You might think that with so many tempting beaches on the Amalfi Coast that I wouldn’t dream of traveling anywhere else to hit the beach in Italy. But I have to admit that the white, sandy beaches of Tuscany have always been alluring to me. Especially this time of year when the massive Amalfi Coast August crowds are just around the corner! Katie Greenaway recently had a weekend escape from the summer heat in Florence to one of Tuscany’s pretty beaches, and today she’s stopped by to share about it with us.

Welcome, Katie!

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I recently encountered an area of Italy that I’ve always wanted to see with my very own eyes.  This is the area of Grosseto which is located in southern Tuscany along the western coast.  I was fortunate to spend a weekend in the area south of Grosseto near the sea at Monte Argentario. 

Monte Argentario is a mountainous pennisula that darts off the coast of Italy with two ports,  Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole.  I stayed on a camping ground just 10 minutes from these ports called Giannella Camping.

Monte Argentario from from La Giannella Beach

La Giannella is the name of the nearest beach.  It was never crowded and there was always a breeze.  The water was calm in the morning, with one wave after another ever so slowly crumbling to the shore.  As the day moved on the waves got a bit larger and wind picked up.  How blissful to have cool air instead of hot air like in Florence! 

Quiet La Giannella Beach

The sand is the what I am used to.  It is the sand that sticks to you and burns your feet without shoes.  After a weekend at the beach, I still am finding sand in my shoes and clothes.  Life at the beach!

Sandy beaches at La Giannella

I found this beach so relaxing and not at all too crowded, as some beaches are in Italy this time of year.  We had our own space and no loud people around us, which led to a very peaceful afternoon of napping under the hot Italian summer sun.  Book in hand and just the waves to calm you. 

It was a great weekend with friends with relaxation as our guide. 

Sunset Bliss at La Giannella Beach

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Katie Greenaway is a freelance travel writer and is the Local Expert of Florence for Nile Guide where she also provides the secrets of Florence on her blog.  She writes about her life in Florence on her personal blog Olio di Oliva e Sogni di Vino and contributes to MNUI Travel Insurance with travel articles.