming and quite the looker, full of character, a foodie haven, steeped in history, and rich in culture, plus it’s only 10km from the Tuscan Coast. So, if you’re looking for a relaxed destination that has it all but is also a little off the beaten tourist track and incredibly peaceful, just find a vacation rental with a pool in the Bolgheri area and come explore all that the village has to offer for yourself.

The Tuscan Coast is less well-regarded and famous internationally than its inland counterparts, from famous cities like Pisa and Florence to its iconic rolling green hills and lines of cypresses. Yet, despite this, it is an excellent place to holiday, offering unbridled opportunity to explore. With a holiday rental on the Tuscan Coast, you can spend time discovering the different islands (each with their own unique characters), the charming and sleepy little seaside villages, the bustling promenades and bright lights of the larger resort towns, the natural wonders of the Orbetello Lagoon and the Maremma, and the absolutely picture-perfect beaches. The area in and around Monte Argentario, in particular, boasts a lot of exceptional beaches. Just find a vacation rental in Monte Argentario and come discover her many incredible beaches for yourself!

Located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, nestled between Giglio Island and the mainland Tuscan province of Grosseto, Monte Argentario was once an independent island but, around 4,000 years ago, two narrow strips of land called Isthmuses formed with water on either side and connected the north eastern and eastern side of Monte Argentario Island to the mainland, making it into the peninsula and comune that exists today.

Off the coast of Tuscany, there are a sprinkling of beautiful little islands that each have something special to offer. The island of Giglio boasts exceptional beaches and the most spectacularly blue and crystal clear waters of the Tyrrhenian sea that might make you get confused for a moment and have you thinking that you’re somewhere much further away, much more exclusive, and decidedly more tropical. All of which goes to show that you really don’t need to go further away or head to the tropics to experience perfect beaches, just find a vacation rental on the Tuscan Coast and head to Giglio Island, where you will find quite a wealth of choice and an array of beaches to choose from.

While there are lots of beaches and hidden treasures to be discovered on Giglio Island, there are, however, four main beaches that are the biggest and considered among the best. These are the beaches of Campese, Cannelle, Arenella and Caldane. All of the aforementioned beaches are pretty readily accessible from Giglio Porto, the main harbour of the island and likely the point at which you will arrive when taking a ferry to Giglio Island. Campese, Cannelle, and Arenella can be reached by car or taxi and Caldane is only accessible on foot or by boat but is just a kilometre away.