For many years, we have spent our holidays in Italy, after living in Turin for 5 years and having had the chance to learn the language.

We recently discovered the wonders of nature in Tuscany , far from the world-famous big cities, and we happily enjoy them month after August. It's this experience of a green holiday that we want to share with you.

Tuscany is full of natural parks, true gems where nature reigns supreme and everything is done to protect it so that the fauna and flora can continue to flourish in peace.

The Montioni Natural Park

6000 hectares of virgin forest, trails and silence... Montioni Park is right next to the seaside town of Follonica.

As is often the case in Italy, it is almost no longer surprising to discover archaeological remains, even in the middle of the Mediterranean scrubland, as well as ancient mines.

Montioni Park often takes on the appearance of a mysterious forest; one wouldn't be surprised to see strange creatures emerge from the depths of the woods. The paths are sometimes strewn with large stones, and the scrubland is full of black, gnarled tree trunks.

We followed an educational trail explaining the trees around us. Bicycles can be rented for a more athletic route.

In August, there was nobody there!

Artemise is wearing the Floria mahogany jumpsuit

the Maremma Natural Park

A little-known region in southern Tuscany, the Maremma Regional Natural Park is the largest in Tuscany and encompasses marshes, wild beaches, and pine forests. This park is highly protected, especially during the summer months to prevent the risk of wildfires; access is strictly controlled. In summer, beach access is strictly regulated for cars, and excursions within the park on marked trails are only permitted with guides.

The options are varied: kayaks, bicycles, walking... We rented bikes near the beach and took the girls for a short trip to the river mouth and the salt marshes. The route is easy and short enough to do with children, but by bike is preferable (walking is quite long and offers little shade!).

Cycling in a dreamlike setting

We were completely alone; it was extraordinary. We saw some marsh birds and the nest of the osprey, which was recently and successfully reintroduced to the area. Informative signs provide information on how to identify plants, fish, and birds.

The beach is unique in that it is littered with driftwood which walkers use to make huts (practical for protecting themselves from the sun).

Note: there are food trucks offering more than decent food (local, sometimes organic, homemade gluten-free bread!).

The sea water is not so transparent because of the river which flows into it after crossing the red soils of the lands around Siena.

the botanical garden of Pisa

We'd been coming to Pisa for so long... but never found the time to stop!

I love plants and flowers, and we make a point of visiting the botanical gardens of the cities we stop in. We were particularly charmed by the botanical garden in Pisa, which stretches peacefully in the shadow of the famous tower. Away from the usual tourist routes, we were able to enjoy it in complete tranquility. We loved discovering unusual plants.

This botanical garden is the oldest in Europe, dating back to the 16th century. Information online criticizes its poor condition, but don't believe it; while not perfectly maintained, it is still very pleasant.

The garden shop offers locally made and very pretty dried flower cards.

the natural history museum of the Charterhouse of Calci

The Calci Charterhouse is nestled in pristine greenery. It houses a remarkable natural history museum, particularly appealing to children for its recently opened freshwater fish aquariums, the largest in Europe. Visitors can see thousands of taxidermied animals, the skeleton of a giant whale (in which a mischievous Pinocchio hides), and these beautiful aquariums.

That's the gist of the nature walks we loved.

More unusual and peaceful, this way of discovering Tuscany is very pleasant. The beaches are generally preceded by beautiful pine forests, and the paths leading to them or along the sea are also wild.

We dream of returning in the autumn because the landscapes must be sublime at that time of year.

More discoveries in the heart of this Tuscan nature will follow in a future post.