Exploring Follonica: Tuscan Hospitality, Seaside Charm, and Culinary Delights

Hello, dearest friends,

This post is somewhat a continuation of yesterday’s one. I spent a few days at my friend's place on vacation as her guest. Later, she took me to visit some other friends of hers who live in Follonica, in the heart of the Tuscan Maremma.

We took the opportunity to go for a walk along the seafront of Follonica, one of the most beloved seaside destinations for local Tuscan tourists.

I must say, the sea has its charm even in winter. In fact, it might even be more fascinating in the colder season because there are fewer people around. There was a beautiful pedestrian promenade, very welcoming for those walking or cycling. In summer, from what I could see, the beach is equipped with bathing establishments where you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas. In short, there are all the conveniences you might want when spending a day at the beach.

What I love about this part of Tuscany and its beaches is that they’re often surrounded by pine forests and Mediterranean scrub. In summer especially, this offers a perfect refuge from the heat and intense sun typical of these areas.

It’s always so wonderful and relaxing to take a stroll, and I imagine living close to the sea here must be equally delightful.

Follonica is certainly an excellent base for exploring the surroundings, like the Tuscan Maremma and the Grosseto coastline. It’s also ideal for savoring the delicious food that Tuscany has to offer.

In fact, my friend insisted on taking me to a place managed by one of her dearest friends. It’s one of those typical restaurants with a classic Tuscan atmosphere. In my opinion, if you come to Tuscany, you must experience dining in such places. It doesn’t feel like being in a formal restaurant but rather like being among family and friends.

As you can see from the photos, I got to enjoy the exquisite Tuscan Florentine steak that her friend grilled for us. He was incredibly kind to prepare it even though we arrived quite late, and the restaurant had already closed. This is a perfect example of the great hospitality of Tuscan people.

After indulging in this delicious meat and probably drinking a few too many glasses of wine, I honestly don’t remember much of what happened next! But I’m happy to share these photos with you, and I’ll catch you in the next post.