Baratti/Populonia

Loved Baratti as it had a beautiful clean gulf with a small town feel to it! And then had quite the nice grade headed up to Populonia, but for that view completely worth it!!!

What was really neat of this small classic church placed directly across from the Castle in Populonia and as I was leaving they were getting ready for a wedding, then by the time I rode back down the hill to Baratti a white classic car w/ the bride dove past on their way up. The car and the bride was stunning and town people hollered and wave and shout to the bride as they drive past.

Then the next weekend Baratti actually hosted a festival there so I went back for the day for the festivities ;) … and of all people to join me for lunch while I ate … A gymnastics group?

What are the odds, they were doing a performance later in the afternoon for the festivities. Crazy to think of all the ones I worked on w/ my kids in the past and to experience an Italian version. Was definitely not expecting that!!

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And so the exploring adventure begins, setting off from my 2nd Farm ;)
View of Baratti & the left hill w/ the small grey block on top is Populonia ;) Where I was headed for the day.
Beautiful ride through Tuscany ;)
In my wildest dreams I never thought I would be doing this!! Two of my loves, cycling & Italy combined ;D
Just along the road, through Tuscany ;)
Close to Bagno Baratti
Close to Bagno Baratti
Bagno Baratti
Gulf of Baratti w/ their port across the way.
Right next door to some farms ;)
Spiaggia di Baratti
Marina- Porto di Baratti
Gulf of Baratti, so pretty!
This church was, exactly centered in the middle of the bay enclosed.
It was so cute!, I felt like the placement was random as its right on the water but I'm pretty sure that is just an american thought lol
I wish I could have gone inside but it was locked up.
Church in the Bay of Baratti
Church in the Bay of Baratti
So gorgeous!! So lucky I caught this on such a clear day!!!!
Looking at Ristorante Canessa, was debating on eating here but opted to try the food in Populonia instead.
This is where I thought was the beginning of the trailhead lol!
It was so pretty I didn't want to leave!
Gulf of Baratti
Looking at the port w/ Ristorante Canessa on the right.
Climbing on large rocks in water, always an enjoyable thing for me ;)
Couldn't pass up a selfie in such a beautiful place ;) lol
Looking back at Baratti, beginning the climb up to Populonia
It was still a gorgeous climb and of course an awesome ride on the return down ;)
First close view of Populonia ;) known as the 'Pittsburgh of antiquity'
Populonia- an important Etruscan town which flourished between the 7th and 2nd century BCE.
Just a small little monument along the road/prayer spot
Entrance to Populonia- made it as a fellow cyclist passed me saying 'forte, forte!' would be different if I had a rode bike, lol
Right through the entrance the main street- Via S. Giovanni
An Artist Gallery- Interesting art pieces; very modern and industral. He even added motors to some pieces.
Reminded me of fireflys and of all things, that night I saw some on my ride home. ;)
La Taverna di Populonia- Where I decided to have my lunch ;P Excellent spot!!
I opted to order the Tagliere Maremmano... let's just say I was in heaven!!.. and first time trying wild boar, didn't like it at first but eventually it grew on me.
After the long ride and the climb, was very much looking forward to this!
Where time stood still; I spent about 2-3hrs soaking this spot in and savoring every bite ;) one perk about traveling on your own ;)
Loved how they added a little helping support for this tree! ;)
La Taverna di Populonia
The main street- Via S. Giovanni
Found some artwork and gallery along the super cute shops ;)
I really like how they use wood pieces and the terra cotta roof tiles for artwork!
A few pieces I liked throughout the gallery
A few pieces I liked throughout the gallery
I found out this is the actual artist of these paintings ;)
Gallery Owner, she was very sweet.
La Torre di Populonia Osteria- If budget wasn't a concern I would have definitely eaten here! ;)
The main street- Via S. Giovanni
The Church of Santa Croce- Built between the 11th and 12th Century
Love how simple this Church is!! A Romanesque plan w/ aisles hall
The write up/history brief re: built and artworks
Look at that stone texture for the wall?! Beautiful ;)
The frescoes portray two saints, dated June 1516; male St. Paul and female unknown.
The entrance window so perfectly placed to reflex the sunlight above the cross <3
The two lateral chapels were added no later than 1575.
Virgin with Child, dated around 1773
Rectangular apse and gabled roof, part of the church dates back to 8th and 11th century.
Removal of the Body of St Cerbone, dated 1773
This was the church getting prepped for the wedding, what a beautiful place!
Across the way from the church, Castle front of Populonia
