 |
Hotel & Residence Stella del Mare is located in Mazzanta at the coast road which connects Vada with Cecina. We are situated in the heart of the Etruscan coast, a strip of land that extends for hundred kilometres from Livorno to Piombino, a mix of cliffs, beaches and pine forests and which, moreover, contains a hilly countryside, the characteristic Tuscan landscape. There is also situated the historic city Volterra which is the most important Etruscan city in Italy. Stella del Mare is the ideal starting point for short excursions or day trips to one of Tuscany's most interesting places.
Among the cities of art, there is Florence, the birthplace of the Italian culture, only 110 kilometres away, the medieval town Siena (90 km) with its splendid square, the Piazza del Campo, where in July and August the famous horse race, the Palio, takes place, the ancient city Lucca (70 km) which is completely surrounded by a town wall and finally, Pisa (50 km) where one can admire the Piazza dei Miracoli, one of the most magnificent squares in the world, with its dome-baptistery-leaning tower trilogy.
|
|
Among the recommended excursions outside of Tuscany, there is Rome, the capital city, at a distance of 290 km, the Cinque Terre (150 km), a charming place in Liguria, known for its marvellous small villages built into the cliffs. Both of these places can be reached within a day, also by train (from Cecina).
Furthermore, there are lots of historic towns worth visiting: the antique San Gimignano (53 km), the city of the towers, Volterra (32 km), world-known for the Etruscans, the alabaster, the Roman theatre and the spectacular summer events in medieval costumes, Massa Marittima (70 km), the smaller version of Siena, also famous for its traditional summer events, Suvereto (40 km) and Casale Marittimo (10 km), which are, according to the famous Touring Club guide, two of the most fascinating and best preserved villages in Italy, amongst others.
|
 |
 |
We then find Montecatini val di Cecina (30 km), with the old mine, Castagneto Carducci (30 km), with its vineyards and olive groves, Bolgheri (15 km) with the viale dei Cipressi, a regular national monument, with its two lines of cypresses that stretch for more than 5 kilometres and immortalized by Carducci's poem “Davanti San Guido”. Bolgheri is then world-famous for the Doc del Vino (Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Masseto, Grattamacco…).
Castiglioncello (9 km), on the height of the cliffs along the sea, is a place frequented by VIPs and is very animated, especially in the evening. A walk along the sea unites Castiglioncello with Cala de' Medici (calademedici.net), one of Tuscany's most beautiful harbours, with luxurious boats, exclusive stores and an interesting series of events and shows. The Island of Elba and the other islands (Capraia, Giglio…) are reachable in a day, with an excursion from the morning to the evening. There are two nearby thermal bath centres with lakes of naturally hot water: Casciana (42 km) and the nearby Calidario di Venturina (calidario.it), just 30 minutes away by car.
|
 |
Among the parks of Costa degli Etruschi (parchivaldicornia.it) there are mining parks (Campiglia 38 km), those natural and archaeological (with the Etruscan Necropolis) of Baratti-Populonia (50 km),a unique Etruscan city on the sea, antique harbour from which is reached the iron mines of the Island of Elba. The Tomboli (the pine forests along the coast) represent important bio-genetic reserves and ideal places for relaxation and sports, particularly running. The nearest are those of Mazzanta (100 meters), Cecina Mare (6 km) and Vada (5 km), which is famous for its white beaches of fine clear sand and its crystalline sea. Along the coast you can practice various water sports: swimming, sailing, surf, kaysurf, diving and canoeing.
The Macchie della Magona park, near the village of Bibbona (12 km) represents, with its splendid paths in the woods, the ideal place for trekking and mountain-bike lovers (mtb-cecina.it). Street bike lovers rather, can train on the tracks traced by Paolo Bettini (paolobettini.it and for trips bikehotelstuscany.com) the two-time world champion and winner of the Gold metal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens who lives in the countryside of Riparbella, a hillside town just 12 kilometres from Stella del Mare. There are a few beautiful golf courses in the area (toscanagolf.it). Nature lovers and adrenalin chasers can try the adventure park “Il Giardino Sospeso” (ilgiardinosospeso.it), located in Giardino (Riparbella) just 10 kilometres from Stella del Mare. |
 |
Here you can spend the day immersed in the woods, enjoying the exciting acrobatic jumps in the trees, of various difficulty levels in order for everyone to enjoy. Horse lovers can go to one of the numerous horse riding centres in the area which organize rides in the woods and pine forests.
|
Near Stella del Mare are various amusement parks for children: the Cavallino Matto (cavallinomatto.it) in Marina di Donoratico (16 km) and the Acqua Village (acquavillage.it) of Cecina Mare (3 km). The Parco Gallorose (parcogallorose.it) in Cecina (4 km) hosts an incredible and curious collection of animals - domestic and non.
To win you over will be the cuisine, made of healthy food and antique recipes, like long ago. From fish (cacciucco) to meat, from typical soups of vegetables and grains to bruschettas and crostini, from wild meat (the pappardelle pasta with wild boar is the dish of choice) to the desserts, all to be enjoyed with the area's excellent wines. Let yourselves be tempted by our flavours!
|
 |
The Costa degli Etruschi will seduce you with its excellent climate, with its colours, its scents, the alternating beaches and rolling hills, the countryside and the large spaces, the culture of welcoming and the exuberant and light-hearted nature of the Tuscan people, with its simple life still carried out according to traditions and values, the cuisine, summer events, coloured fests, romantic sunsets on the sea and the starry nights.
|