Holidays in Tuscany: a dream tour on the Etruscan Coast

I just got back from a vacation along the Tuscan coast and I cannot help but tell you all about the magic of these places. Gentle hills caressed by sea winds, enchanting villages sung by poets, alleys and squares between shops and wineries. A fairytale setting for a totally relaxing holiday in Tuscany. Crafts, history, food and wine, and nature come together along the Etruscan Coast to delight all five senses.

 

Here are my tips for the best holidays along the Tuscan coast.

Marina di Castagneto Carducci: holiday in Tuscany

Blue sea, fine golden beach, and pine forests scented with resin. A holiday along the Tuscan coast can only be Marina di Castagneto Carducci. To fully enjoy the regenerating beauty of this place I recommend the Hotel Tombolo Talasso, with a perfect location just 200 meters from the sea, and the Blue Flag beach. The charm of the location surrounded by nature is combined with the relaxation of the splendid outdoor swimming pool and the thalassotherapy pools – inside an extraordinary Grotto. Impossible not to be conquered. After a relaxing day at the beach, I suggest you visit the surrounding villages, for an aperitif or dinner, and also for some afternoon shopping in the small shops. Without forgetting the food and wine tours along the wine routes, and the events in famous local wineries.

Bolgheri: the real pearl of the Tuscan coast

Be it for the Viale dei Cipressi honored by Giosuè Carducci with the poem “In front of San Guido”, be it for the Castello dei Conti della Gherardesca, or simply for the charm of the place. What is certain is that Bolgheri is the most famous village on the Tuscan coast and a quick glance is enough to understand why. The stone houses of the historic center, adorned with flowers, the restaurants overlooking the alleys, the craftsmen’s shops are just some of its beauties. Let yourself be inebriated by the atmosphere and also by the exquisite local wine on this first stop of your holiday along the Tuscan coast.

Bolgheri Tips:

• Visit the Church of Saints James and St. Christopher in Piazza Teresa.
• Go shopping in the Villa Toscana boutique to buy a nice batik sarong, a hat or a straw bag to show off during your holiday in Tuscany.
• Buy a fragrance or a soap from the Cipressi line in the Acqua di Bolgheri boutique, for a gift or a characteristic souvenir.
• Taste the typical Tuscan cuisine, the magnificent platters of cheeses and cured meats and the perfectly roasted meat in the Bottega di Elena, with local Tuscan products.

Castagneto Carducci: second stop Holidays in Tuscany

This beautiful hilltop village rises around a majestic medieval castle and is full of narrow streets and suggestive views. Here the imposing Town Hall and the ancient Church of San Lorenzo await you, as well as the Church of S.S. Crucifix, with its wooden crucifix from the fifteenth century. A perfect stop for a trip that mixes culture and relaxation, to admire a magnificent landscape and many craft shops.

Castagneto Carducci Tips:

• Visit the house of Giosuè Carducci and the dedicated museum with the permanent exhibition, to learn everything about the famous Italian poet who spent his youth here.
• Buy a clutch bag at Cristea Florin’s Art and Fashion Tailoring (Sartoria Arte e Moda). Between vintage-style fabric creations and extraordinary craftsmanship it will be difficult to resist doing some shopping.
• Taste the dishes of the region and the local wine at Enoteca Castagnetana, an intimate and welcoming restaurant with a few tables and an informal setting.

Bibbona: third stop Holidays in Tuscany

The medieval village of Bibbona, among arches, stairways and a castle with imposing walls, is a stop you cannot miss. Its history dates back to the Stone Age and retains traces of Romanesque architecture and the passage of the Counts of Gherardesca and the Medici family.

Bibbona Tips:

• Visit the Pieve di Sant’Ilario, a beautiful Romanesque church that survived over the years the raids of pirates along the coast.
• Buy an olive cream, a true symbol of Tuscany, in the Bottega dell’Erbolario, to hydrate the skin after sunny days.
• Have lunch or dinner at the Taverna La Carabaccia by Chef Emanuele Vallini. In addition to eating well, you will discover a nicely furnished environment, decorated with pot-shaped lamps. Don’t forget to taste the delicious artisan cooked ham, a real delicacy of the house.

Must-visit Wineries Holidays in Tuscany: my Tips

Visiting the Tuscan coast also means enjoying a tour of its fabulous cellars, where you can taste the wines of the surrounding vineyards.

Here are the must-see wineries for your Tuscan holiday:

Tenute di San Guido

Named after San Guido della Gherardesca, Tenuta di San Guido extends between the sea and lush hills for endless kilometers. Here the thoroughbreds of the prestigious Dormelio Olgiata breed are bred and you can also find the Faunistic Refuge of Padule di Bolgheri. But, above all, you can taste the excellent Sassicaia, created by the Marquis Mario Incisa della Rocchetta in the first half of the twentieth century. A noble and precious wine you must absolutely try.

Ornellaia

A wonderful estate in the Tuscan countryside, where, between contemporary works of art and a dream landscape, you reach the cellar of the barrique barrels. Here the extraordinary Ornellaia wines are aged in small French oak barrels, to mature the sensual notes typical of the cellar.

Le Macchiole

The splendid Tenuta de Le Macchiole in Bolgheri is just as spectacular. Surrounded by fields of vines and silver olive groves, it is a real feast for the eyes too. And for the palate, thanks to its refined wines, born from the fertile soil of the Tuscan coast and from sun-kissed grapes. One sip will let you quickly fully savor the sweetness of these places.

Podere Grattamacco

Tenuta Podere Grattamacco is a stop for true connoisseurs. In addition to the breathtaking beauty of the hill on which it stands, a warm and engaging welcome awaits you. A tour through the estate is ideal for learning all the stages of production and tasting the extraordinary wines of the cellar.

SUPER TIPS: Osteria Magona

The Osteria Magona in Bolgheri, also known as the “house of the meat”, is the stop for the taste for an artfully made grilled steak. Here the chef Omar Barsacchi awaits you, together with his wife Marina and his son Rocco, to delight you with the house specialties. Grilled steak will never have tasted so good.

Tuscany Style

What to wear while vacationing in Tuscany

Good food and good wine are great, but looks also count! For the seaside holiday in Tuscany I chose a simple and comfortable style, in harmony with the Tuscan nature. Simple chemisier cover-ups that you can find in the shops of the Tuscan villages or in the markets of the seaside towns.

Do you need style tips? Contact me for advice, I will be happy to help you!

The first is a green shirt cover-up with tropical pattern by Antica Sartoria. I matched it with a large Montegallo hat, to protect me from the sun in the hot hours, and Celine round sunglasses. A glamorous but extremely comfortable outfit.

The second look is a 100% Capri shirt, in fresh linen, in the same shades of sand. I matched iit with a handcrafted pamela hat, bought during one of my previous trips, a straw bag and Celine round glasses.

Elegance for this summer is comfort and essentiality!

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