The Maremma’s symbolic capital is one of my absolute favourite places to explore. For us, it’s as cosmopolitan as it gets and I love spending my weekends strolling the main strip, looking through the bookshops and jewellery stores.

I don’t need to convince you to visit Grosseto. It’s on the top of most people’s travel lists anyway, but I thought I would share a few insider tips so you can discover the real beauty hiding in this Southern Tuscan town.

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Photo: Nadia Fondelli

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Grosseto‘s oldest locals will tell you the town was built by the Americans after WWII. As bittersweet as that sounds, it’s not entirely true. Grosseto has a history that can be traced all the way back to the Etruscans, but the majority of its buildings and monuments are little more than 200 years old. That said, they have their own New World charm and nuance.

The town hosts a multitude of events from theatre shows to concerts and comedy acts. There’s always something on, so check in with the tourist information centre for more.

Do

Grosseto has enough to keep even the most avid tourist busy. For a little retail therapy, hit Corso Italia for a great range of chain stores and local boutiques. Otherwise walk around and behind Piazza Dante (pictured above), to find jewellery shops and artisan shoemakers.

If you’re more of a history buff, Grosseto has the Maremma’s best museums from the stellar archeology museum with its vast Etruscan and Roman collection to the natural history museum, home to Sandrone, a prehistoric man. If you want to see where most of the museum’s relics came from, head to Roselle, an Etruscan settlement turned outdoor museum just outside the city.

The naturists will adore the Parco della Maremma, a huge nature park within Grosseto’s borders. The park has a handful of walking, cycling and horse riding tracks and often hosts guided night walks. While if all you want is beach, the Marina di Grosseto is a local favourite.

Eat

Grosseto is home to my all time favourite gelateria, Gelateria 0564, where homemade gelatos come in such luscious flavours as chocolate and chilli and fig! In the same piazza is Il Canapone, one of the Maremma’s oldest restaurants. Mentioned in the 2016 Michelin guide, this eatery is all about Maremman fare with a luxurious twist.

Sleep (+ Eat)

If you want good food that is also good for you, head outside of Grosseto to nearby Braccagni. Here you’ll find the Country Resort Guadalupe. This post is being sponsored by them, but that doesn’t make their food any less delicious.

The Country Resort Guadalupe is a gorgeous property with pastel coloured apartments and suites. It’s in the middle of the countryside, which is extremely satisfying if you’re looking for someplace tranquil that’s still close to the beach and to Grosseto.

The resort’s ethos is very much natural. You are surrounded by a working farm. The family make its own organic olive oil and grows the fruits and vegetables used in the restaurant kitchen and breakfast buffet. They’re also currently research native grains and legumes, stuff that isn’t grown elsewhere and which they hope to revive in an effort to maintain the Maremma’s culinary heritage.

The restaurant is beautiful, so is the pool, but what I love about the resort is the way it captures the spirit of the Maremma without losing the luxury you want in an accommodation. A lot of places use the Maremman-style as a poor excuse for bad design choices or antiquated furniture, but you still feel like you’re being pampered while embracing Southern Tuscany here.

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Escape

If you are staying at the resort, don’t spent the entire trip by the pool, however tempting. The Country Resort Guadalupe is a cycling resort, which means they have all the facilities cyclists’ need as well as bike rental services and tour guides if you want to explore your beautiful surroundings.

This post is in collaboration with the Country Resort Guadalupe

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