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National Geographic
27-04-2025
- National Geographic
How to plan a multi-generational vacation to Maremma in Tuscany
Medieval hilltop towns, an unspoilt coastline and steamy hot springs make the Maremma region ideal for multi-generational holidays. This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Southern Tuscany offers a quieter, more authentic escape to big-hitters such as Lucca and Siena, with a landscape defined by rolling vineyards, medieval hilltop towns and an unspoilt coastline. The Maremma region is an ideal base for multi-generational stays, and yet it's still easily accessible from Florence to the north and Rome to the south in about two hours by car. Whether you seek luxury, adventure or relaxation, this pocket of Southern Tuscany delivers an unforgettable experience for all generations. Saturnia hot springs The highlight of any trip, these naturally occurring hot springs were regarded as a gift from the gods by the Romans and Etruscans. They can be enjoyed for free at the Cascate del Mulino. Arrive at dawn to see the sun rise while bathing in the mineral-rich, 37.5C sulphurous springs; bring shoes as the pools' mineral deposits can be sharp on the feet. Families with teens might want to trade up for the luxury experience at the Terme di Saturnia Resort, which has sunloungers by the water and spa treatments. Feniglia beach Plan for a day at this free beach, one of two strips of sand connecting the Argentario peninsula to the mainland. It's part of the eastern lagoon within the protected area that bears the same name: the Duna Feniglia Nature Reserve. A forest of centuries-old maritime pines runs along the beach for four miles, with restaurants and beach bars dotted along the coastline. Head to the centre of the beach for the softest sand and clearest water. Sartomare boasts a large infinity pool, treehouse, football field, tennis court, gym and more on a 75-acre estate along Tuscany's southern coast. Photograph by Carlo Alberto Conti Etruscan tombs Step into a real-life Indiana Jones adventure at the Etruscan tombs in the city of Tarquinia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, in the Necropoli dei Monterozzi, history unfolds in a series of underground chambers with well-preserved 2,500-year-old frescoes. Vivid paintings of banquets, musicians, dancers and mythical creatures offer a rare glimpse into the ancient world. A compact site, it's easy to navigate and an immersive experience for families. Wine-tasting for adults Southern Tuscany's prestigious hilltop winemaking towns of Montalcino and Montepulciano are just inland from Maremma. While vineyard tours might not work for families, some villa agencies can organise private, in-villa group tasting sessions with Tuscan winemakers. The adults get to learn about the viticulture traditions of local family-run and organic farms, while kids can come and go as they please, dipping into wine-pairing snacks. Set on a 75-acre estate along the southern Tuscan coast, Sartomare is a fully staffed private retreat with sweeping 360-degree views of Maremma and Argentario. There's plenty of space for multi-generational families or groups to spread out; the grounds include a large infinity pool, treehouse, football field, tennis court, gym and an outdoor pizza oven, while inside there's a kids' playroom and seven bedrooms, including five with en suite bathrooms. It's around a two-hour drive from both Rome and Florence. Prices start at £23,800 per week. Published in the May 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK) To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
National Geographic
21-03-2025
- National Geographic
8 of Europe's best beginner hikes
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Tempted by the idea of hiking holidays but worry they'll be too gruelling? Here are eight beginner-friendly hikes that are less about endurance and more about the simple pleasures of the Great Outdoors. Some will take you just a few hours, others last several days. But regardless of which you choose to tackle, each has been chosen for their combination of easy terrain, well-maintained paths and spectacular surroundings. Just be sure you're properly shod before you start. A pair of well-fitted walking boots, appropriate for your hike and chosen with the help of an experienced shop assistant, will save you a world of pain once you get going. (Essential day-hiking gear, from trail clothing to clever backpacks.) 1. Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Italy Length: 5.5 miles Time: 3-4 hours In the mountains, hikers have a simple rule of thumb: the best views come on the biggest walks. Unless, that is, you're walking the Tre Cime di Lavaredo circuit in the Italian Dolomites. It girdles three of the most gobsmacking walls of shattered rock you'll ever clap eyes on — and yet the path is broad and steady throughout, with each ascent carefully paced. It begins and ends at a series of car parks by the Rifugio Auronzo (access is controlled and there's a fee to pay as well) — and from there you can walk either way. It's also served by bus from Auronzo. Hike it in June or September to avoid the high-summer crowds and bring a pair of telescopic hiking poles if you're tackling it in June, in case there's still snow on the path. You don't want to slip as you stare, slack-jawed, at the extraordinary scenery. When the right weather conditions prevail, the route to Riomaggiore can be a scenic trip with heavenly views. Photograph by Carlo Alberto Conti, Getty Images 2. Sentiero Azzurro, Italy Length: 8 miles Time: 2-3 days Most hikers could complete the whole coast-hugging length of the Sentiero Azzurro — from Monterosso to Riomaggiore — in one short but intense day of walking. But why would you want to chew through such a magnificent route in a few hours? Linking the five villages of Liguria's famous Cinque Terre, this narrow path is a route to savour, getting the walking done early in the day to avoid any crowds, then taking your time over lunch, boat trips and sea swims during the rest of the day. July and August are best avoided on account of both the heat and the overtourism. But that's no bother, because the weather is already balmy in April and can stay warm till October. On a sunny day, the sense of height and space is so