The Tuscany you don’t expect Maremma

Think of Tuscany and Florence or Pisa come to mind, but there’s another side to the region: an endless expanse of wild terrain that’s home to hilltop towns and age-old producers

Situated in western central Italy, the Maremma region is where Tuscany takes a wild turn. Caldana and Roccastrada are two hilltop towns still refreshingly off the tourist radar here, surveying fields, olive groves, corduroy-like vineyards and forested slopes from on high.

A vision in warm stone, Caldana takes you back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance era, as you tread softly through narrow, shady alleys up to its 16th-century church, San Biagio. Days here are about slowing the pace and lingering over lazy lunches of homemade pasta and zesty vermentino white wine at an osteria. Strike out into the countryside some 30 minutes north, however, and you’ll find Roccastrada’s more wooded surroundings. Standing 1,558ft above sea level in the park of the Colline Metallifere Grossetane, the area is full of paths and hiking routes to discover by foot, horse or mountain bike.

London-based ITS ITALY aims to simplify the process of buying and managing property abroad. Having signed a partnership with more than 60 municipalities across Italy, ITS also offers concrete opportunities to invest and integrate with local communities, while reinvigorating small towns and villages. Find out more at itsfor.it