a dip in the blue

Punta Ala, my favourite place

Just for today, you have my blessing to betray our beloved vineyards in favour of a little sea breeze — and I have the perfect plan. I'm not sending you just anywhere, but to my favourite place: Punta Ala. You should know that our grandmother Maria has a house right there, where we spent every summer as children. The moment school ended, the ritual began: from June to September we lived in near-total symbiosis with the sea. They were the best years — endless days, running on the sand, and that absolute freedom that only childhood summers can give you.

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the journey

take the old road

Don’t be in a hurry to arrive. I strongly recommend taking the old road. It’s a little slower, but it cuts through picture-postcard Tuscany and is absolutely worth every extra minute — around two hours in all.

Along the way, you must stop at the Abbey of San Galgano. A breathtaking place: a thirteenth-century Cistercian church with no roof, where grass serves as the floor and the sky as the ceiling. Right next door, at the Eremo di Montesiepi, you’ll find the real Sword in the Stone — thrust into the rock by the knight Galgano when he chose the life of a hermit. Forget King Arthur: this legend is entirely our own.

A practical note: check their opening hours in advance, and if you like, you can buy tickets online.

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the destination

Casetta Civinini

Once you reach Punta Ala, head straight for Casetta Civinini.

Why I love it: the atmosphere is wonderfully informal. You can settle under the straw umbrellas or simply enjoy the pine forest for a patch of natural shade.

The sea: the water is crystal clear and the seabed slopes gently — perfect for a swim or a lazy walk along the shoreline.

Lunch: the restaurant is made for a feet-in-the-sand kind of meal. A spaghetti alle vongole, a glass of chilled Vermentino and the sound of the waves. What more could you need?

A practical note: I’d suggest checking their website for prices and hours — and above all, booking ahead to make sure you get a spot.

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The perfect ending

sunset and a spritz

Before getting back in the car and returning to the Borgo, a couple of ideas to close the day properly:

you could have an aperitivo right on the beach, watching the sun go down with the island of Elba on the horizon. Or make your way to the harbour for a stroll among the sailing boats and a Spritz before heading back.

Take a dip for me too, and enjoy every minute. Punta Ala has a special energy — I’m quite sure you’ll fall for it.

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