| Etruscan Coast |
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Tuscany Etruscan Coast Powdery sand beaches wend along the Etruscan Coast without end, shooting off into impressive sand dunes and interrupted only by sweet, trickling sea-bound brooks and dramatic, rocky cliffs that have been swept up against by the modest, blue waves and warm winds of the Mediterranean for millennia. Talk to some of the local fishermen, the very family names of whom have not changed for thousands of years, and you’ll get a sense of the simple, yet happy way of life that the local villagers live.
Start out in Livorno, and when taking a tour of Livorno, you’ll be well advised to head straight toward the old city, commonly called Porto Mediceo. This renaissance era wonder epitomizes the much-studied architecture of Bernardo Buonatlenti, and is surrounded by a mote that evokes the imagery of ancient fairytale castles and knights on horseback. Once having entered the Porto Mediceo, you are advised to head directly toward the main cathedral, or “Duomo” located squarely on the Grand Plaza.
Outside of the old city, Livorno is far from drab. Down by the Livorno waterfront, plenty of hotels and places to stay – including rental apartments with priceless views looking out on the archipelago – tantalize the traveler and offer exceptional value.
Among the many things to do on the beaches and seaside villages of Tuscany’s Etruscan Coast, many take pleasure in hiring a boat to head out to the nearby islands, and discover white walled cities cropping up like mineral gems in the midst of a glassy blue sea. Those who prefer to stay back on the mainland have access to a wide variety of water sports. Let the very wind that has powered local fishermen for ages, power your windsurfing, kite surfing or yachting excursion off the Etruscan Coast. Or just hop in and enjoy snorkeling, swimming and scuba diving in the Mediterranean.
Land-based sports include beach volleyball, tennis at local resorts and cycling through the countryside. In fact, while many Italian tourists stick to sunbathing on the sandy beaches (not a bad place for people watching) and foreign tourists head for more inland hills, the pristine inland area of the Etruscan coast is virgin territory for some delightful, uncrowded cycling or hiking excursions. Breathtaking vistas of the ocean and surrounding hillside jump out at every turn, and experiencing the countryside this way is truly a rewarding pursuit.
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