Hidden in rolling countryside of Central Italy, Maremma is Tuscany’s little secret. Overlooked by the millions of tourists who flock to Italy each year, Maremma has everything that makes this country such a popular holiday destination: a rich history, good food, even better wine and irresistibly beautiful scenery.

Luckily Maremma isn’t a well known vacation spot. Distracted by the bright lights of cities like Florence, Siena and Pisa, tourists hardly ever stop to admire this splendid Southern Tuscan territory and frankly the Maremma is better for it. With an unforgettable natural beauty, the territory is blessed with thick forests of chestnuts and beeches and sprawling green fields of olive groves and vineyards. Its striking simplicity and old world feel simply couldn’t support an influx of international tourists, its pristine countryside and untouched and unpolluted atmosphere would be destroyed.

For those on a food lovers trail, the Maremma is the perfect place to get unfussy, delicious cuisine. Enshrined in centuries old traditions, Maremman food follows the Italian mantra: keep it simple but use only the best and freshest produce. Dishes such as acquacotta (a delicious vegetable soup), panzanella (a bread salad) and pappardelle al sugo di cinghiale (a local variety of pasta with wild boar sauce) will transport you back to the peasant roots of the country and leave you wanting more. The wines in the area are also some of Italy’s best. Grown on the expansive vineyards which cover the territory, the grapes are expertly transformed into award wining wines such as the Morellino di Scansano and the iconic Chianti.

But the Maremma has more to offer than just food and wine. The small towns and villages perched on hills and scattered throughout the countryside are seeped in a culture and history that is both ancient and vivid. Pieces of history, these towns are as beautiful today as they were in the Renaissance and the Middle Ages, and still as breathtaking. One such town is Pitigliano. Perched on a rocky cliff and surrounded by ancient walls, Pitigliano looks as if it has fallen straight out of a fairytale. Seeped in the simple but enchanting spirit of the Maremma, Pitigliano boasts an incredible history that dates back to the Etruscans and the Romans, while its surrounding countryside is filled with historical legacies which include the Via Cave and the Tombs of the Necropolises. An architectural and artistic wonder, the town has beautifully maintained its medieval spirit, impressive fortifications, grand palaces and charming cobble-stoned streets. The antithesis of a modern city, Pitigliano embodies the laidback lifestyle of a countryside where the food is delicious and the people are welcoming.

Another splendid destination is Bolsena Lake. The Maremma is overflowing with towns and villages that have incredible histories, romantic scenery and stunning monuments. However, it is also lucky enough to have a natural landscape that is to die for, whether you like the great outdoors or not. Lush and green Bolsena Lake is located in the high Tuscia Laziale and is home to a great number of ichthyic species including the white lake fish, the fresh water crab, the rock bass, as well as many different types of birds. The territory of Bolsena Lake is also characteristic for the unique beauty of its countryside, fields of olive and chestnut trees and vineyards. A striking territory where water meets land, Bolsena Lake is the perfect place to relax and soak up the charm and natural beauty of the Maremma.

With so much to offer, The Tuscan Maremma is the holiday destination people dream about. So completely detached from the stresses of modern life, the Maremma seduces you with its charm, entices you with its natural beauty, catches you with its traditions and fascinates you with history…making you never want to leave.

Author Bio: Maremma Tuscany Travel Guide by www.maremma-tuscany.com

Category: Travel
Keywords: maremma, tuscany, maremma tuscany, maremma italy, tuscany travel, tuscan maremma