Castiglioncello

Castiglioncello is a frazione of the comune of Rosignano Marittimo, in the province of Livorno, Tuscany, Italy. 

It stands on a promontory reaching out into the Tyrrhenian Sea, surrounded by pinewoods and hills that fall right down to the sea forming cliffs, little inlets, coves and sandy beaches. 

The area was inhabited in Etruscan and Roman times, as attested by the presence of an ancient necropolis. The Medici Grand Dukes of Tuscany had a watch tower built here in the 17th century.

Castiglioncello was a renowned sea resort since the 19th century. People who built their residence here includeLuigi Pirandello, Marcello Mastroianni, Luchino Visconti and Vittorio Gassman.

An artistic movement of the 19th century, called Macchiaioli, with painters like Giovanni Fattori, Silvestro Lega, Telemaco Signorini and others, chose this village, because of its beauty, as an inspirational source for their work.

Source: Wikipedia

Our two weeks in Castiglioncello were filled with really, really good see food, rich wine and relaxing times. The spaghetti vongole and scolio was to die for! The girls, age 3 and 5, ate pizza Margerita almost every day and just loved it. 

In the shade of the pinewoods was a playground, mary go round and other stuff for children. 

Unfortunately all the best beaches were private and rented out for the season and this was a bit disappointing for all of us. 

From Castiglioncello we traveled by train to Lucca, Pisa and Florence. The train standard varied from excellent too really hot and poor so water and activities was a must. But parents with small children are used to come prepared. One of the tip highlights was bicycling in Lucca.   

Florence

Lucca

Pinewoods of Castiglioncello