FOLLONICA APARTMENTS - Description

Follonica Apartments are situated in the seaside resort Follonica, located in the gulf of the same name, of the southern Maremma Tuscany.
There are brand new holiday apartments part of a small housing estate with swimming pool.
Follonica was founded in 1836, when Leopold II made of the settlement the royal administration of the foundries and the mines of the hinterland. This place had the advantage that is was near to Elba and both, in easy reach from the sea as well as from the continent.

The settlement became an important centre of the iron and steel industry of that time had played therefore an important role in the devolopment of the poor Maremma. The great cast iron portal as well as the church of San Leopoldo are dating back to that period. The foundry, situated in the so called "Ex Ilva" in the centre of Follonica, was active until the year 1963. A kind of open-air museum shows pieces that remained after the closure of the foundry activity.

Follonica has been demographically increasing for the last 10 years. The reason is on the one hand that the small seaside resort is very attractive for living and on the other that important investments in tourim have been made. Thanks to the gulf stream, also in the winter months, Follonica has a  very mild climate. . In the centre, the main shopping street with nice boutiques, bars and restaurants, going over into the kilometer-long promenade, facing the beach. On the beach, guests will find several well equipped bathing establishments, where it is possible to rent on a daily or weekly base a beach umbrella with sun beds, shower, cabins, as well as bar or restaurant.

Between these bathing establishments, there are also "free beaches" where it is possible to bring the own deck chairs or beach umbrellas without charge. Follonica does also offer any kind of water sports: there are diving-, surfing, sailing or kite surf schools. In the evening, several bars, restaurants or wine bars are inviting with their delicious local cuisine and wines. For those who are keen on nature, they'll find natural beaches and coves along the coast (ideal by bike!). Other seaside resorts (Punta Ala with exclusive yacht harbour or the characteristic Castiglione della Pescaia) are less than half an hour by car driving towards South.

From Castiglione della Pescaia it is possible to make daily mini-cruises along the coast or to the islands nearby.
About half an hour towards north, you'll find the beautiful Gulf of Baratti, the Etruscan excavations of Populonia as well as Piombino, the harbour where the ferries start to the Island of Elba ablegen. In the hinterland it is possible to visit the charming town of  Massa Marittima (18 km) and in 30 and 60 minutes the Etruscan excavations of Vetulonia or Roselle.