Tuscan Archipelago: Europe's largest marine national park

An evocative legend is told about the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, according to which the Goddess Venus emerging from the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea dropped seven pearls from her necklace that fell into the sea, becoming the 7 islands of the Tuscan Archipelago.

Elba Island, the queen of the Tuscan Archipelago
Island of Capraia
Gorgona Island
Giglio Island
Pianosa Island
Montecristo Island
Giannutri Island, the seagull island of the Tuscan Archipelago

Tuscan Archipelago: Europe's largest marine national park

I always rememberwith great pleasure my first vacation at the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, a very important vacation as it was the first in the company of friends after high school! Since that goliardic summer I have returned several times to the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago and therefore and I would recommend to anyone these magnificent areas of Tuscany that, in my opinion, are not very well known and valued.

Last spring I decided to leave with my family (gone are the days of high school graduation) to my place of the heart:Elba Island.

Elba Island, the queen of the Tuscan Archipelago

For our stay we chose, as usual, the hotel Baia Bianca Suites which is located in the beautiful Gulf of Biodola, and where we now feel at home. The services offered by the relais (such as the Kids club or the exclusive bistro with a sea view) "pamper" the client at 360°, and in addition, the spacious suites perfectly accommodate even large families, like mine! The Baia Bianca is a great starting point for enjoying the island's beautiful beaches, or for biking or sailing trips.

Baia Bianca's efficient staff helped us organize some interesting excursions, and as a result, what should have been a relaxing stay soon became a real touring vacation dedicated to the beautiful Tuscan Archipelago National Park.

Elba Island, you know, really needs very little introduction: a magnificent, relaxing place with a beautiful sea. Having rented a car directly on the island, we were able to discover it in all its most renowned resorts and beaches.

In addition to Portoferraio, all 8 municipalities on Elba, including the small Tuscan village of Marciana Marina, the smallest municipality in Italy: the climate here is still authentic, far from the hubbub of noisy entertainment and all-inclusive vacations. The undisputed star of the island remains Nature, with its sea, beaches and mountains.

The Tuscan Archipelago constitutes the largest marine national park in Europe. The legend of the islands' birth tells that they are pearls that fell to Venus

Island of Capraia

One of the first excursions we took was to theIsland of Capraia, which amazed me with its colors, and I am not just referring to those of its sea: many of its cliffs, in fact, have reddish hues, which make the landscape even more captivating.

As you walk the island's paths through history and nature, you can see the Fortress, ancient towers, narrow streets, and colorful house facades that stand out against the blue sky and sea.

Gorgona Island

La Gorgona, the smallest and rockiest of the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. It measures just over 2 km and is largely occupied by the penitentiary.

It is very difficult to visit this little pearl of the Mediterranean because boats cannot dock and only guided tours for small groups of tourists and organized by the Park Cooperative are allowed. I recommend that you take action well in advance to book your excursion to Gorgona Island.

Giglio Island

Also theGiglio Island turned out to be truly magnificent: I remember a very pleasant swim in theCampese Gulf beach and an evening walk in the ancient alleys of Giglio Castello.

For a romantic dinner by the sea, I recommend the Cannelle Beach Bar restaurant , overlooking the cove of the same name that has the Argentario in the background where, to our pleasant surprise, we enjoyed superb Tagliolini al nero di seppia with mussels clams and pistachio pesto delighted by a background of live music.

Pianosa Island

We had a chance to admire theIsland of Pianosa which takes its name from its almost exclusively flat territory.

Until 1997 Pianosa was not accessible to tourists because it housed a security prison. This restriction allowed the island to preserve its pristine natural heritage, and even today, it is only possible to visit the island on foot or by mountain bike. I would like to point out to lovers of diving like me, an exclusive and unrepeatable experience: the possibility, through dive centers accredited by the Park, to dive in the island's rich and unchanged seabed.

Montecristo Island

Known to most for one of Dumas' famous novels, The Count of Monte Cristo, theIsland of Monte Cristo è completely uninhabited and access is limited, to protect its wildlife and natural heritage.

I recommend relying on a mini-cruise service that organizes interesting tours of the island under the guidance of the forestry corps to discover theformer royal villa, monastery , and the Saint's Cave.

Giannutri Island, the seagull island of the Tuscan Archipelago

This island full of charm and silence won me over.Giannutri Island, also called the Island of the Seagulls (due to the presence of a colony of herring gulls) is a refuge in a dimension far from everyday life where the days flow slowly to the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks.

Delightful is the excursion to Punta di Capel Rosso where, through a path surrounded by fragrant Mediterranean scrub, one arrives at the characteristic lighthouse built in typical red and white masonry. Unfortunately, the building is in a state of disrepair since it is no longer inhabited by the keeper.

I have decided that next year I will spend my vacation on this enchanted and wild island where the only accommodation is the Dimore di Mimmina, 4 independent apartments with a sea view, where you can dine under the immense starry sky.

The best American Bars in Florence, venues with intimate and evocative atmospheres directed by the most talented bartenders and mixologists in the Tuscan capital

In short, I can only suggest the Tuscan Archipelago National Park to anyone, especially those who want to experience a relaxing, rejuvenating vacation away from mass tourism and in close contact with nature.

And what a nature, I might add!

📍 TO ELABORATE:

👉 To the island of Elba in the footsteps of Fausto Coppi

👉 Labronica coast among wind, sea, food and curiosities

👉 Bovio Square in Piombino, one of the most beautiful squares in Tuscany

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