17 JUL 2023
A TRIP TO TUSCANY TO ENJOY THE STUNNING BEACHES AND NATURAL BEAUTIES OF CASTIGLIONE DELLA PESCAIA AND PUNTA ALA
TOURING IN A MOTORHOME
Tuscany is a popular destination with tourists from all over Europe and has a truly impressive landscape diversity. If you are planning a beach holiday with your Ducato-based motorhome, there are two resorts you should definitely consider: Castiglione della Pescaia and Punta Ala. They are located within a few kilometres of each other along the Tyrrhenian coast, in the province of Grosseto. Here you can find one of the most scenic locations along the Tuscan coast, where the pine forest stretches all the way to the beach, as if reflected in the crystal clear waters of the sea.
If you would like to spend a few relaxing days in this area, you can stay at one of several well-equipped campsites by the sea. Rest areas and motorhome parking areas are also available here, but you won’t find many of them. You can visit various places in the area by hopping on one of the local buses while leaving your vehicle parked, but we recommend getting around by bicycle or hiring a scooter.
Castiglione della Pescaia has a lot to offer: the lower part of the village is modern, with plenty of shops, while the upper part is without doubt more characteristic. The upper part of the village, which has a Medieval plan with a castle at the top, is sure to charm you with its narrow lanes, uphill paths (take your time!), and ancient stone buildings. You will not be able to resist having an aperitif, dinner or just a snack, sampling local delicacies at the many establishments which, with their many lights, look even more picturesque in the evening. At the harbour, which is also teeming with life, every day elegant tourist boats come and go while fishing boats unload crates of fish freshly caught using nets.
Punta Ala is a more modern resort with a certain air of exclusivity that this small town, dating back to the 1970s, once had and to some extent still has today. Most of the daily life here revolves around the marina, where elegant yachts are docked and many stylish bars and restaurants can be found. The Punta Ala Yacht Club is still associated with the myth of the Luna Rossa, the racing sailboat that was first launched here in 1999 to compete in the America’s Cup, which garnered the attention of millions of people.
This area also abounds in natural wonders, such as the nature reserve ‘Riserva Naturale della Diaccia Botrona’, a marshy area where native flora grows and inhabited by many species of birds and other animals. A fascinating and very informative site is the so- called Casa Rossa Ximenes, a series of buildings that were built and used to reclaim the marshy area, which once extended over a very large area. Also not far from here is a large nature park, the Parco Naturale della Maremma, which has a visitor centre in Alberese.
With thick woods stretching all the way to the beaches, the Parco della Maremma is the perfect habitat for several animal species such as the wild boar and fallow deer. You can visit the park either on foot or by bike, or you can enjoy horseback tours and special guided tours in a horse-drawn carriage or canoe.
So, are you ready for a holiday in Tuscany aboard our Ducato-based motorhome? There are plenty of attractions in Castiglione della Pescaia and Punta Ala, from golden beaches to places steeped in history as well as protected natural areas.