Our region
Where we are
Our Apartments are located in Poggio Murella, a small village in southern Tuscany, in the province of Grosseto, which is part of the region called Maremma. Tuscany is located in central Italy, on the Mediterranean Sea (specifically: Tyrrhenian and Ligurian). As it is a truly rural area, it is best to reach us and get around by car. You can rent it at the airport or bring your own. Free street parking is available on site.
By air: the nearest airports served by international low-cost airlines (such as Ryanair and Wizzair) are: Rome Ciampino, Rome Fiumicino, Perugia, Pisa, Florence, Bologna. The best connection is from Rome, because there are the most flights, and the shortest route (thanks to the motorway).
- Closest big cities:
- Grosseto 60 km
- Rome 160 km
- Florence 180 km
- Siena 113 km
- Perugia 120 km
- Nearby towns:
- Saturnia 5 km
- Semproniano 9 km
- Sovana 20 km
- Sorano 20 km
- Pitigliano 23 km
- San Martino sul Fiora 9 km
- Seaside (Orbetello) 55 km
- Lago di Bolsena 50 km
Poggio Murella and surroundings
Poggio Murella is a small village set on a hill. It is inhabited by slightly less than 300 inhabitants. It has a great local vibe – people are nice, tourists are rare, and there are plenty of attractions nearby: hot springs, hiking trails, coastal beaches, ancient picturesque towns and beautiful countryside. This is the place where you can experience the true Italian dolce far niente.
Nature
Poggio Murella is located on a hill, from which there is a wonderful view of the whole area – cypress trees, fields, vineyards, oak groves. It is a mountainous area, so you can hike, for example, by the ancient Via Clodia route or ride a bike. Right next to our house there is the famous among cyclists Muro del Pirata route – 3 kilometers uphill, with a maximum gradient of 22%. A few minutes by car there are the iconic Terme di Saturnia, where you can take a bath all year round. It is also a paradise for ornithologists and fauna fans – Tuscany is the only place in Europe where you can meet a porcupine in its natural habitat. You can also go in search of truffles. The sandy beaches of the Mediterranean are less than an hour’s drive from us – it’s worth taking a short trip there, and visit Orbetello and the Monte Argentario peninsula with its charming towns: Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano. The picturesque Lago di Bolsena can also be reached in an hour.
Sightseeing
Tuscany is a land that owes its origins to the Etruscans, i.e. the ancient inhabitants of today’s Apennine Peninsula. Although these extraordinary people were conquered and absorbed by the Romans, many tombs or towns established at that time have survived to this day. We recommend visiting: Città del Tufo, i.e. around Pitigliano, Sorano, Sovana, Montemerano, Semproniano, Montalcino, Scansano, and also Vulci. A noteworthy city is also the capital of the region, i.e. Grosseto, which has Etruscan origin and was then expanded by the Medici.
Cuisine
The food, like in Italy, is simple and delicious. The Maremma region is rich in local products, including cheeses, olive oil and wine, especially from the Sangiovese variety. Due to the presence of many wild animals, dishes based on venison are often served, such as ragù di cinghiale. A very characteristic dish is also ravioli ricotta e spinaci, i.e. dumplings stuffed with spinach and cheese, topped with sage butter. Tuscany is also known for its truffle-based products, in Italian tartufo. Interestingly, Tuscan bread does not contain salt. Of course, you can’t miss pizza, which in this area is rather Roman than Neapolitan, so it’s lighter and crispier – but no less tasty! In our neighborhood we recommend: the pizzeria Lo Scangeo and the pizzeria Da Gigo e Licia. You can also visit the vineyards in the area and try the local wine varieties. A typical Italian breakfast: coffee and a cornetto (croissant) – with apricot or pistachio filling – is a must have every morning. For this purpose, we recommend visiting our Bar Centrale in Poggio, the meeting point of the local community and the center of the village. It is also where the traveling salesmen of fresh fruit, vegetables and fish stop several times a week. There is a grocery store in Poggio Murella and the nearest COOP supermarket is located in Manciano, 20 minutes drive from us.
Terme di Saturnia
Only a few minutes from our apartments you can find the iconic, natural hot springs, known as Terme di Saturnia, and more precisely Cascate del Mulino, because this is where the old mill and hot water terraces are located. According to legend, the cascades were created when Jupiter, in a fight with Saturn, hurled lightning. According to geologists, however, thermal waters are formed in the vicinity of the Monte Amiata volcano, where rainwater is heated underground and then, enriched with minerals, flows to the surface. The water in the thermal baths is about 37 degrees Celsius, due to the content of minerals it has a blue color. Sulfur present in the water has a characteristic smell, which, however, is not bothersome. There is a paid car park nearby, while the cascades themselves are free and available to visitors all year round, both day and night.
Further excursions
Poggio Murella is also a great starting point for further trips. You can go to Arezzo, famous for its flea market organized on the first weekend of the month. In addition, we encourage you to take a trip to Val d’Orcia, a picturesque valley in which there is, among others, the famous Gladiator path, as well as towns such as Pienza, Montalcino and Siena. Consider a trip to Florence or Rome, great historic cities that need no introduction. In addition, it’s worth going on a cruise to one of the islands: Isola del Giglio or Elba. In Tuscany, it is impossible to be bored. Unless that’s what you’re looking for.
