A world of possibilities
per le tue escursioni in vacanza

The Etruscan Coast is a place where the colours, scents and scenery of mainland Tuscany and the Mediterranean Sea merge.

Distance: Near the campsite

It includes a large stretch of the Tuscan coast, stretching from Livorno to Piombino, and four inland municipalities, namely Collesalvetti, Sassetta, Suvereto and Campiglia Marittima.

The name Costa degli Etruschi is due to the presence of the Etruscan people in these lands, who inhabited them from the 9th century B.C. onwards, as demonstrated by the numerous Etruscan necropolises still visible today.

The Etruscan necropolises are found mainly between the Gulf of Baratti and Populonia, where the Archaeological Park is located. The Archaeological Park of Baratti and Populonia contains the most important evidence of the colonisation of these lands by the Etruscans.

The jewel in the crown of the Archaeological Park is the marvellous monumental necropolis of Populonia Alta, the only Etruscan village built in front of the sea. Populonia Alta stands on a hilltop overlooking the picturesque village of Baratti.

To make this land of Tuscany unique, Etruscan settlements are flanked by medieval villages, nature parks and a splendid sea.

The medieval villages, nestling in the hills but only a few kilometres from the sea, are intact in their original architecture and rich in evidence of the past.

Nature preserves unspoilt botanical oases, woods, pine forests, countryside dotted with vineyards (the Wine Route is famous) and olive groves: a rich and ever-changing landscape, home to two Nature Parks: the Rimigliano Coastal Park and the Sterpaia Coastal Park (Val di Cornia Parks).

And finally the sea, hemmed in by long sandy beaches bordered by pine forests and windswept cliffs.

For some years now, in June, the main towns along the Costa degli Etruschi have celebrated the beginning of summer with a special Blue Night, in which tourists are involved in a succession of shows, concerts and cultural and food and wine events.

Florence, capital of the Tuscan region, is one of the most famous cities of art in Italy.

Distance: 110 km from the campsite
It reached splendour in the Middle Ages, also thanks to the efforts of the ruling Medici family. Rich in artistic and cultural heritage, the city of Florence is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A renowned university centre, the city is home to numerous museums and palaces of interest. Among the most famous are the Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi, the Duomo, the basilica of Santa Croce and Palazzo Pitti.

Florence is home to large green spaces: public parks where you can relax and enjoy the open air. There are many libraries and sports centres.

Siena, whose historic centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, is a magical city, famous throughout the world.

Distance: 90 km from the campsite

It could not be otherwise, given its beauty and particularity.

First of all, Piazza del Campo, considered one of the most beautiful squares ever. It is the centre of Siena, a jewel that must be seen. It has a peculiar nine-segment shell shape, which, to be appreciated, must be admired from above, climbing the impressive Torre del Mangia of the Palazzo Pubblico, one of the tallest and oldest towers in Italy, perfectly preserved. The tower is named after the first custodian who, according to tradition, spent all his savings eating in the taverns of Siena.

A magnificent view of the city and surrounding countryside can be enjoyed from the Torre del mangia.

At the other end of the square is the monumental Fonte Gaia, an important water fountain copy of the one Jacopo della Quercia sculpted in the early 1400s.

A tourist ritual is to sit or lie on the ground and admire the piece of sky above the square.

Many other important architectures line the square, including the Palazzo Comunale, made of red brick and white marble, inside which is the Museo Civico, which protects many masterpieces by Sienese artists, including Simone Martini and Ambrogio Lorenzetti.

The Duomo di Siena is a must-see. One usually arrives there after visiting Piazza del Campo and, still having its splendour in one’s eyes, one does not expect to be amazed again. But you are wrong. Not to be missed are the façade with its characteristic black and white stripes; the marble floor, full of esoteric and religious symbols; the Piccolomini Library, frescoed by Pinturicchio; the Piccolomini Chapel, on which Michelangelo worked for three years; the octagonal Pulpit by Nicola Pisano.

Next to the cathedral is the Baptistery with its hexagonal baptismal font, on which Donatello also worked.

Another stop not to be missed is the Museo Civico, which contains many important works, including Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s famous Allegoria del Buono e del Cattivo Governo (Allegory of Good and Bad Government), the first pictorial cycle with a predominantly civil rather than religious theme. Another great protagonist is La Maestà, which the Government of the Nine entrusted to Simone Martini as a sign of devotion to the Virgin.

Siena also offers many typical restaurants where you can enjoy the tasty Sienese cuisine. In small restaurants and osterias, you can order wild boar (the famous Cinta Senese), pappardelle with hare, crostini with liver, tasty soups such as La Ribollita, and sweets such as cantucci and ricciarelli. All strictly accompanied by a good glass of wine.

