Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THREE PERFECT DAYS
Day 1: Stunning Seafood
Livorno does seafood like nowhere else in Tuscany. Examine raw specimens bright and early at the
Mercato Centrale, then walk across black-and-white checks on the Terrazza Mascagni followed by a
seafood lunch at a Livorno eatery.
Day 2: Along the Strada del Vino e dell'Olio
Start inland from Livorno and wend your way scenically south through a rolling hinterland strung
with medieval villages and laced with vineyards. Particularly fine tasting-stops - for wine and food -
include San Guido and Bolgheri (linked by a beautiful, 5km-long Cypress Alley), from where it is a
very wiggly 20km further south to Sassetta (a great place to overnight is at La Cerreta). Next day fo-
cus on Val di Cornia DOC wines in Suvereto, then head 25km southwest to the Golfo di Baratti for a
picnic among Etruscan ruins.
Day 3: The Elba Experience
The final leg of the Strada del Vino is across the water on this paradise island. Catch the ferry from
Piombino to Portoferraio and spend the day exploring its waterfront, haggling with fishermen for the
day's catch, lunching in the Old Town and visiting its forts. Elba's oldest wine estate, Tenuta La Chi-
usa is the place to stay - and taste/buy Elba's sweet red Aleatico dessert wine. Next day, explore west-
ern Elba, not missing a trip up Monte Capanne, an evening
passeggiata
(evening stroll) in Marciana
Marina and dinner at Ristorante Capo Nord. If you're with kids, include Rio Marina in your itinerary.
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Getting Around
Livorno is a major port with ferries aplenty to Sardinia, Corsica and - closer to home -
the tiny island of Capraia in the national-park-protected Tuscan Archipelago; to sail to El-
ba drive 90km south along the A12 and subsequent SS1 and SP23 to Piombino. Livorno is
on the Rome-La Spezia train line and is also connected to Florence and Pisa by train. Bus
services are limited; to really explore you need a car, scooter or bicycle.
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Where to Stay
ยป
Livorno is the obvious place, but it is a busy port town.
