The Maremma
Nice on the sidelines: where in central Italy the coastal plain meets the Tuscan Ore Mountains lies the Maremma. It is the least touristically developed part of Tuscany, but the corner with the mildest climate. An ideal combination for athletes and culture enthusiasts, even outside the high season.
The landscape is characterized by medieval city fortresses that sit on hilltops. Our Casa Kristina is 10 kilometers from the sea - where the Maremma hills rise from the plain.
Miles of sandy beaches with shady pine groves lie in front of lively coastal towns with many entertainment options. Golfers get their money's worth on a golf course with a sea view. In the hinterland there are lively, medieval towns with a unique, functioning combination of modern life and traditional culture in the midst of beautiful, ancient buildings. Cypress avenues and olive groves, cultivated wine cultures and fertile fields offer the eye resting places.
Cycling
The Maremma hills are ideal for exploring by bike. The constant ups and downs sometimes require a certain level of fitness. But the right terrain can be found for every preference. There are no bike paths, but many small and hardly traveled country roads.
The paths lead through dense forests and the fragrant Mediterranean maquis. Every now and then torrents are crossed. Mysterious tombs of the Etruscans, medieval villages, Tuscan Renaissance cities, castles and wineries are waiting to be discovered. Wine and olive oil tastings should definitely be included in your tours.
Towards the coast the landscape opens up, the view of the sea becomes clear. Not to be despised is of course the fact that a jump into the Tyrrhenian Sea is the crowning glory of many a cycling excursion near the coast.
Thanks to the mild climate, the cycling season is very long. March, April, May and June are the preferred months to enjoy Tuscany by bike. Thanks to their proximity to the sea, September, October and November are still ideal for cycling through the Maremma.
Mountain bike
General information about mountain biking in Maremma, the trails and tour options can be found on the Super Trail Guide website.
Mountain biking in Tuscany is more challenging than most bikers would expect. Tuscany not only offers rolling hills, but also 1000 meter high mountains. The rough beauties of the Maremma guarantee pure biking pleasure and a great mountain bike holiday! Here in our Casa Santa Kristina - halfway between Siena and the sea - you will find great views, steep climbs and rapid downhills.
Our villa is located in the middle of an extensive, well-signposted network of trails. In addition to simple mountain bike tours along rarely used gravel roads, there are countless challenging single trails for sporty biking whose level of difficulty can be compared to that of tours in the Alps. Bike schools, guided tours and rental are possible here:
Racing bike
Our Casa Kristina is surrounded by a dense network of small country roads that lead to wonderful places such as Roccastrada or Civitella. One even leads to Volterra, 80 kilometers to the north, one of the most beautiful cities in Tuscany.
In the Maremma, flat stretches can only be found directly by the sea. Almost all of the beautiful medieval cities are located on hills - if you want to visit them, you can diligently collect altitude. The tours lead through the wide and open landscape typical of Tuscany with rolling hills and wide views, but also through a lot of forest. Often there are nice bars and good restaurants to the left and right of the street, but it can also happen that there is no refreshment point along the route for 50 kilometers.
Golf
The green of the Maremma is not just that of forests, parks and pastures. It's also the green of the golf courses. All year round, the Mediterranean green can be enjoyed while playing. Four golf clubs are among the best known in the Maremma:
The Golf Club Punta Ala , in the middle of the Mediterranean maquis, is not so far from Castiglione della Pescaia and Grosseto. Open since 1964, the Punta Ala Golf Club is one of the most famous in Italy and the oldest in the Maremma. The 18-hole course with a level of difficulty of par 72 offers a breathtaking panorama of the blue sea of the Maremma.
The Tuscany Golf Club in Gavorrano was designed by the US architect Keith Preston. It has a young history (opened in 1999) and is considered one of the best golf courses in Italy. It consists of 18 holes, par 71 and has various water hazards that make the game particularly strenuous.
The Saturnia Therme Golf Club is located near the resort of the thermal baths of the same name and is distinguished by its excellent integration into the natural environment. The golf course belonging to the resort was built by a renowned architecture firm: It consists of 18 championship holes, par 72, and extends over 70 hectares of land.
Opened in 2006, the Argentario Golf Club offers a panorama of unique beauty with each of the 18 holes and par 71. The facility has been awarded the "Agri Cert" certificate and is only a few minutes away from the Duna Feniglia nature reserve.
