Autumn: Elba again?!

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Plan: Start Friday evening drive until Andermatt and then further south on Saturday. Elba, Tuscany? We take our bikes and shorts.

We took off early and drove down to Mendrisio to avoid the traffic at the boarder in Chiasso. We passed Genua and arrived after 5 1/2hours in Pisa.
We booked a hotel and yes we know there are some camping pitches to stay and with the NH hotel next to the trainstation we had a great base to explore everthing in walking distance.

 

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After two nights we went on and decided to head to Punta Ala direction south of Piombino - so this year we won't go to Elba.
After around 3h drive we arrived there and it was quite off season and the camping Baja Verde did not impress us. Next idea was Port San Stefano and try to find a place to stay.

We ended up here in Camping Giannella and it was basic however okay to stay for 2 nights. Around 5 Min away from the beaches and a 10 drive to San Stefano.

We noticed also here it is empty, the beach bars are closed and the hotels prepare for winter. That created on one side wonderful less crowded scene (as above) and on the other hand there were less kids to play with in the camp. Besides the playground at the camping was okay, little old, however perfect for 2-6 years old kids.

 

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After two nights we took the ferry to Giglio (know for the ship accident "Costa"). Giglio is a small island with only one camping and famous for snorkeling and diving.

San Stefano

Giglio

The ferry is quite expensive and it takes about 1h from port to port. However a wonderful ride!

 

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Pics from the only camping on Giglio!
The camping is situated about a ten minutes drive from Port of Giglio in direction of Campese. Wonderful placed with a own sea access. Not ideal for small kids (rock entry) but for snorkeling and for older ones. We never tried it however its easy to get in and harder for kids to get out of the water.
Better place to do some sandcastles is Campese a 10 minut walk from the camping.

 

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Another nice place to visit is the Castello. An old town with some charming narrow streets and some mtb routes down to Campese or the port. Have a closer look at the walking map and from Castello down to Campese Nr. 10 and 11 are great. From the camping up the mountain it tooks me (unsporty slow mtb) around 50 mins - I am pretty sure you can get up way faster!


giglioinfo.it provides you with some useful intel about how to get there and to get around.

 

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Nice 4 pitched up in front of you there

 

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After some time on the Island we drove back Cecina at the coast and stayed at the Mare Blue Camping for one night. It was totally okay and it would be very nice with children, pitches are quite big and nice under some trees. Although the playground was not the newest it was great to play. The average camper were great white ones. We ordered some food at the restaurant and it was quite okay.

 

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So now I find some time to finish up. After a night at the sea we visitied San Gimignano. Super hipp and IMO more crowded than Volterra (visited last year). Found a good parking spot and stroll around.