Prata is a quiet medieval hamlet perched on the Metalliferous Hills — halfway between the Tyrrhenian beaches and the great art towns of inland Tuscany. A place to enjoy all year round: sea and hill villages in summer, woods, bikes and thermal baths in every other season.
Part of the municipality of Massa Marittima, Prata is a tiny hilltop village of stone alleys, a Romanesque church and views that stretch over woods of holm oak and chestnut. Here you shop at the village bakery, drink your espresso in the little piazza and hear little more than birdsong.
It is an authentic slice of the Alta Maremma — a Tuscany still lived-in, not staged.
One of Tuscany's most beautiful medieval towns: the stunning Piazza Garibaldi, the Cathedral of San Cerbone, wine bars and restaurants. Around 15 minutes away.
The sandy beaches of Follonica and Punta Ala in ~30 minutes, and Cala Violina — a protected cove reachable on foot or by bike, famous for its "singing" sand.
The roofless Gothic abbey and the legendary "sword in the stone" of Montesiepi, ~30 minutes through beautiful countryside.
The steaming white hills of the Biancane park in Monterotondo Marittimo and the soffioni of Larderello — a lunar landscape 15–25 minutes away.
Day trips to Siena (~1h15), Volterra (~1h) and San Gimignano — or north along the coast to the Costa degli Etruschi and Bolgheri's wine road.
Tortelli maremmani, wild boar, pecorino, olive oil and the wines of the Monteregio di Massa Marittima DOC. Ask Wally for her favourite trattorias.
The farmhouse works all year round — both houses have heating as well as air conditioning — and the Metalliferous Hills change character with every season. Outside the hot months the Maremma empties out: the holm oak and chestnut woods turn, the white gravel roads become a playground for anyone on a bike, and the village trattorias switch from fish to wild boar.
Here is what people come here to do from September to May — when the sea is still half an hour away, but it is no longer the reason to come.
From September to November the woods around Prata produce porcini, ovoli and other wild mushrooms. It is a tradition of these hills, with the good spots handed down in families: you set off early, walk slowly — and a wicker basket works better than a plastic bag.
October belongs to the chestnut woods: gathering, roasting, and village festivals across the Metalliferous Hills. Along the trails you will find blackberries, arbutus and juniper; in November the new olive oil arrives from local mills — best tried on toasted bread.
Gravel tracks, mule paths and singletrack in the Metalliferous Hills Park, a UNESCO Geopark, starting on foot from the farmhouse. Autumn and spring are the right season: firm ground, shaded woods, no heat. Bike and e-bike hire in Massa Marittima.
The white roads between Prata, Boccheggiano, Montieri and Gerfalco are pure gravel country: constant ups and downs, packed grit, almost no cars. You can drop down to the coast and return inland, or stay among the woods all day.
Real tarmac and real climbs: the pass towards Massa Marittima, the road to Monterotondo Marittimo and the hairpins of the Metalliferous Hills, with the sea appearing suddenly around a bend. In winter you ride outdoors here almost every day, not on a turbo trainer.
The natural geothermal pools of Sasso Pisano and the Calidario at Venturina are at their best when it is cold: hot water in the open air and steam among the trees, 30–45 minutes from the farmhouse. Open all year.
Three renowned courses lie within easy reach of the farmhouse — mild weather means you can play almost all year round.
18-hole course at Il Pelagone (Gavorrano), rolling fairways with sea views over the Gulf of Follonica. About 35 minutes away.
Modern 18-hole championship course near Follonica, with resort facilities, driving range and restaurant. About 30 minutes away.
Historic 18-hole course laid out through the pine forest above the sea — one of Tuscany's most scenic. About 50 minutes away.
The Maremma is Italy's cowboy country. Horse-riding excursions for all levels, including days out with the legendary butteri herdsmen.
Natural geothermal pools at Sasso Pisano and the Etruscan thermal baths of Venturina (Calidario), 30–45 minutes away — open year round.
Marked trails straight from the village through the Tuscan Mining UNESCO Global Geopark; e-bike hire in Massa Marittima.
A crystal-clear spring-fed lake 10 minutes away, perfect for a freshwater swim, with the remains of an Etruscan village on its shores.
Boat trips and diving from Marina di Scarlino and Punta Ala; from Piombino (~50 min) ferries make Elba an easy day trip.
Cellar visits and tastings on the Monteregio DOC wine road, the great reds of Bolgheri (~50 min), olive-oil mills and cooking classes.
The monumental tombs of Vetulonia (~30 min) and the clifftop acropolis of Populonia over the Gulf of Baratti (~50 min).
Massa Marittima's medieval crossbow tournament Balestro del Girifalco (May & August) and open-air opera with Lirica in Piazza in summer.
Birdwatching in the Diaccia Botrona wetlands, the Maremma Natural Park (~1h), and starry-sky nights right from the farmhouse garden.
Approximate driving times from the farmhouse. A car is recommended.
| Destination | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Massa Marittima | ~12 km | ~15 min |
| Monterotondo M.mo (Biancane geothermal park) | ~15 km | ~20 min |
| Lago dell'Accesa | ~8 km | ~10 min |
| Follonica (sandy beaches) | ~30 km | ~30 min |
| Riva Toscana Golf Resort | ~27 km | ~30 min |
| Toscana Golf Club (Il Pelagone) | ~30 km | ~35 min |
| Golf Club Punta Ala | ~45 km | ~50 min |
| Piombino (ferries to Elba) | ~45 km | ~50 min |
| Cala Violina | ~35 km | ~35 min + walk |
| Abbey of San Galgano | ~30 km | ~30 min |
| Castiglione della Pescaia | ~50 km | ~45 min |
| Volterra | ~60 km | ~1 h |
| Siena | ~70 km | ~1 h 15 |
| Pisa airport | ~115 km | ~1 h 30 |
| Florence airport | ~150 km | ~1 h 50 |
c/o Via Toscana 33/A, Prata — Massa Marittima (GR) — GPS 43.083440, 10.989195
Area photos via Wikimedia Commons (freely licensed; authors and licenses on each file page): Massa Marittima · Cala Violina · San Galgano · Biancane · Siena