Places to visit: Grosseto et parc de la Maremme, compared head to head

Tosco Alberese's 8.0 rating versus 7.8 for Cala di Forno does not tell the whole story, since the real gap lies in effort and access. Alberese, with its 9,000 ha and free itineraries after ticket purchase (outside summer), suits those who want a flexible day among pine forest, towers and swimming, even if paid parking and mandatory guides in season weigh on the rating. Cala di Forno, with its accessibility at 6.2, requires a reservation, 16 km and 8 h of walking for a deserted cove and deer: it is for determined hikers who want the wildest experience, while Alberese remains more affordable for families or visits without a guide.

Tosco The Toscane Cachée rating for Alberese (8.0) surpasses that of Plage de Collelungo (7.8), mainly thanks to much better accessibility (7.2 versus 6.1) and comparable photogenic appeal, but with the advantage of the towers, the abbey and bike or horseback trails. Collelungo will appeal to you if you seek ultimate bareness: its 3 km of untouched sand with no bar or parasols, with superior authenticity (8.6), but you have to do everything on foot, and in summer the 15 € guide is mandatory for the 12 km. Alberese suits groups or families who want a base with the visitor center and varied options, while Collelungo is for you, the solitary hiker ready to pay the same fee for a swim at the foot of a tower, without compromising on wildness.

Tosco The Toscane Cachée rating is identical (7.8) and both coves require a long guided hike in summer, but everything comes down to effort and scenery: Cala di Forno asks you for 16 km and 8 hours of walking for a cove framed by cliffs and deer, whereas Collelungo requires only 12 km and 6 hours for 3 km of dunes under a medieval tower, with a view over the Uccellina. If you want the most unique experience and aren't afraid of effort, go for Cala di Forno; if you prefer a little less walking for an equally untouched and more photogenic beach, choose Collelungo. Both cost €15 and are equal in authenticity, so your choice depends mostly on your legs and your taste for cliffs or dunes.

Tosco With 8.0 against 7.7, Alberese wins for you if you're looking for a full day of walking, between beach, towers and abbey, with guided excursions at €15 (€10 reduced) for 6 to 8 hours of walking, even if the paid parking and regulated summer access may slow you down. The Ponte dell'Abbadia Vulci, on the other hand, offers you a shorter and denser experience, combining a medieval bridge, gorges and an Etruscan necropolis within the same park, ideal if you want to combine heritage and nature without necessarily walking for hours, but its entry price remains unclear and its traveler rating is slightly lower. If your budget is tight and you want a great breath of fresh air, choose Alberese; if you prefer a spectacular archaeological site and a more compact visit, Vulci is calling your name.

Tosco The Toscane Cachée rating for Alberese (8.0) edges out that of Lago del Pellicone (7.7), mainly thanks to photogenic appeal and experience quality at 8.3 versus 7.7 and 7.8, but its access is regulated in summer with a mandatory guide and paid parking at 2 €/hour. Lake Vulci, on the other hand, offers swimming in a volcanic canyon with a waterfall and Etruscan remains for 10 € (6 € reduced), with no guide requirement, but its train station is 13 km away and its hours end early. If you want coastal views and watchtowers along 25 km of coastline, choose Alberese; for wild swimming and ancient ruins on your own, Lago del Pellicone is simpler, provided you have a car.