4. The Region
The Etruscan Coast
The Etruscan Coast, or "Costa degli Etruschi" in Italian, is a part of the coastline in Tuscany. This coastal stretch is approximately 90 kilometers long and stretches from Livorno in the north to Piombino in the south. The Etruscan coast is known for its natural beauty, historical significance, pristine beaches, picturesque landscapes, delicious wines, and important historical heritage sites. Five minutes from the campsite is a (rocky) naturist beach, while the most beautiful naturist sandy beach in Tuscany is 45 minutes away. Within 30 minutes, you can reach the Leaning Tower of Pisa, within 45 minutes the historic city of Lucca, and within just over an hour the famous Cinque Terre or Florence. A detailed overview of all the sights, distances, and culinary activities can be found here.
weather and climate
In this region, we benefit from a temperate climate, with warm summers and mild winters, making it an ideal destination for holidaymakers. However, we are also aware of the challenges posed by climate change. While our mountainous location protects us from the risk of flooding, and the area is not prone to earthquakes, there is an increased risk of wildfires due to global warming. To mitigate this risk, we plan to take proactive measures, including creating a safety buffer zone in the forest to reduce the chance of wildfire spread.
The temperature chart for Livorno shows warm summers with temperatures peaking at 28°C in July and August. The winter months are mild, with temperatures rarely dropping below 6°C. From May onwards, the seawater becomes pleasant for swimming, with temperatures reaching a warm 26°C in the summer and still reaching a comfortable 22°C in October.
The precipitation table for Livorno shows a pattern where the summer months are considerably drier than the winter months. In July and August, you can enjoy as many as 24 to 25 dry days per month, with minimal rainfall. The month of November sees the highest rainfall with 79 mm of precipitation spread over 14 days. Furthermore, Livorno offers a good number of dry days throughout the year, making it a suitable destination for holidaymakers who are flexible in their planning.
The overview shows that Livorno enjoys a significant number of sunshine hours per day, peaking in the summer months where you can expect up to 12 hours of sun per day. The wind level remains generally moderate, with a wind force averaging around 3 Beaufort for most of the year, slightly decreasing in the summer months. The UV index indicates that the sun is stronger during the summer months, with a UV index ranging from 6 to 7.
Accessibility
car
The three easiest routes by car from Northern Europe (BE/NL/DE)
| Route | Steden | Distance/Duration |
|---|---|---|
|
Via Germany and Switzerland (through the Gotthard Tunnel) |
Utrecht > Düsseldorf > Basel > Gotthard Tunnel > Milan > Livorno |
Approximately 1,300 km.
Approximately 13-15 hours
|
|
Through Germany and Switzerland (via the San Bernardino Tunnel) |
Utrecht > Düsseldorf > Zurich > San Bernardino > Milan > Livorno |
Approximately 1,350 km
Approximately 14-16 hours
|
|
Through France |
Utrecht > Brussels > Paris > Lyon > Geneva > Mont Blanc Tunnel > Turin > Livorno |
Approximately 1,500 km
Approximately 15-17 hours
|
Ferry
From Livorno, the following destinations can be reached by ferry:
| Destinazione | Duration of crossing | Beschrijving |
|---|---|---|
|
Corsica |
4 to 6 hours |
Beautiful island scenery and vibrant cities. |
|
Sardinia |
6 to 8 hours |
Breathtaking beaches and rich history. |
|
Elba |
4 to 5 hours |
Natural beauty and historical landmarks. |
|
Sicily |
12 to 15 hours |
Rich mix of culture and landscape. |
|
Other islands |
1 to 2 hours |
For destinations such as Capraia and Giglio, which are closer to the coast. |
train
Livorno is conveniently located for train travel in Italy. The Livorno train station is a twenty-minute drive away. There is also a station closer by (Quercinella) which is a 7-minute drive away.
Pisa Airport - Livorno/Quercianella
From Pisa Airport, you can reach Livorno station in 30 minutes and Quercianella station in 45 minutes. Both are direct train connections.
From Livorno to the rest of Italy
Livorno is fairly centrally located in Italy. The average travel times by train to other cities are listed in the table below:
| Destinazione | Travel time |
|---|---|
|
Florence (Firenze) |
1 hour - 1 hour 30 minutes |
|
Rome (Roma) |
3 hours - 4 hours |
|
Milaan (Milano) |
3 hours - 4 hours |
|
Venice (Venezia) |
4 hours - 5 hours |
|
Bologna |
2 hours - 2 hours 30 minutes |
|
Turin (Torino) |
4 hours - 5 hours |
|
Naples (Napoli) |
5 hours - 6 hours |
By train to Livorno from Northern Europe
Train travel is experiencing growing popularity in Europe due to sustainability awareness and the efficient European rail network. From the Netherlands, Livorno can be reached via routes traversing cities such as Brussels, Frankfurt, and Milan, with an estimated travel time of 10 to 14 hours. From Brussels, the estimated travel time to Livorno is 9 to 12 hours, via Frankfurt and Milan. German travelers have various routes depending on their departure point, ranging from 9 to 13 hours. From Austria, with cities like Vienna and Innsbruck as departure points, the estimated travel time to Livorno is 8 to 11 hours. The well-connected railway network makes Livorno easily accessible for European visitors, which is advantageous for a camping location in the region.
Airplane
The airport of Pisa, also known as the Galileo Galilei International Airport, is strategically located in the region of Tuscany and serves as a major hub for travelers heading to various parts of Italy, including Livorno. It is a 35-minute drive from the campsite to the airport.
- From the Netherlands, there are regular direct flights to Pisa from major airports such as Schiphol in Amsterdam and Eindhoven Airport. The flight duration from the Netherlands to Pisa varies, but averages around 2 hours.
- Transavia via Schiphol
- Ryanair via Eindhoven
- isa, as an entry point, is connected with direct flights from a wide range of European cities.
- This includes the major airports in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Scandinavia, and the United Kingdom. Analysis of flight data shows an average flight time of about 2 to 2.5 hours from the northern European cities.
The convenience of direct flights, coupled with the proximity of Pisa Airport to the campsite, makes this a Unique Selling Point. This way, we can also potentially make better use of the May and autumn holidays.
Overview of flights from Pisa on Google Flights on 7-4-2024.