The state park near Pisa (Parco di Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli) is a strange, sandy, tree-filled marvel on the coast near Pisa. Composer Giacomo Puccini lived there. It’s in the guidebooks, yes, but it’s still in the raw. There’s the Massaciuccoli lake and the forest around it. It’s great hiking terrain and has herons — a rare Italian sight. (People marvel about Tuscany but rarely consider that a part of Tuscany is on the sea. It’s Italy’s narrowness that’s not imagined. Nearby are Massa and Carrara, of marble fame.