Crystal clear waters and wild horses, intimate inlets and "macchia mediterranea", the fragrances and flavours of a land that leaves its mark. The Maremma, Tuscany's green heart, is a marvellous combination of green parks and azure sea. To visit here is to delve into centuries of history in the bewitching - and often wild - woods, valleys, mountains, sea, rivers and old towns.
The green splendour of the Maremma in Tuscany reaches is climax on the Argentario promontory, which has two of the finest bathing towns on the Tyrrhenean coast: Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole.
The cuisine of the Maremma is deliciously simple. Typical dishes include its signature l'acquacotta, a simple, rustic vegetable soup; scaveccio, fried eel with garlic and chilli softened in vinegar; pappardelle with hare, a type of pasta that by itself makes a trip here worthwhile. The land of the Maremma is also rich with game: wild boar, hare and pheasant feature regularly on the menu. Other offerings include subtle but strong fish dishes, soups and bruschetta drenched in extra-virgin olive oil, innumerable cheeses and high quality wines. The produce of the vineyards and olive groves here is outstanding. Ansonica, Vermentina, Malvasia, Morellino, Ciliegolo and Meatico are just some of the local DOC wines.
Visitors here can follow any one of the many gastronomic itineraries. The pleasant Colli di Maremma wine route has some of Tuscany's best red wines in Morellino di Scansano, Monteregio-Massa Marittima and Montecucco.