Sea, nature and free time
Only 8 kms separate il Palazzino from the sea that guests can admire from every room and corners of the house.
The beach at Marina di Bibbona offers a sandy coastline surrounded by an extensive pine forests. It's a quiet stretch of land, where you'll find both structured and free beaches.
The wide beach at Marina di Donoratico, a little further south, is also very beautiful, while a few kilometers towards Livorno take you to the famous Spiagge Bianche (White Beaches) of Vada.
​
Hiking
The town of Bibbona, which can also be reached on foot with a short walk through the countryside, is a characteristic medieval village with fortified walls, churches, and towers. Its Etruscan origins, templar mysteries, and the presence of Leonardo da Vinci enrich its history: click on the gallery to discover the curiosities of its small historic center.
The rolling hills behind the village offer unexpected views, such as the old windmill among the wheat fields. Wonderful walks or bike rides can be enjoyed in Bibbona's flora and fauna reserve: the Macchia della Magona.
A must-see destination, just 4 km from Bibbona, is the small village of Bolgheri: the famous tree-lined avenue celebrated by Carducci retains its charm intact and will lead you to the small and charming village, which, due to its popularity with tourists, offers a colorful array of restaurants and shops. Here you can taste the fine wines of some of the most famous wineries in the world.
From Bolgheri, it is definitely worth continuing south: the unspoiled countryside with its wonderful views will lead you to Castagneto Carducci, a charming fortress with ancient origins and an illustrious present.
Other small villages and castles await your visit, including Casale Marittimo (just 2.5 miles away) and the castle of Querceto.
Etruscan roads
Il Palazzino is a friend of the Etruscans. It has been since 1999, when the owners discovered that the hill on which the beautiful manor house stands was once inhabited, shaped, and colonized by these ancient people with their extraordinarily advanced customs.
Today, it is possible to visit some of the remains that form a small private archaeological park: at the heart of this place is a beautiful hypogeum carved into the rock, shaped like a cross and oriented according to the cardinal points. From the hypogeum, you can climb up an ancient road (via cava) that runs through a necropolis.
Inside the structure itself, the old cellars have also been restored to house the “Etruscherie” exhibition with reproductions of Etruscan objects, costumes, pottery, bronzes, and musical instruments.
Volterra, an Etruscan city
Now a lively tourist destination, Volterra was once one of the 12 city-states of the Etruscan confederation, and the territory of Bibbona also fell under its jurisdiction. It can be reached by traveling approximately 36 km of winding roads through the hills: the climb will be rewarded by the charm of this small city of art, where the mighty Etruscan walls, the medieval fortress, and the modern alabaster shops coexist indistinctly. After visiting Volterra, you can continue on to San Gimignano, which has now become a destination for international tourism.
Etruscan jewelry
In Volterra you'll be awed by the creations of Fabula Etrusca, a small jewelry craftshop nestled on top of the beautiful remains of a roman theater!
You'll be able to enjoy the view of Piazza dei Priori and visit the shops revolving around Volterra's most famous craft, which has been renowned for centuries: alabaster.
The first Etruscan museum in history was founded in this city: it is the Guarnacci Museum, rich in priceless masterpieces and famous for its collection of alabaster urns.
