The Etruscan Coast, located in the south-western part of Tuscany, is a large stretch where uncontaminated nature meets ancient history. This area, which extends along the Tyrrhenian coast, offers a rugged landscape from sandy beaches (with the exception of the stretch between Rosignano Solvay and Vada, where the famous White Beaches stand out), crystal clear waters and hilly areas covered with Mediterranean scrub, in a succession of suggestive views. THE medieval villages perched on the hills, Etruscan archaeological sites – which give the entire coast its name – and the natural reserves, make the Etruscan Coast an ideal destination for a holiday dedicated to discovery and relaxation.
Immersed in this extraordinary scenery, the Garden Toscana Resortin San Vincenzo – a municipality in the province of Livorno – promises an experience of (re)connection with nature. 14 hectares of land, 26,000 plants for 400 botanical species coming from all over the world outline a lush and relaxing environment overlooking the sea.
The Garden Toscana Resort: a refuge in the greenery
«Our main objective is the attention and valorization of the natural heritage. First of all, our garden is a green project built from scratch. In 1992 we planted 20,000 plants which have now become trees. Furthermore, the resort is located near the holm oak – of which we have a concession of six hectares – a protected park, a real forest inhabited by holm oaks and native plants and which makes up our pine forest” tells Luca Tonelli, general manager of the Garden Toscana Resort. «This is a natural heritage that we have enhanced by integrating it with the internal garden, creating a continuum between the two green areas. The garden that nature gave us and the garden that we have made coexist to give the guest this experience of connection, which we express through the concept of #PRINCIPIONATURAL».
#PRINCIPLEATURAL it is the concept, in the form of a hashtag, that defines the philosophy of the resort, a 90s tourist village of 430 roomsreconverted (by the Ravazzani familywho took it over from Valtur) in a lush refuge, a place of peace and harmony, where you can give free rein to your passions, tone up and experiment with local food and wine, available in multiple variations.
A family-friendly resort
The main target of Garden Toscana are families, to which special attention is dedicated. If there are many and varied activities designed for the little ones (among these, educational programs such as Bricks 4 kids, where they can try their hand at building motorized models with LEGO bricks, and the Kids Experience, which brings them closer to the discovery of medicinal plants) , the Infant Club, new for the 2024 season – and probably destined to become the most loved service by parents – guarantees personalized assistance for children aged 12 to 36 months, as well as a well-deserved break for mums and dads.
Equipped fitness area, 12 clay tennis courts, 2 padel courts, 2 five-a-side football pitches, 1 basketball court, 1 bowling green, 1 volleyball court and 1 beach volleyball court: it’s not difficult to understand how sport is one of the key words of the resort’s offer. Furthermore, there are numerous opportunities to explore the beauties of the Etruscan Coast: from excursions to the nearby medieval villages, to trekking routes, to sailing boat trips. The “Under the stars” events, i.e. astronomical observation sessions, led by experts who help guests to recognize planets, stars and constellations then guarantee suggestive moments with an upward gaze. A spa center with swimming pool, Turkish bath, sauna, salt room and treatment area – so as not to miss anything – it completes the terminology of the Garden Toscana, under the heading wellness.
Chef Simone Salvini’s cuisine at the Garden Toscana Resort
Nature, sea, sport, relaxation and finally gastronomy: the cuisine, which here finds a wide variety in the five restaurants, is designed to satisfy all tastes, starting from local flavors and focusing on quality ingredients.
«The concept of the Natural Principle has also been applied vertically to other themes, such as catering with the collaboration of chef Simone Salvini and his vegetarian cuisine corner inside the Bistrot Gardenia» says Tonelli.
In fact, the exceptional chef in the Gardenia bistro is Simone Salviniof international fame (impossible not to know him, if only for the hilarious imitation that Maurizio Crozza alias Germidi Soia made of him in sedanist mode), who takes care of a corner dedicated to vegetarian cuisine.
«We started in 2021, this is the fourth season and it is going very well because more and more people want to eat light and organic foods. The beautiful thing about the Garden, the extraordinary thing, is that this is a type of cuisine that complements the offer already present. It is not an alternative that wants to impose itself or replace traditional dishes» says the chef. «There is also a portion of customers who already follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, but I prefer the curious who want to experiment», adds Salvini.
«The demand is very high. The guests line up in the morning and we have to decide how many to host, because the demand is too high», continues the chef with reference to reservations by resort customers (although included in the all-inclusive proposal, at the Gardenia restaurant it is necessary to reserve a table in advance).
Purist and esthete: «We have the paradigm of taste as the first attractive element, while in other countries this is not the case. In certain contexts, such as Japan, the external form is equal to or superior to the taste” tell us. Yet, the chef continues: «At Gardenia it’s very beautiful, it’s a great story itself full of many stories. What I did before, in a starred restaurant, with a large team to lead, no longer suited me. I was losing myself, I was losing an important part, the one linked to relationships.”
The corner designed by Simone Salvini at Gardenia, a creative laboratory and meeting place
Even though he is no longer able to fully express his creative verve in favor of human relationships, Chef Simone Salvini does not give it up, transmitting his creativity and his experimental character to the young people of his staff: «In a context like this, how can I fuel that most creative part every day without anyone telling me anything? The brigade that accompanies me is made up of young people who come from different parts of Italy and the world, some from Puglia, Sicily, Milan, Lviv, Ukraine. For me, having such a varied team is a source of inspiration, I compare myself with them and learn, experiment, create recipes and have the kids create gourmet dishes that guests won’t see and we photograph them, we make an archive. It’s a laboratory for these kids. There is a continuous exchange on both sides».
Among the dishes that for the 2024 season will attract guests to the vegan corner designed by Chef Simone Salvini: Chickpea omelette with cherry tomatoes, courgettes and lots of herbs, Tuscan bean falafel and white risotto with spring onion ragout, fennel and broad bean fondue, with contrasting berries.
«From this new season I therefore expect my team to learn and be able to conclude this journey with professional, but above all personal and life baggage.», concludes Simone Salvini.
A perfect synthesis between the comfort and simplicity of nature, Il Garden Toscana Resort is an oasis of well-being immersed in the heart of the Etruscan Coast. Its philosophy of #NATURALPRINCIPLE not only enhances the surrounding environment, but also offers guests a rejuvenating and authentic experience. With particular attention to families, a wide range of sports and recreational activities and a gastronomic offer that celebrates local flavors and sustainability, the resort invites you to rediscover the pleasure of simple things, in a context of harmony and serenity.
© All rights reserved
