yes, you heard us. tuscany is the new destination of choice for thrillseekers
adventuring is not the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of tuscany. incredible wine, world class cheese, and pasta worthy of dreams? yes. scaling vertical cliffaces at dizzying heights? not so much. but in recent years, the region of tuscany has become a hotspot for thrillseekers.
on a milder level, there’s horseback riding, cycling, and nature walks. venture out to some of the quieter seaside towns and travellers will find plenty of options for sailing, surfing, kayaking, windsurfing. since the 70s, forte dei marmi has enjoyed a vibrant surf culture. according to photographer tommaso pardini in an interview for the inertia, “the people of tuscany say they were the first to surf in italy, but the people from liguria say the same thing”. regardless, the waves of forte dei marmi are actual owed to the town’s marble industry. a popular shipping port, many large marble blocks would fall from ships, settling on the beach and creating artificial breaks today.
for the more extreme adrenaline junkies, canyoning is hugely popular in the region. there’s orrido di botri, a deep limestone gorge that’s one of the largest in the area. a nature reserve since 1971, the canyon is virtually untouched, with clear streams and a wealth of natural wildlife. rio selvano is another popular option, just outside florence. immersed in a lush green forest, canyoners can make their way across pools, slide down rocks, or climb up vertical cliff faces.
the tuscan archipelago is often overlooked by holidaymakers, but can offer a quieter experience to the mainland. made up of ten islands, snorkelling, diving, and biking are popular across all of them. capraia, the volcanic island, offers magnificent mountain views and the opportunity to interact with incredible wildlife. elba, the largest and most populated of the islands, hosted napolean in exile and is known for its beautiful beaches. pianosa, still a working prison site today, boasts a roman village and some incredible archaeological sites. divers can experience an underwater paradise as they explore the remains of ancient villages.
