The Maremma isn’t renowned for its untouched spoils for nothing. Experience verdant plains, thick forests, gorgeous beaches and rugged mountains without another soul in sight.

One of the things that originally drew me to the Maremma, and a fact my husband never fails to mention, is that the Maremma has every environment rolled into one. He’s not exaggerating either.

In one corner of the Maremma, the beautifully calm and pristine Argentario Sea laps on the coastline and onto the shores of the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. Here the landscape is covered in sturdy Mediterranean brush, which only gives way to Spanish watchtowers and beaches with sand so soft, you’ll think you’re dreaming. Especially if you manage to stumble across a deserted beach, and considering how many beaches there are in the Maremma, that’s not as hard as it sounds.

Underwater is a diver’s paradise. All of the Maremma’s dive sites, especially those around Giglio Island and Giannutri Island, are protected. You can only reach them if you swim, so you can imagine just how beautiful and natural these sites are.

	Scuba diving It’s just the Maremmani’s luck that the view is as good underwater as it is above it! Then again what did you expect from a region that dips its feet into the Tyrrhenian Sea?
	Sailing trips The Tuscan Archipelago is a beautiful mish mash of secluded beaches, rocky cliffs and impossibly small islands. It’s the Amalfi Coast of the Maremma and it’s truly a sight to behold.

As the sound of the waves gives way to the rush of the wind in the rolling hills of central Maremma, the landscape changes to verdant plains dotted with sunflowers. The European Union subsidises farmers who plant sunflowers for oil and the ever-industrious Maremmani have covered their fields in the vibrant blooms so that the entire countryside is awash in yellow almost all year round.

Between the fertile plains are great expanses of woodland. Here Maremma’s wildlife hide from predators, usually local hunters. Wild boar, hare, deer and hundreds of different bird species call these woodlands home. At the other end of the Maremma, far from the sea and the arable plains are the mountains. Monte Amiata and its gorgeous peaks. The mountain used to a volcano and the oaks and chestnuts that have sprung up on its slopes are a deep green colour, almost as dark as the soil they grow in.

On the weekends, the Maremmani sail their boats or while away the hours fishing on Bolsena Lake. One of the largest lakes of volcanic origin in Europe, Bolsena Lake is a refuge for locals seeking somewhere cool in the summer and an ever romantic spot for couples hoping to have a picnic together. Even if you don’t fish, you can rent a boat and row out onto the waters and soak up the cool air or go birdwatching along the lake’s fertile shores.

Fishing trips The Maremma is a truly fisherman’s bounty. Not only does it have three mountain rivers, the Vivo, Lente and Albegna, but it also has the plentiful Bolsena and Mezzano Lakes, and the Argentario Sea.

Where ever they are, the Maremmani take good care of their natural wonders. The environment is part of them, part of their culture and part of their heritage. They have been raised knowing how treat their environment with respect and are lovers of The Great Outdoors. For that, they have endless walking trails and biking tracks that wind their way through the countryside.

	Horseback riding tours Riding across the rolling hills of the Maremma with an expert guide, so you don’t get lost, soaking up the incredible countryside firsthand- sounds pretty close to paradise to me!
	Mountain bike excursions Whatever your skill level, these excursions really are the perfect way to spend an afternoon under the Tuscan sun, especially in summer.

Their nature parks are true sanctuaries. Here you can admire the region’s unique flora and fauna in complete peace and quiet. Many of the Maremma’s nature parks are also dotted with ancient ruins, so you get a bit of history along with your nature splendor.

Protected Parks and Nature Reserves It wouldn’t be too far fetched to say that the Maremma is one big nature park. Its endless stretches of countryside are simply spectacular – there is no other word for it.

The Maremma is truly an environment that you won’t forget in a hurry. It’s not so much the varied landscapes, the sea, the beaches, the lakes and forests, but just the complete sense of oneness that the Maremmani have with their home. This is Tuscany and the Maremma has the rolling hills you see in all the movies, but it also radiates this feeling of utter natural wonder. The Maremman landscape is untouched and unspoilt and once you see it, there’s a good chance that you’ll never want to go back inside.