Regional Park of Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli, Italy

© Stefano Valeri/Alam

There’s more to Pisa than leaning towers. Natural Park of Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli, Italy

This idyllic road is a path to one of Italy’s magnificent natural gifts. Just outside of the ancient city of Pisa in Tuscany is the Natural Park of Migliarino, San Rossore, and Massaciuccoli. This immense and diverse park boasts numerous distinct environments. Seaside sand dunes, bird-filled marshlands, deep pine forests, and vast deciduous forests of oak and elm all exist next to each other. A wide array of birds can be found in the park, and there are ample wild boar, rabbits, red foxes, and the impressively antlered fallow deer to be found. It has been suggested that there are wolves living in the deep reaches of the woods.

While the park is popular for its beaches, hikes, and wildlife viewing, its attributes don’t end with its natural amenities. There are Roman ruins to be explored here, along with working farms, and environmental education opportunities. It is also home to the Villa del Gomba, once the presidential palace of Italy, and before that the palace of the House of Savoy, one of Europe’s oldest and most powerful dynasties. Today the facility hosts conferences and tourists.