Villagio Il Girasole

Designed to be a large holiday village with both luxury and value accommodations, Villagio Il Girasole's vibe leans more toward summer camp than hotel. The village is centered around most of the on-site activities, with brick-patterned pathways guiding guests. A majority of the property houses the higher category apartments, most of which surround open garden areas. The remaining space is used for the value apartments set in grassy areas, with a simple stand-alone reception hut just past Girasole's gated entrance. The overall summer camp vibe is compounded by the large amount of kids roaming around, thanks to the village's multiple family-friendly features. Just like at a sleepaway camp, signs and property maps help visitors navigate the expansive grounds. Beware of bugs during summer months and prepare accordingly.

Villagio Il Girasole has an esteemed beach location just on the periphery of the small Tuscan sea village Follonica. A quick walk across an internal paved road and guests are on the sand of the village's small private beach. Outside of the beach, there are no real attractions within walking distance, but those with a car can quickly reach Follonica where culture thrives in the form of old churches, art museums, and architecture. There’s also a water park and nature reserve close by. For those seeking cities, Pisa is well over an hour to the north while Grosseto is a bit less than 40 minutes southeast. A sailing school is near Girasole as well, and Follonica is a starting point for several Tuscan tours to medieval villages and wineries.

Although the Villagio Il Girasole advertises apartments either at a four-star or two-star level, it seems that in reality both tiers lie somewhere in the middle. Both apartment types feature the same simple style, small archaic TVs, and basic furnishings. The only real differences, besides a slight increase in size, are the inclusion of a living room space and a more stylish bathroom in four-star categories. To put it another way, nothing in the higher tier units screams four-star.

All apartments include kitchenettes with mini-fridges. If you prefer gas burners over electric, make sure to request a gas stove. Also, some rooms are just across from the railway line, putting the apartment's soundproofing to the test. Access to the private beach is just off of the lower-category camp, making it a hike for higher-category apartments on the opposite side of the village.

Just a fraction of the village's size, Villagio Il Girasole’s private beach is fairly small, especially considering it needs to accommodate hundreds of sea lovers during the property’s peak seasons. The sand is packed with row after row of lounge chairs and umbrellas practically all the way to the water. Back at the village, there’s no shortage of things to do. In addition to organized activities for children and adults and live entertainment in the theater, there are tennis courts, Ping-Pong tables, soccer scrimmage fields, and mini-golf. There’s also an Olympic-size swimming pool and large solarium with sun chairs.

The casual on-site restaurant serves typical Tuscan cuisine, either buffet-style or a la carte, with unlimited water and wine. Lighter bites can be found at the pool bar, or guests can self-cater with groceries from the mini-mart. There’s also a moderate fitness room and area for massages. Pets are allowed, but make sure to pack a copy of recent vaccinations and medical records.