The Area
From the hills of the Val d’Orcia to the Maremma coast, Tuscany is a paradise for walkers, cyclists, bon-vivants and art buffs alike
With Le Pianore as your base, you’re perfectly poised to explore the many riches of this natural and cultural wonderland. You can go on guided hikes, horse rides and cycle outing, excursions to thermal baths, romanesque abbeys and sculpture gardens. You could visit a vineyard and sip on a bold Brunello accompanied by a variety of local cheeses or learn how to make pasta like nonna right here in our farm kitchen. Why not treat yourself to a massage, have a private yoga lesson or reawaken your creativity with a Vedic Art workshop? Whatever your preference, let us help you organise the activities that will make your stay all the more magical.
What to do
HOT SPRINGS AND SPAS
Hot springs and Spas are one of the Maremma’s biggest claims to fame. Although Monte Amiata last erupted hundreds of thousands of years ago, this dormant volcano continues to fuel many thermal springs (terme) around its base. Saturnia, Petriolo, Bagno Vignoni & Bagni San Filippo all have exclusive spas nearby wild rock pools in breathtaking natural settings, where the water flows freely and no entrance fee is asked.
THE BEACHES
Alberese: Bordering the Monti dell’Uccellina nature reserve, this grey-sand beach, stretching for over four miles, is one of the wildest and emptiest beaches on the Italian mainland. Talamone: has something on offer for everyone. From a long sandy beach with views across to Monte Argentario, to rocky coves with crystal clear waters ideal for snorkeling below the incredibly atmospheric setting of the medieval fortress of Rocca Aldobrandesca. Rocchette is a long, coarse sandy beach a short distance from the popular sailing port and pretty medieval old town of Castiglione della Pescaia.
MONTE AMIATA
Rising 1732m above sea level, the volcanic dome of the Monte Amiata dominates the landscape. Amiata’s strength is its peacefulness and simplicity. Home to Europe’s largest Beech forest, the Amiata is heaven for hikers and. Albergo-Ristorante Le Macinaie Tel:0564969001. www.lemacinaie.it
MERIGAR
Merigar West Buddhist Retreat Merigar literally means “home of the mountain of fire”, symbolically “dwelling energy”. Since 1981, people have been coming together here, where the slopes of Mount Amiata meet those of the Monte Labbro Nature Reserve, to study the Tibetan Dzogchen tradition under the guidance of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. www.dzogchen.it Tel: +39 0564 966 837
ART GARDENS
Giardino di Daniel Spoerri (The Daniel Spoerri Sculpture Garden) Since its opening in 1997, the park has grown to house 103 installations by 50 artists in an area of about 16 hectares. Tel: +39 0564 950 805. www.danielspoerri.org