Area Sosta La Pampa

Wildlife lovers, be sure to bring your binoculars for photographing pink flamingos in the Diaccia Botrona Nature Reserve (10 minutes’ drive). You may be lucky enough to spot elusive wolves and wild cats slinking through the undergrowth in Maremma Regional Park (five minutes), but you’ll almost definitely see long-horned Maremma cattle, owls and hares as you hike or cycle through the park. Grab your bathers and head inland to Saturnia (an hour and 15 minutes) and hang out in the steaming, therapeutic hot springs that tumble in steps down the hillside, or drive through the Val di Merse – a typical Tuscan backdrop of snubby hillocks dotted with stately cypress trees – to have a wander around the impressive Gothic skeleton of Abbazia di San Galgano (an hour and 10 minutes). Alternatively, you might prefer to stick close to home. Meander down to Kite Beach Fiumara (10 minute’s walk) and hire a kite board to take out on the reliable waves. If you’re a complete novice, no problems, as gear hire and lessons are available on the sands. Too much like hard work? Have a dip in the sea and then grab a lounger from one of the beach lidos and chill in the sun.