tuscany maremma - tuscany seaside accommodation

Maremma

The Beautiful Maremma: Your Tuscany’s Best Beaches, Archeology and Organic Farmland

The Maremma is one of the last great gems of Tuscany that is still relatively undiscovered. Encompassing the rolling farmland and pristine beaches of the southwestern Tuscan seacoast, the serene villages of the Maremma are a far cry from the overcrowded beach towns and industrial centers of northern Tuscany. If you love fine wine, isolated white beaches, organic farm-fresh cuisine and most of all tranquility, then you’ll fall in love with the Maremma and all that it has to offer.

History
The ancient Roman road known as the Via Aurelia stretches along the eastern border of the Maremma and hints at the region’s illustrious past. Saturnia, a village south of Grosseto near Tuscany’s border with Lazio, is home to a collection of sulfurous thermal springs that the Romans and, later, the Medici revered for their curative properties. A luxurious spa complex has been built around these healing waters, but those who enjoy the great outdoors can take advantage of the natural pools along the side of the road free of charge.

Earlier than even the Romans were the Etruscans, who first settled the fertile soils of the Maremma region. The ancient citadel of Tarquinia is just south of the Lazio confines, the settlement of Volterra is to the north; the captivating archaeological excavations of both villages can easily be visited as a daytrip from any holiday rental in the Maremma.

The Strada della Regina was once the road that connected the seacoast to the Via Aurelia. Along this road is the Abbey of San Rabano, dating back to the 12th century. Torre del Castelmarino and Collelungo, the famous medieval towers that surround Benedictine settlement, were originally constructed to observe the seacoast and spot the arrival of rival Saracen ships and alert the townspeople to impending danger. The warring cities of Pisa and Siena fought over San Rabano during the 14th century, and it was completely refurbished by the powerful Medici family in the 16th century in an effort to restore the ancient Tuscan coastal ports. These towers are just a few of the landmarks found in the epic Maremma nature preserve.

Recreation
Golf enthusiasts will enjoy the 9-hole course at the Golf Club Maremmello and especially the famed 18-hole Punta Ala golf course. Maremma hosts some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy and without a doubt the finest in Tuscany, above all around the promontory of the Argentario peninsula. The Argentario is home to Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole, both favorite stomping grounds of the Italian jet set known for their pristine stretches of white sand coastline. The sea is generally warm enough to swim in from mid May to October.

Guests may choose to rent a boat and visit the nearby Isola del Giglio, an island located just 11 miles from the Argentario in the heart of the Tyrrhenian Sea. This stunning getaway hosts a myriad of rare flora and fauna, and is also an underwater paradise for snorkeling and scuba diving. The 28 kilometers of coastline encompassing this charming island vary from rocky granite to smooth sandy beaches and the emerald waters are a haven for many breeds of fish. Over ninety percent of the island is uninhabited and the majority of roads are closed to motor traffic, promising a tranquil refuge in the summer months.

Food
The Maremma’s most famous export may be the award-winning red wine Morellino di Scansano, but Italians all over also recognize this region for its high-quality organic food. Free-range cattle produce some of the choicest beef, and the farm-fresh produce varies with each s