A weekday is the right opportunity to take a trip to the most characteristic places in Tuscany without being oppressed by the Sunday crowds. There are many beautiful and little known itineraries, but today I want to tell you about a great classic, which I really like and always recommend as a day trip from Borgo4case: the excursion to Casale Marittimo and Bolgheri.
I suggest to leave from Borgo4case around 10 in the morning by car to take the A12 motorway towards Pisa / Livorno and continue beyond Collesalvetti and Rosignano on the Via Aurelia SS1Bis up to the Cecina city center exit.
At the first roundabout follow the signs for Montescudaio on SP29 and then Guardistallo SP28. When the road begins to climb you can enjoy a magnificent forested landscape with a mix of oaks and beech trees with sudden breaks to the surrounding hills and plain.
A first stop in Montescudaio allows to walk in the ancient village where on the central downhill road you will meet on the right a stone arch that leads to the top of the hill, unfortunately today occupied by the aqueduct : you can still enjoy on one side the view towards the sea and on the other the roofs of the village below and the hinterland. Continue by car on the SP28 to reach Guardistallo in a few minutes for a coffee break at the Bolgheri cafe and a quick glance at the small historical center.
But the highlight of the day awaits us a few miles later in Casale Marittimo, a charming medieval village beautifully restored in a dominant position with a breathtaking view all around and on the Tyrrhenian islands. The parking lot here is wide and the walk begins passing next to the Church to continue downhill towards the castle and the main square (Piazza del Popolo). Several bars and restaurants will welcome you here for an aperitif and a frugal snack or for a respectable lunch for the heartiest appetites. Alas, as I am among these gourmands , I’d like to suggest you the tavern “l’Impronta” where they amazed me with the ravioli with ricotta and spinach flavored with gorgonzola, pears and walnuts sauce and a wild boar steak with Lardo di Colonnata!!! All washed down with the excellent red wine Bolgheri “Caccia al piano”. Overwhelmed by guilt, I had to pass on the desserts. Paola, me and our friends chose a table inside the tavern because of the strong wind, but we went up on the terrace to take pictures: the view is beautiful. Do not miss to go down the stairs that descend from the square to discover ravines and unique and evocative views. Here too there are hospitable and typical restaurants.
Leaving Casale, we continue past Bibbona on the SP16A towards Bolgheri, crossing the region of the famous Tignanello and Sassicaia vineyards, and we reach the San Guido road made famous by Carducci’s poetry. The Castle of Bolgheri awaits us a few hundred meters on the left for a walk and a wine tasting with snacks in one of the bistros. For enology enthusiasts it is a must to continue on the “via provinciale Bolgherese” SP16A in the direction of Castagneto Carducci for a stop at the wine shop of Tenuta Guado al Tasso-Antinori or Ornellaia farm or Tenuta Di Vaira. Here you will discover special atmospheres made of history, passion and selected products unique in the world as well as extraordinary people.
We have traveled no more than 150 km to get here and every time I follow this road I always live new emotions. Also this time it will remain a unique and unforgettable experience of knowledge of the territory, of the history and of the oenological traditions of Tuscany. After a day full of emotions, colors and aromas you can surely anticipate the pleasant return to Borgo4case to relax comfortably at home, and enjoy the evening by tasting one of the new wines just bought, sitting on the porch or in the Stalletta house in front of the fireplace.
See you at the next excursion.