Water sports
Sailing, windsurfing, kite surfing, surfing and diving are just a few options for water sports enthusiasts. The Maremma coast has a lot to offer and leaves nothing to be desired. If you are interested, you can contact around 30 recognized schools and sailing clubs on the coast.
Surf & SUP
Wind currents, sea and sun represent the ideal weather conditions for surf lovers. Those who love water sports will be amazed at the beauty of the sea and the beaches of the Maremma.
The islands of the Tuscan archipelago provide a wonderful setting for surfers and offer a unique opportunity to combine the beauty of sport and nature. There are numerous entertainment options that are suitable for holidays with friends or the whole family.
Surfing, windsurfing and kite surfing are common in this area. There are organized groups, sports clubs and surfing schools that spread enthusiasm for this sport. Some localities are particularly suitable thanks to their natural characteristics. In these places you can find numerous sports clubs that offer the opportunity to rent surfing equipment and learn to surf.
Diving
The Maremma sea is the ideal place to discover one of the most spectacular settings in the Mediterranean. A variety of fish, seahorses and starfish that move between anemones, sponges and worms, creating a rainbow of colors.
Discovering the underwater world of the Maremma and the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago is an unforgettable experience.
In the Maremma there are many facilities where equipment can be rented and individual and group diving courses can be reserved. Excursions and excursions are also organized throughout the year.
Sailing
As a land of sailors and seafarers, the Maremma is known worldwide for its international regattas. It is precisely in Punta Ala that the myth of Luna Rossa was born, with which an entire country became enthusiastic about this fascinating sport.
Sailing enthusiasts can find the right wind along the Maremma coast, especially between Punta Ala and Castiglione della Pescaia and Argentario.
In the towns of Castiglione della Pescaia and Le Rocchette, the Castiglione della Pescaia sailing club - one of the oldest in Tuscany - organizes events and regattas, individual and group courses.
Boats can also be rented in the nearby tourist ports of Puntone (7 km) and Punta Ala (24 km).
Equestrian sport
The Maremma is the land of knights and amazons. With its many natural parks, mountains and its varied interior, with its pristine beaches and its endless lands, the Maremma is a paradise for riders. Many riding schools offer the opportunity to discover the area and the most beautiful beaches at a gallop.
From daily excursions to overnight excursions, there are many options for horse enthusiasts.
Wine tour
In the south of Tuscany you will find a wide variety of wine-growing regions in which first-class wines are produced. You will be enchanted by numerous wine routes, which, in addition to providing interesting insights into production, will also delight the palate.
Bolgheri, just a few kilometers away, is an absolute must. It can be reached via a 5 km long avenue of cypress trees that leads from Via Aurelia near San Guido to the center of Bolgheri. Wine connoisseurs will find what they are looking for here, as world-class wineries such as Sassicaia and Ornellaia have their origins here.
No matter whether high quality wines or culinary delicacies - the Maremma has it all!
You will also get your money's worth in our Casa Kristina. Because on request we can offer you our own olive oil and our own wine. The olive oil comes directly from the areas of Casa Kristina. There are old olive trees that allow us to produce a very special olive oil every year. The wine is produced in the family's own winery near Castellina in Chainti. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Cultural program
The story lives in the Maremma - a story that you can breathe in and see at every corner. Etruscan and Roman ruins, castles and medieval villages, imposing fortresses that bear witness to almost two centuries of Spanish rule are everywhere in the Maremma.
All of these stories and cultures are integrated into an architectural and landscape game where the catchwords are “harmony” and “uniqueness”. Local patriotism is a hallmark of Tuscany, each village has its own traditions, architecture, landscape and dishes.
To get to know the Etruscan culture better, you should definitely visit the Etruscan cities of Vetulonia, Castiglione della Pescaia, Roselle, the necropolis of Sovana and the settlement of Ghiaccio Forte.
Of great interest are the medieval buildings near Castiglione della Pescaia, the Orsini fortress in Sorano, the Cassero des Salt and the Medici Wall of Grosseto, the Cathedral of Massa Marittima and the Abbey of San Rabano, within the Maremma Natural Park. And the old villages of Populonia and Pitigliano. Two wonderful examples of Gothic Revival in Grosseto are Palazzo Aldobrandeschi and the Cathedral.