Tuscany Kayaking Adventure

Your guides will meet you in the lobby of our hotel near Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport. (FCO) After introductions and brief orientation we will head to a local restaurant for some fine Roman food and a further discussion of the trip details.

After breakfast we depart for the 90 minute drive northeast into the Maremma region of Tuscany. Launching our kayaks near the harbor of picturesque Porto Sant'Ercole, we dip our paddles into the clear waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Setting out along the coast of the Monte Argentario, we pass the imposing walls of Fortress Filippo, one of three fortresses built in the 16th century to guard the harbor from pirates. Gliding through crystalline blue water along the peninsula’s steep cliffs, we explore sea caves and have a view of the southern most islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. After a swim and a beach picnic, we return to Porto Sant'Ercole and then go for celebratory gelato. Our hotel is located in the village of Orbetello which dates to the Etruscan era. Dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant that specializes in the cuisine of Maremma, including Tortello maremmano and Scottiglia, a local stew specialty.

Today’s paddle starts in colorful Porto Santo Stefano, paddling the harbor dominated by a Spanish fortress built to defend the Port against the Barbary Pirates. Rounding Punta Lividonia, we continue along Monte Argentario’s rugged north coast. Skirting the shoreline, we explore sea caves and land at small beaches only accessible from the water. After the paddle back to Porto Santo Stefano, we’ll return to the hotel, then head out for a walk in the ancient village of Talamone before a seafood dinner at a local restaurant.

After packing up, we take a 70 minute scenic drive northwest through the Maremma countryside to the old Etruscan port of Piombino, where we board the ferry to Isola d'Elba. Arriving on the Island, we stop for lunch before heading out for the first of several memorable paddling legs. From Porto Azzurro to Ortano and then on to Rio Marina, we’ll kayak through exquisitely clear turquoise blue water, passing the two parks of Monte Arco and Monte Fico. After our return, there will time to relax at the hotel in Porto Azzurro before heading out to dine at a local restaurant.

Heading to the town of Portoferraio, we’ll visit Napoleon’s villa that was his home during his exile on the island and is now a museum. We’ll launch in town to paddle Elba’s beautiful north coast, characterized by dramatic cliffs, fringed by sandy beaches and dotted with small villages. Dinner this evening is the freshest seafood served al fresco at the water’s edge.

Starting on the sandy beach at Lacona, we’ll paddle around the prominent headland extending south of town. After gliding through the clear turquoise waters along cliff faces, we’ll stop at a remote beach for a swim before continuing on to the beautiful little village of Morcone for lunch. Paddling on, we’ll explore the small Genini islands and Elba’s southernmost headland before landing a Innamorata. On the way back to Porto Azzuro, we visit the splendid medieval town of Capolivri.

Today we depart Elba and immerse ourselves in the beauty of Val d'Orcia, the World Heritage Site that has some of the most iconic scenery on the planet. Celebrated by artists of the Renaissance, Val d'Orcia continues to attract painters and photographers to this day. Lunch is served in the picture-perfect town of Pienza, a masterpiece of 15th century design and a World Heritage Site in its own right. We wrap up the day at Bagno Vignoni. Before a classic Tuscan meal on the town square, there will be time enjoy a soak in the town's natural hot springs that have attracted visitors since Roman times.

We’ll have breakfast and enjoy the morning light in Bagno Vignoni before journeying on to our next paddling destination, the volcanic crater lake of Lago di Bolsena. Paddling the 44 square mile lake provides us views of villages and castles amid the surrounding hill as well as glimpses of a diverse range of resident and migratory birds. After checking into our hotel in Bolsena, there will be time to wander the town and visit Rocca Monaldeschi castle before we set off for a special dinner in the medieval hill-top town of Civita di Bagnoregio. Sunset views of the countryside and Lago di Bolsena provide a perfect backdrop for the celebration of our journey through hidden Tuscany.

After breakfast we’ll board our van for the drive to Rome Fiumicino airport (FCO) with an expected arrival late morning (11am to 12 noon). The airport offers easy connections to flights home and the Leonardo Express non-stop train service to Roma Centrale. Arrivederci!