Exploring Val di Cornia

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Description

This is a proposal to discover the Val di Cornia, amid history, nature, food and wine.

First day: RIMIGLIANO PARK – BARATTI AND POPULONIA ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK

Arrival by private transport – or by organised transfer on request (extra), accommodation in the farmhouse and departure for a beautiful guided trekking experience in the Rimigliano Natural Coastal Park, a green strip of almost 6 km that overlooks the sea framed by Mediterranean vegetation, full of oaks and pines protected from the sea winds by a system of sand dunes (5 metres high with occasional peaks of 10 metres).

All routes are groomed and signposted, the area is equipped with showers and toilets, and on the horizon the unmistakable silhouettes of the islands of the Tuscan archipelago.

13:00 Lunch in a typical restaurant with traditional Tuscan dishes.

After lunch, a guided tour of the Archaeological Park of Baratti and Populonia where the Etruscan necropolis of San Cerbone will be visited. These sites date back to different times in Etruscan history and were discovered under metres of iron slag, a metal imported from the nearby island of Elba and worked in Populonia from the second millennium BC. Three different types of tombs can also be seen in the necropolis. Thereafter a visit of the Acropolis and the Caves.

Return to the hotel – Dinner – Overnight stay.

Second day: SAN SILVESTRO MINING PARK- CAMPIGLIA MARITTIMA

Breakfast and transfer to the San Silvestro Mining Park. On this fascinating journey through time you can discover Etruscan artefacts, mines, shafts, tunnels and caves.

 The tour starts at the Museum of Archaeology and Minerals and continues with an expert guide along the 360-metre-long Sharpener Mine to discover an unusual underground world.

We visit Earle’s shaft, where the mining machinery installations and the life of the miners are located, and reach the railway station to catch the train that will take us inside the Lanzi-Temperino tunnel, retracing the path of the minerals. In the background we can see the remains of the castle of Rocca di San Silvestro, a fortified hamlet dating back to the 10th century.

13:00 Lunch in the medieval village of Campiglia Marittima where we will taste, among other delicacies, the typical Campiglia schiaccia, a crispy cake served with a glass of white wine strictly from the surrounding vineyards.

In the afternoon, a free visit to the fascinating historic centre of Campiglia, whose entrance is formed by three imposing gates. Inside the walls are craft shops, museums and narrow streets and squares that will take you back in time.

Return to the hotel – Dinner – Overnight stay.

Third day: SUVERETO – MONTIONI NATURAL PARK

Breakfast, check-out and departure for Suvereto, considered one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Italy dating back to the year 1000. The town’s ancient walls enclose cobbled alleyways that are overlooked by stone houses, historic buildings, and charming churches with shady cloisters.

Also known for its thousand-year-old wine tradition, Suvereto produces, among others, Vermentino wine from a grape typical of this area. There is also a wealth of handicrafts, especially iron and wood.

Lunch at 13:00 in a typical wine shop where you can taste the ‘Crogiantina’ with local extra virgin olive oil.

In the afternoon, guided visit to Montioni

A natural park covering approximately 7000 hectares and falling within the territory of five municipalities (Suvereto, Campiglia, Piombino, Massa M.ma and Follonica). The park includes an impressive natural heritage that remains closely linked to human action for the production of coal and the extraction of alum (used for tanning and to fix colours on fabrics). Of particular note is the mining village of Montioni, which was created by the wish of Elisa Bonaparte, Napoleon’s sister.

Of great interest is the wildlife park, which is home to a large number of animals living in the wild: wild boar, wild deer and roe deer.

In the late afternoon, end of the trip.