A Tuscan hideaway in Civitella Marittima

My sprinter son qualified for the U23 Italian track & field championships. This year’s edition was held in Grosetto, Tuscany. Because we booked late, everything in this Tuscan town was fully booked.

Having been to Grosetto’s fabulous track for earlier races, I decided to seek out something new. I started looking for hotels further inland and fell upon the Locanda nel Cassero in the tiny town of Civitella Marittima, also known as Civitella Paganico.

This was an ideal location – an easy drive into Grosetto and its tracek, but so peaceful and quite nestled in the Tuscan counryside.

We loved staying here. with its quiet streets, the only sound from the bells clanging out the hours at the local church.

We had a great terrace, overlooking the hillsides around, and I enjoyed eating breakfast here and watching the swallows arcing through the sky.

The restaurant beneath our hotel was also excellent, and we enjoyed dining here in the evenings, watching the sun setting on Tuscany.

This was a great location, halfway between Grosetto and Siena – so we were able to enjoy both sports and culture during out long weekend here.

An excellent find, will definitely return to this idyllic corner of Tuscany.