SAN ROSSORE’S AUTUMN TREASURES
MIGLIARINO, SAN ROSSORE, & MASSACIUCCOLI NATIONAL PARK - ITALY
Autumn in Migliarino, San Rossore, & Massaciuccoli Park is a kaleidoscope of color and texture.
This extraordinary national park, which lies along Italy’s Ligurian coast, near the city of Pisa, is a patchwork collection of terrain -- with sand dunes, pine forests, marshes, deciduous forests and wild Mediterranean thicket. Each transforms as the weather grows cooler.
The park is offers protected landscapes, with pristine beaches along the coast of Pisa and Lucca provinces, including the municipalities of Pisa, Viareggio, San Giuliano Terme, Vecchiano, Massarosa and Livorno.
There are over 3000 hectares of swampland in the park, teaming with wildlife. The white ibis and blue herons wade through the marshes.
Hike through the Tombolo and Migliarino forests, thick with poplar, holm oak, and pine trees, rustling with wild boar and fallow deer.
Over 1400 species of invertebrates are found here. There are 15 species of dragonflies, 21 species of scaraboidea coprophagous beetles, and 14 bat species. 90 species of birds nest here, while 105 species of birds winter here.
Over 550 species of plants, many of them rare plants, such as the carnivorous drosera, and the Greek periploca, and marsh orchids, form a lush understory.
Beyond hiking, you can bike, buggy ride, or take the little ecological train. You can also explore the region’s waters via boat. Enjoy Lago di Massaciuccoli or follow the Arno and Serchio rivers to where they meet the sea. The Secche della Meloria, dramatic coastal rocks between Livorno and the island of Gorgona, are breathtaking.
There are beautiful cultural The San Sossore Estate, at the park’s center, once belonged to the Italian President of the Republic.And check out the annual Villa Museo Puccini, which includes the famed opera composer’s house and still belongs to the Puccini family. And check out the annual summer Puccini Festival.
The park offers a range of campsites for overnight stays or stay at a lovely selection of hotels -- check them out here.
Read more about Autumn Beauty all this week on BeautifulNow. And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Wellness, Impact, Nature/Science, Food, Arts/Design, and Travel, Daily Fix posts.
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