intense, you'll think you're peering over the edge of a cloud. Bring walking poles if you're at all unsteady on your feet, check beforehand if your chosen sections of path are open (landslides can close them) and don't forget to buy a path permit. You can catch a train from any the five villages when you're done. 3. The Chemin de Puy, France Length: 40 miles Time: 4 days Don't worry, we're not suggesting you hike the full 457 miles of this pilgrim's trail, which links the French town of Puy-en-Velay with the Camino de Santiago in Spain. We've cherry-picked a short section through rural Gascony, starting in Éauze, where the land is rich and green, the gentle hills easily tackled and the food and wine always tempting. You do, however, need to walk it the wrong way — against the flow of hikers — so that your final goal is the loveliest town on the route. For three miles before you reach it, hilltop Lectoure beckons you along leafy lanes and between rolling wheat fields. Once there, expect to be greeted by an ensemble of cafes, boulangeries and medieval walls. The other stops — Montréal-du-Gers, Condom, La Romieu — are all ancient and lovely, too, and, because the route is covered by France's GR65 long-distance footpath, it's served by excellent online mapping. Agen is the key railway station — linked by bus or taxi to both Éauze and Lectoure. Walking along Hadrian's Wall is a treat for history buffs, passing ancient ruins and archeological sites. Photograph by Roy James Shakespeare, Getty Images 4. Hadrian's Wall, England Length: 21 miles Time: 4-5 days For hikers with a penchant for history, the central section of Hadrian's Wall, from Birdoswald to Chollerford is a long and continuous treat, packed with evocative ruins, mind-expanding archaeology and an ever-present sense of communion with the people who garrisoned the frontier. It is also, by upland standards, easy-going. The long-distance trail that follows the wall is well-maintained and is shadowed by a lower, flatter route when the ridge line dips and rolls too steeply. Peppered with B & Bs, the path offers plenty of places to break the journey while the 681 and AD122 bus services connect you to railway stations on the Carlisle to Newcastle line. Just remember to keep each day's walking short. That way you'll have time to explore key sites and museums, as well as diverting south to the fort at Vindolanda — Britain's richest trove of Roman remains, it's still producing extraordinary evidence after nearly 60 years of excavations. 5. Stockholm Archipelago Trail, Sweden Length: 6 miles Time: 2 days All told, this extraordinary island-hopping trail covers 168 miles across 21 islands in the Stockholm Archipelago. But thanks to excellent ferry services it's easy to pick out a section or two from the list and add an outdoorsy extension to a Stockholm city break. The island of Grinda is the obvious choice. About 90 minutes from the city's quay at Strömkajen, it's far enough out to deter most day-trippers, but also home to the Wärdshuset, a pretty guesthouse and restaurant for anyone who needs a longer escape. So, if you book far enough in advance, you'll enjoy understated, Scandi-style comfort after your walk. Come in June or July, avoid the weekends and bring your bathers. The footpath around the island serves up forested bluffs, smooth, half-submerged boulders and sheltered little bays perfect for swimming. Boats putter, seabirds swoop and you'll wish you could stay a whole week. 6. Heidschnuckenweg, Germany Length: 30 miles Time: 3 days Voted Germany's most beautiful hike in 2014, this 'Trail of the Heath Sheep' is also one of its easiest. For 136 miles it explores the long, north-south strip of the Lüneburg and Southern Heaths — with no hill higher than 555ft and the path broad and sandy for most of its length. Hike it in mid to late August when the heather blooms and turns the landscape into a sea of lilac, but don't feel obliged to go the full distance. The three-day stretch provided by stages 3 to 5, from Handeloh to Bispingen, offers a lovely taster — with rail access at either end and some serene villages en route for overnight stops. None, however, are quite as soothing as car-free Wilsede. You'll probably stop for lunch here on day two and, for a brief and blissful moment, it'll seem like you've hiked out of the 21st century altogether. 'Heischnuckenweg' is known as one of Germany's most scenic hikes. Photograph by Markus Gebauer, Getty Images 7. Lechweg, Austria Length: 77 miles Times: 8-10 days How do you have a multi-day hiking holiday in the Alps that doesn't strain every sinew? Simple: you follow a river downstream. And not just any river. This 77-mile trail follows the Lech — one of the wildest watercourses in central Europe, which floods with snowmelt every spring and has carved out a landscape of gravel banks and floodplains that look more Canadian than Austrian. On your hike, two magnificent walls of mountain will be your companions as you descend the valley, through forests, meadows and over dramatic suspension bridges. A combination of train and bus will get you from Zurich or Innsbruck airports to the mountain town of Lech, while Reutte's railway station is a good place to catch a train to Munich for the journey home. 8. Hallin Fell, England Length: one mile Time: one hour For a family-friendly hike, try Hallin Fell. Set halfway along Ullswater in the Lake District National Park, it's all but a mound compared with Helvellyn's glowering massif nearby. You can drive a third of the way up it, too, but that just adds to the sense of drama. It begins with the switchback road up to the car park, continues with a short but breathtakingly steep ascent through 500 vertical feet and finishes with a dizzy, 360-degree view of open water, round-topped fells and busy Cumbrian skies. And even with the obligatory snack stops, you'll all be at the top in half an hour. The smooth grassy path means it can be tackled in wellies or grippy trainers, too. For those without a car, the Ullswater Steamer service from Pooley Bridge to Howtown offers even more exciting access, though it does double the length of the walk. National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click To subscribe to(UK) magazine click here . (Available in select countries only). Unlimited Access for Less Subscribe now and save $10 SUBSCRIBE
