Castiglione della Pescaia. Castiglione della Pescaia only has a small sandy beach and a small port but is a very attractive little hill-town, very lively both during the day and until late at night. Its remains of a castle and its pretty location offer several options to the visitor. A very nice walk is also the one to the remains of the green castle where locals and visitors relax in the summer evenings. In summer the entertainment and local shops stay open in the evenings, much for the delight of visitors.

Marina di Grosseto. Probably not the most attractive town at first sight, Marina di Grosseto offers however excellent beach facilities and a buoyant beach.

Marina di Alberese. A long and sandy beach in the middle of the Parco Nazionale della Maremma. Entry to cars is limited to the number of spaces available in the park. Tickets for the park are obtainable from Alberese APT (Tourist Office), so please head there before you reach the beach.

Parco Maremma. Beaches are available within the park too. There are 9 main trails which visitors can hike and have to stick to, lasting from 2/3- 6 hours. A bus is available from Alberese and will take you to Pratini. From there you can reach the beach, which is about twenty minutes walk from there. You can start most of your hikes from here too. A list of tracks are available for your convenience at Poggio Pelliccia, or at the Tourist offices at the entrances of the park. Other general rules typical of National Parks apply. Useful references such as at www.provincia.grosseto.it/turismo/escursioni, or www.girando.it will give you some background info and maps. Refer to the Parco della Maremma section for detailed information about the park and how to get there.

Cala di Forno (Alberese). Considered a paradise by nudists. Cala Violina (5km south of Scarlino).

Cala Violina is the most renowned cala in the gulf. There are three main routes to reach it, some of them (or parts) are only accessible by bike, foot, horse or 4 wheel car. The most direct route you can reach from Follonica following the sign postings to Castiglione della Pescaia. Go past the "Il puntone di Scarlino" and after a while you will see on the right Cala di Forno sign posted. You will have to leave your car around 1 km away from the cala.

If you want to hike for an hour or so start from the same route but leave your car at the small port near to "Il puntone di Scarlino". You can continue by horse, hiking or biking on the dirty track. From the route you will reach a wood and run along the coast from the top of the rocks. You will gain a magnificent view of the gulf. Reach first Cala Martina and proceed for Cala Violina.

You can reach Cala Violina also from the campsite in Punta Ala but this is a difficult route and possible just on foot. It is however very rewarding to reach Cala Violina from here as this route runs on the coast and great for hiking.

Follonica. Follonica is one of the most popular seaside resorts and is a crowded sea side resort.

Isola d'Elba. Isola d'Elba is the third largest Italian island after Sicily and Sardinia. It mostly well known as the place of exile of Napoleon and is now one of the most sought after resorts in Tuscany and in the country. It is very hilly, it has wonderfully clean water, fine white sand beaches and offers also wonderful opportunities for hiking. This is thanks to its hilly, wooded interior. Busses will take you mostly everywhere on the isle. The main service runs from Portoferraio, the capital of the isle.

Other towns include Marina di Campo, Porto Azzurro, Marciana and Poggio. Rent a bike or a moped for an alternative way of visiting the area. Alternatively you can reach beaches and explore the island through boats. Portoferraio is still the main place where you should start your journey. You can find most services there and information on how to get around. All information on Elba and its services you will find at www.portale-elba.it. For bus information contact ATL at Viale Elba 20, Portoferraio. Renting cars, mopeds and bikes you can do in Portoferraio station at Chiappi Marino, Piazza Citi 5, www.rentchiappi.it at info@rentchiappi.it or at TWN, www.twn-rent.it and info@twn-rent.it at Portoferraio, Marina di Campo or Porto Azzurro. Most services won't be available between October and April as Elba literally shuts down. Monte Argentario (Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole) (please refer to the excursions section) Punta Ala.

Punta Ala is one of the trendy resorts of the Tuscan coastal areas. It is very sought after for its location, fine sandy beaches and views of the gulf. It attracts golf and polo enthusiasts and upmarket clientele. Follonica. Follonica is one of the most popular seaside resorts and is a crowded sea side resort.

Sterpaia. The park is a few kilometres from Piombino. This is a protected area which offers the public rather a lot. Apart from enjoying the protected area and nature of typical of a humid forest "foresta umida" the park offers opportunities to campers and picnickers to spend a nice a relaxing day out amid the beauty abd natural resources of the park and the beach. There are parking facilities and water facilities for campers , organised picnic areas, transport facilities from and to the beaches and busses from Piombino reaching the park. Organised tours are also available. Contact the park services on 0565 49430. To reach the park exit from the E80/SS1 at Riotorto, or from Piombino, follow the directions for Torre Mozza.