tuscany villa holiday - Holiday Villas in Monte Argentario, Italy

MONTE ARGENTARIO: MOUNTAIN MEETS SPARKLING SEA
One of the most beautiful parts of the Tuscan coast, the rocky promontory of Monte Argentario still looks like an island, as it once was, until sand drifts silted the channel and formed two isthmuses connecting with the mainland at Orbetello. The Tombola di Feniglia has a long sandy beach lined with pines. Nearby are located the headquarters of the WWF, and the promontory is home to some rare and lovely flora and fauna. The name Argentario either derives from the Roman banking family who once owned the area, or from the silver mines at nearby Massa Marittima.

The Argentario, culminating in Mount Telegrafo (635 m), rises steeply from the sea to the west, but slopes away more gently to the north. It is covered almost everywhere by Mediterranean scrub, particularly in the less accessible zones. The coastline of Mount Argentario is extremely irregular, notched by high cliffs and bays that follow one another in quick succession. The Argentario is rich in grottoes; some of them along the coast formed by the erosive action of the sea but others, inland, are due to the Karst phenomenon.

Besides the abundance of fish in the waters off the Argentario, red coral can still be found and the sea yields up the occasional amphora encrusted with molluscs. All of which makes the depths here a favourite haunt of enthusiasts of underwater fishing and photography. But, as a whole, Monte Argentario is also ideal for those attracted by the beauty of the landscape, its mild climate, monuments of past ages, and fine accommodation. Little wonder, then, that the backbone of the territory’s economy today is tourism. The Argentario is, in fact, the showpiece of the Maremma and its bathing resorts attract visitors both domestic and international.

The seat of public administration is Porto Santo Stefano, the centre of Monte Argentario. Situated in a picturesque bay, Porto Santo Stefano is not only an important centre for fishing and a bathing resort, but it also acts as a base for tourists who visit the island of Giglio. Its Spanish history is evident in the Aragonese stronghold, which towers above the small town.

Porto Ercole, resplendent in natural beauty and in the vestiges of over a thousand years of history, is the most beautiful jewel on the Argentario promontory. Its name comes from the mythical Greek hero Hercules. This small town, like Porto Santo Stefano, also shows traces of Spanish influence, testified by the numerous towers and also some tombstones in the church. From here, a short flight takes you to Cala Galera, a modern tourist harbour, where you can hire boats with or without a helmsman.

Asedonia is a popular tourist resort, near the ruins of the Roman town of Cosa, where you can visit a museum of Roman finds and a part of the Etruscan walls. Very beautiful houses rise on the Asedonia hill, some of them summer residences of celebrities. A little more to the south, on the way towards the Capalbio station, is the Tagliata Etrusca, a milestone of hydraulic engineering.

Accommodation in Monte Argentario is excellent and abundant. For a choice list, please refer to our selection.

TUSCANY VILLAS: YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Tuscany is justly famous for its wine, food, warm and hospitable people, and dazzling natural beauty. However, in our opinion, Tuscany should also be celebrated for its beautiful villas, because the Tuscan countryside is dotted with some of the most superb villas dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, and almost all of them are perfectly preserved, so that they can still be inhabited with ease. And guess what? We would like to invite you to stay in one of Tuscany's independent villas, which we have carefully selected for the discerning tourist. We can guarantee you every home comfort that you can ask for, in the luxurious and elegant atmosphere of these beautiful villas.

Without exception, the independent villas of Tuscany that we have chosen for you are located amidst some wonderful natural scenery. Take the Villa Ginestra, situated near the top of a hill in the Tuscan countryside, delighting guests with a magnificent view of the city of Florence. Also within view is the tiny village of Cercina. On a nearby hilltop, you can see the ruins of a great house that once belonged to a medieval bishop. The scenery is, in a word, magnificent. At Villa Ginestra, you will enjoy the best Italy has to offer – the timeless beauty of Tuscany’s rural countryside, and quick and easy access to Florence.

An orchard of half-century-old olive trees surrounds Villa Ginestra, providing visitors with a crown of green and silver. To the west is the still deeper green of a forested mountain, webbed with well-marked trails for the adventurous hiker. To the east is a superb view of the medieval town of Fiesole.

And that is just one example of what we can offer you. There are numerous independent villas in Tuscany that find place on our list, spread all across this beautiful region of Italy. Can you actually imagine staying in a place called the Villa Buonaparte? Well, we have it on our list too, and it is situated on San Miniato’s hills, about five km from San Miniato. It is a 16th-century building, carefully renovated and maintained to remind you of the charms of medieval Italy.

As we keep saying, these are mere samples. For a detailed list of independent villas in Tuscany, come to us and we’ll take you on a free and infinitely rewarding tour!

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