Unfortunately it was extra euros to go up to this tower and see the view, I figured maybe next time.
Castle Front of Populonia w/ the Church in the background
Front door of one of the residents in town ;) So cute!
Castle Front of Populonia, quite impressive!!
View from the Castle Front looking across to Elba Island
Castle Front of Populonia
This view!!!! ;D The couple had the best spot ;)
I heart nature, simply beautiful!
I am incredibly thankful for being fit and able to cycle as it has taken me to so many more places and adventures ;)
A cycler's dream ;)
Some of the ruins across the way in the trees, unfortunately spent too long at lunch and had to get going to start my bmx trail.
Populonia and the Gulf of Barratti
The Gulf of Barratti w/ slight arial of part of the Port
Beautiful Populonia
Tuscany <3
Archeological Park- the ruins of the Etruscans & some tombs, the ancient mysterious Civilization set along the coast of Tuscany.
Archeological Park- By the time I road back to here I missed the viewing hours so hopefully next time!
Couldn't get enough of this view!
Climbing over all these rocks looking for the trailhead to open up lol!
Could of spent hours just chilling here!!
Went to at least the corner to look around for a clearing or shortcut to the trail, but nope more rocks! lol
On the return back the roped off trailhead ;( wish I noticed it in the morning; it is what it is
So the next weekend I came back to Barratti as they were hosting a festival ;)
Il Polpo Marino- Super cute Seafood shack opening up for the day
Incredibly grateful this landed on one of my weekends in Tuscany
This guy was sweet enough to embroider my name as a little suvneer ;) and w/in seconds, barely got the photo in time
Artwork Prints ;)
Artwork Prints ;)
Artwork Prints ;)
This is another reason why I love Italy so much! They preserve old things <3
Aww look at that fashion illustration!!! ;)
Couldn't believe these old comics!! Almost picked up an Uncle Scrooge, but its in Italian lol
If I could have gotten this I would have and framed it! So pretty!!
Love old things!
Quite a few antique booths
Incredible!!
Il Polpo Marino- Back at the Seafood shack/bar
I couldn't believe they do this, and so since I spent so many days on the beach already opted for the one hanging from the umbrella ;)
And it's moveable! They carry them and then stake it into the ground when people come up
Can't beat the convenience of buying a swimsuit on the beach for 15 euros ;))
So many people for the festivities then from before!!
Still gorgeous!
In the morning these guys were warming up a bit, now remember the one in the yellow! ;D
This local beer was amazing!!! And I am not a beer person lol I tried the Vale Blonde
Bagno Baratti- Such a cute casual beach bar! Diddn't get to try it though
Was taking a photo of the community book library, at the time didn't even realize that guy was smiling/posing LOL!
These looked like fun! I've never seen them w/ actual slides, one of these days will have to try ;)
;)
This little kid lounging w/ the dad or male figure was drink Prosecco w/ them, he looked like 8-9?
What an awesome bay/gulf!
Soaking up some sun ;) Selfie time, lol
I did sit out on these rocks for a brief bit, great spot!! And that is Populonia on top of that hill in the back ;)
Instead of the restaurants close by, I opted for the authentic festival meal & wine ;P
Them making my panini ;P
Hard at work as it was busy lunch time.
Basic prosciutto w/ cheese panini & their house wine ;) It was delicious!!
The eat area ;)
Of all people that ended up to sit at my table w/ me, the gymnastic group that was warming up ;) What are the odds?!?!
So later that day they did a little performance/demo and invited me ;) reminded me of my gym days running performances for my kids
Remember the guy in the yellow?! ;D He was the one sitting in the middle at lunch, lol got to love those briefs! lol
Was neat to see, it was mostly just demonstrating strength skills and posing.
No real choreographed routine, but still very neat to see!!
They asked me to do a little something, so I just did a handstand piroutté lol
Amazing balance and strength this guy had!! And he was sweet, so that was nice ;)
I've never seen rock climbing strapped to a tree before, but looks fun!
The owner of the farm actually had one of these and we practiced a few times between some olive oil trees ;)
Tissue!! So beautiful to watch ;)
Walking along Baratti ;)
When your farm owners are friends w/ the fellow beach bar/restaurant owner it's always a nice welcome ;)
No other better way to end your day w/ a mojito and this view!!!
Couldn't get enough w/ how pretty it was!!
There's that Church in the middle again ;) lol
Baratti ;)
Some of the ruins of the ancient Etruscan city, so close to the water! and right along the main road.
Some of the detail info of this site.
Even some tombs were found here ;) from the Imperial period (1st-3rd centuries AD)
Last view of the festival before headed back to the farm ;) What an amazing day this was!!! <3