Places to visit in Tuscany: Orbetello, between breathtaking nature and the Botanical Dry Garden by Night

For nature lovers and those seeking an alternative to the classic seaside holiday, Tuscany is one of the most beautiful places to visit. Historic cities, culinary traditions and distinctive natural landscapes make the land of the Etruscans one of Italy's most fascinating regions.

Of all the unique and distinctive places in this region, there is one that, with its rectangle of land suspended between the waters, contains much wonder: Orbetello, in the province of Grosseto, the sliver of land located in the center of the lagoon of the same name.

If the Orbetello area is a nature reserve, it is no wonder. Nestled in the landscapes of Maremma, it not only hosts wonderful places to visit, but is also home to many species of animals and surprising plants. For those who choose to spend a few days in Orbetello and are looking for attractions and parks to visit in Tuscany, here is all the advice for the summer.

Natural parks in Tuscany: the WWF Oasis of Orbetello

Of all the special places in Tuscany, the WWF Oasis of Orbetello cannot fail to stand out, famous above all for its flamingos. Accustomed to considering them exotic animals, these majestic pink birds actually inhabit the lagoon during the winter season, when they migrate to warmer and more welcoming places. However, like all wetlands, the lagoon hosts ducks, herons, cranes and geese, along with thousands of other bird species.

The reason for this colorful presence of species, in addition to the welcoming environment created by the lagoon, is the location of the place, which is located on the migratory routes. The visit offers the possibility of walking three different routes designed to observe the numerous species of birds and allows you to watch the flights in the many shades of pink of the flamingos, the undisputed protagonists of the lagoon.

Places to visit in Tuscany: the historic center of Orbetello

Not only a nature oasis, Orbetello also hosts a historic center rich in culture. Walking through the city, you can encounter important historic places, such as the Etruscan walls area, a point where the remains of the ancient city are particularly well preserved. The Duomo, of Roman origin and renovated by the Orsini in 1375, stands, according to legend, on an old Etruscan temple, which later became Roman and finally hidden under the base on which the church stands. The historic center also hosts the church of San Francesco, which preserves interesting epigraphs from the period of Spanish rule, the Porta Nuova complex and the archaeological museum.

Botanical Dry Garden by night: summer events

If you are looking for interesting pastimes for the warm July evenings, what Botanical Dry Garden has organized might be just right for you. Tuscany is full of parks and places dedicated to nature, but there is no place like the Botanical Dry Garden. Home to surprising flora, respect for the environment and contemporary art, the botanical garden dedicated to low-water-use plants will host, in the month of July, three evenings dedicated to the tasting of typical local products in the company of exceptional guests.

The month of events will be inaugurated on Saturday, July 2: Botanical Dry Garden will host the preview concert and presentation of the Orbetello Piano Festival 2022 lineup.

The exceptional guest of the Saturday evening of July 9 will be Toninho Horta, accompanied by the Nicola Stilo Trio and Alfredo Paixao, who will allow the guests of the evening to attend an exclusive concert. The tasting of the evening will be in collaboration with the Az. Agr. Renis winery, accompanied by finger food from the BDG chef.

To enrich the third evening of culture and tasting there will be the Santa Lucia Winery and Lucrezia Lante Della Rovere, Special Guest of Saturday, July 16, who will perform “Women of Malamore”, an intense and touching theatrical monologue dedicated to violence against women. The last summer evening, Saturday, July 23, will host a tasting from the Monteverro winery and will have as Special Guest Prof. Stefano Mancuso, one of the most important botanists in Italy and the world, who will hold a lecture titled “The green planet: life, relationships and journeys of plants”.

Visiting the Botanical Dry Garden park

As every summer, Botanical Dry Garden hosts magical moments rich in art and culture in full and total respect of nature. But it is not only for the evenings that this park is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Tuscany, but above all for the wonderful plants, and the philosophy of respect for the environment that revolves around the botanical garden, visitable from Monday to Saturday with the possibility of guided tours and discovering the wonders of the park.

Alongside the hundreds of plant varieties present inside the garden, wonderful to discover and learn about, Botanical Dry Garden hosts numerous art installations and the possibility of visiting the park through a sensory path among the plants of the garden. Not only smell and sight, as you might imagine, but also touch and taste find a place in discovering the secrets of low-water-use plants.

Immersed in the wonders of nature, in the healthy and unpolluted air, it is easier to enjoy the most beautiful moments in the company of loved ones. This is why Botanical Dry Garden makes available to its customers and visitors the possibility of booking picnics, aperitifs and birthday parties, reserving some of the most beautiful areas of the park for your moments of happiness.

The philosophy of this place reflects that of anyone who respects the environment and is looking for an alternative holiday immersed in nature. While visits are always open to everyone, in summer the park is tinged with joy with the evening events and garden parties. For more information on BDG events, follow the social channels. See you soon with new updates!