One cannot talk about Siena without mentioning the famous Palio, which takes place every year on two dates, 2 July and 16 August, and in which the seventeen Sienese contrade compete in a passionate horse race in the Piazza del Campo. The Palio is certainly much more than a simple event for the Sienese, who experience it all year round with great enthusiasm.

Located in the province of Pisa, Volterra gives us many examples of Etruscan, Romanesque and medieval architecture.

Distance:32 km from the campsite

A magical place, surrounded by a wall of Etruscan origin that was revised in medieval times.

Among the most famous constructions is the Fortezza Medicea, consisting of two buildings, one of which was commissioned by Lorenzo de’ Medici himself. In Volterra, it is also possible to visit museums and theatres, but also to participate in the many events and cultural manifestations that are organised throughout the year.

Located in the province of Pisa, Volterra gives us many examples of Etruscan, Romanesque and medieval architecture.

Distance: 53 km from the campsite

San Gimignano, a municipality in the province of Siena, has a fascinating historic centre that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

An outstanding example of medieval architecture, the city is famous for its towers that still stand tall after centuries.

Suffice it to say that, to this day, more than 10 of these are still intact to the delight of visitors who are fascinated by what is called the Manhattan of the Middle Ages.

In San Gimignano we also find churches, sanctuaries, abbeys and fine palaces. And then there is the Castelvecchio Nature Reserve, a few kilometres from the town, where you can admire the remains of the ancient stronghold.

The city of Lucca is one of the jewels of Tuscany.

Distance: 70 km from the campsite

Rich in artistic beauty and surrounded by an evocative atmosphere.

The historical centre of Lucca is composed of a maze of narrow, narrow streets, typical of the medieval age, of which it is one of the best preserved, and surrounded by the 16th-century walls that are still intact.

Its artistic and architectural heritage is flourishing: it includes numerous churches, palaces, towers, gardens and squares.

A visit to the city can begin with a walk on the Walls, which are the true symbol of the city and are recognised worldwide for their uniqueness.

From the walls, two beautiful towers stand out above the roofs of the houses: the Guinici Tower, the famous ‘tree tower’ dating back to 1330, and the Tower of the Hours.

The city of Lucca is nicknamed The City of a Hundred Churches, due to the large number of religious buildings from the most diverse eras within the Walls.

The Cathedral of Lucca, also known as the Cathedral of San Martino, founded in 1100 and subsequently remodelled, is a mixture of medieval and Renaissance architectural beauty. It contains true masterpieces of art, including works by Nicola Pisano and Tintoretto.

The Church of San Michele in Fiore is located in the heart of the old town and overlooks the square of the same name. Due to its central location, it is considered a landmark of the city.

The heart of Lucca’s commercial and artisan activity, Via Fillungo skilfully combines the ancient and the modern. It is perfect for shopping, but also offers visitors a glimpse into the ‘ancient crafts’, given the perfectly preserved and functional goldsmiths’ and leather goods shops of yesteryear.

Also worth seeing is the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro or Piazza del Mercato, where an ancient Roman forum once stood. The square, full of taverns and workshops of local artists, is also home to the traditional flower market, which fills the square with colours and scents on the occasion of the Patron’s Day, 27 April.

Also not to be missed is a visit to Piazza Napoleone, also known as Piazza Grande, which was redesigned in honour of Bonaparte. Its spacious and elegant setting and the institutions that stand there make Piazza Napoleone another of the city’s nerve centres.

The various stately palaces contain important museums and galleries. For example, Palazzo Mansi, houses the National Picture Gallery collection.

Lucca hosts events and festivals of national and international scope.

Such as the Lucca Film festival, a film review lasting over a week, and LuccAutori, a prestigious literary review offering space to many well-known names in literature.

And, most famously, Lucca Comics & Games, a fair dedicated to the world of comics, games (video games and role-playing, board and cart games) and fantasy imagery. Lucca Comics is considered the most important Italian exhibition in the sector, the second in Europe and the third in the world.

Pisa is a city rich in artistic and cultural excellence.

Distance: 50 km from the campsite

Tuscan province part of the region’s industrial triangle, again, UNESCO has decided to reward it by identifying some sites as World Heritage Sites.

Among them is the so-called Piazza dei Miracoli, with its white marble Cathedral and the famous Leaning Tower.

Perfectly preserved examples of Romanesque architecture in the heart of the city.

Also worth seeing are Pisa’s many bridges and green areas: perfect locations for discovering the city.