While you're in southern Tuscany,
why not explore some of these delightful places? All are within easy driving distance and can be visited in a half day.
MANCIANO (pronounced mahn-chahn-no)-This is the closest village near the house and the one you drove through if you came from Rome. It is primarily a place to do your grocery shopping, have a coffee or stop for an ice cream, but it does have a great medieval old town built around an ancient fortress. There are also one, two or three wonderful antique shops, a very nice restaurant named Paolino, and lots of clothing shops. Throughout the year, there are various festivals and evening activities, so check the local signs and posters going in and out of town.
The movie theater also has a good rotation of ³almost first-run ³ films throughout the year, subtitled or dubbed in Italian.
SATURNIA (pronounced saa-toor-nee-ah)-Saturnia is about 15 km from the house. Drive to Manciano and follow the signs to Montemerano and then Saturnia. The name Saturnia refers to both the sulfuric hot springs and the ultra-expensive resort nearby. If youıd like to take a dip, follow the signs to the resort, then drive an 1/8 of a mile further and look for a dirt road with a lot of cars clustered about. Just a few minutes walk will bring you to the cascatelle (cas-kah-tell-eh), sulfur streams and springs which form natural jacuzzi-like pools that you can enjoy. Entrance is free and unrestricted and even on cold days there are usually people here.
MONTEMERANO (pronounced mon-tay-meh-rahn-oh)-Between Saturnia and Manciano is Montemerano, a tiny medieval hill town which you can see directly across the terrace from our house. (At night, it appears to have a small necklace of lights around its base.) The picturesque little houses and tiny passageways of the old section of town are colorful, very charming and are often rented or owned by city-dwellers and used as country getaways.
PITIGLIANO (pronounced pee-teal-ee-ah-no)-To get to Pitigliano, go back to the main road to Manciano and turn left (vs. right) and follow the signs to this intriguing town, the largest in southern Tuscany and definitely worth visiting. Be prepared for a dramatic view of this medieval town perched on a spectacular cliff as you round the last bend. (It is spectacularly list at night, so going there for dinner is a real visual treat.) The cliff and surrounding hills are tufa, a soft stone from which Etruscans carved tombs thousands of years ago. Many of these are now wine cellars, garages, and stores! The famous Roman Orsini family owned the castle here and in past centuries, the city was best known for its thriving Jewish community. Today there are antique and gift shops to keep you busy.
SOVANA (pronounced sew-vah-na)-Not far from Pitigliano is Sovana. Etruscan tombs and pristine Romanesque architecture make this tiny town worth visiting. At one time it was the capital of southern Tuscany. Weekdays are a good time to visit as tourists are few and you can have the town to yourself. Check your guide books for more information on the history of the town and its architecture. While in the area look for road signs pointing out Etruscan sites. Donıt be afraid to stop and explore some of these. Generally there will be a small parking area where you can safely leave your car. ( Donıt leave any valuables in it., though.) Sometimes there are other visitors you can follow to the various sites; sometimes thereıs an attendant; sometimes youıll be left to your own devices. In this case, just follow the trails that will often and lead you through incredible geological formations that often served as burial grounds for the Etruscans.
LAKE BOLSENA (pronounced bowl-sane-ah) - About 30 km (18 miles) is the beautiful Lake Bolsena. Many of our guests prefer it to the seaside resorts along the coast. The town of Marta is one of the best little towns on the lake with good seafood restaurants and a nice beach. You can also take a ferry from Marta to the small island in the middle of the lake. The towns of Capodimonte and Gradoli also on the lake are very nice and worth a visit. Many of our guests go back to the lake many times during their stay, visiting a different village every day.
SORANO (pronounced sore-ah-no)-To the east of Sovana, Sorano is visible for miles. This tiny village is partially abandoned; however, there are some ceramic and crafts shops, medieval streets and a castle that make for a delightful visit.
MAREMMA NATURE PRESERVE (pronounced mah-rem-ah)-About 60 km (36 miles) from the house is the village of Alberrese, where nearby is the Maremma Nature Preserve. This stretch of woods and scrub land is under the protection of the World Wildlife Foundation. Here you can see huge umbrella pines shading miles of white deserted beaches. The preserve is home to deer, wild hare, porcupines, long-horned cattle and wild horses.
MASSA MARITTIMA (pronounced mah-sah mare-ee-teem-ah)-Northwest of Manciano (about 80 km or 50 miles), this city was first a Roman town named Massa, then a preeminent medieval center along the coastal region. It now has a wonderfully restored Etruscan museum, a beautiful medieval piazza and a Romanesque cathedral.
CAPALBIO (pronounced cap-al-bee-oh)-This medieval town (about 25 km or 15 miles from Manciano)is the main center of horse breeding in southern Tuscany and a good place to sample wild game prepared in appetizing local recipes.
VULCI (pronounced vool-chee)-You passed the Hotel Vulci if you came from Rome. Not far from the hotel is Vulci itself, site of an Etruscan and Roman museum situated in a medieval castle next to the River Fiora. Here also is an outstanding high-arched bridge from Roman times, built on Etruscan foundations.
PORTO SANTO STEFANO - About 45 km ( 27 miles) is this pretty port town on the Tyhrrenian coast. From here you can take ferries to some of the little islands off the coast of Italy.
