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Glamorous seaside getaways in pretty coastal towns and bustling cities where the sand is soft and white, the seas are crystal clear and the food is fresh and delicious, are one of the things that best sell Italy as a holiday destination for many. As the country has such a long coastline and several stunning islands, there is endless choice in beaches and seaside locations.

However, there are always some beaches and locations that are going to be more desirable, and have more to offer, than others. In our last article, we discussed two such beaches: the very famous and world-renowned Rabbit Beach, on the island of Lampedusa off the coast of Sicily, and the beaches of Trani, a lovely town known as the “Pearl of Puglia”. There are plenty of others worth mentioning so we have prepared more of our favourite picks to help you plan the perfect coastal vacation in Italy!

The seaside of city Piombino is one of the many gems that dots the Tuscan Coast. While the coast in Tuscany is not as famous as other stretches along the sea in Italy – particularly the beloved and trendy Amalfi Coast – it is equally beautiful and its towns boast incredibly untouched beaches, nature reserves, great facilities and wonderful views.

Piombino has long been a famous port town and naval base and offers all of the above. In particular, it really has the wonderful views covered with stunning vistas out onto the Tuscan Archipelago and the islands that make it up. Just find a villa rental in Piombino and come see its soul-soothing views for yourself while you have a perfect holiday in this charming Tuscan seaside resort.

Over on Tuscany Villas, we have covered the famous bath and spa towns of Tuscany pretty extensively. The region is home to a rather surprising number of beautiful towns that boast naturally-occurring thermal springs and around these long-standing tourist attractions large-scale wellness and spa industries have developed, making said towns the perfect place to head to if you have found a vacation rental in Tuscany and are looking to unwind and pamper yourself. However, while there are plenty of pretty spa towns with great resources to choose from, if you are looking for something less picturesque and more cinematic, if you are looking for something more unique, then we recommend heading to Larderello and the Valle del Diavolo, or the, “Devil's Valley.”

Located in Pomarance, a hilltop medieval town that is situated between Volterra and Massa Marittima, Larderello has been famous for, and attracting visitors to, its hot springs and its rather unique volcanic nature since the time of the Ancient Romans. If you have found a vacation rental in Volterra or a vacation rental in Massa Marittima and you're looking to get off the regular tourist routes to find something a little more special, then we definitely suggest a visit to Larderello. Do keep in mind, however, that it really is a unique place in Tuscany and does not look at all like the Tuscany that most imagine: in place of rolling green hillscapes and historic little villages, you will be confronted with bubbling, steaming lunar landscapes more akin to the scenery one might imagine in Hell and a modernised town where the harnessing of geothermal energy is the primary industry and the five giant cement towers of a thermal plant dominate the skyline.

The working of alabaster is a long-standing tradition in the picturesque town of Volterra in Pisa,Tuscany. This unique craft has been a profitable commodity for Volterra since the time of the Etruscans who used alabaster to make urns and in creating capitals, tabernacles, vases and other works of art. Luckily, there are plentiful natural deposits of the precious stone in the area. Furthermore, the alabaster of the area is considered one of the most precious around the world given its particular compactness, transparency, veins and hardness. The extraction, carving and trade of alabaster has brought fame and prosperity to the town throughout its history, allowing it to become one of the most beautiful towns in the entire region.

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Tuscany's cuisine is impossibly famous worldwide but while the savoury food is more well-known, Tuscany is also home to plenty of delicious treats, amazing pastries, tasty snacks and wonderful cakes. Many were originally and traditionally only made for special occasions and during the key religious holidays of the year such as Easter and Christmas but, today, they can be sought out and purchased whenever you want.