Monte Argentario, Tuscany

Monte Arngentario is a large and hilly promontory in southern Tuscany. Popular primarily with well-off Italians, the area boasts a nature reserve and some relatively unspoilt beaches.

Long ago this sizeable outpost of Tuscany was an island; later it became joined to the mainland by three sand bars, which are now covered in woodland and separated by lagoons.

Monte Arngentario is part of the Province of Grossetto, an interesting area of Tuscany which is becoming increasingly fashionable as a holiday destination.

There are two pretty harbour/resort towns at Monte Arngentario which make good holiday bases: Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole. Porto Santo Stefano is on the northern side of the promontory, and is the largest town, served by ferries to the Tuscan islands. Porto Ercole faces south, and is a small and pretty harbour settlement. A third option is Orbetello, located on the central isthmus, between the two lagoons.

The southern connecting isthmus is a pine-clad nature reserve (called the Tombolo), with a path for walkers and cyclists along its length. From here you can access one of the coast's quietest beaches.