The Monte Argentario peninsula is connected to the mainland by three strips of land one of which is man-made and the other two are isthmuses created by nature. The beautiful lagoons of Orbetello lie between these natural land bridges protecting an infinite variety of birds and wild-life. Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole, the two tiny fishing villages on the peninsula (where donkeys were more frequently seen than cars!), have, with time grown into small, picturesque towns providing you with every amenity whilst maintaining their quaint and village like qualities . You reach La Casa nelle Nuvole from Porto Santo Stefano about 7 kilometres along the Via Panoramica. The town provides every necessity to make your holiday a success. All kinds of shops, boutiques, supermarkets, chemists, hairdressers, beauty salons, etc. Last but not least don't forget to visit the fish market in the port, it is one of the finest on this coastline.

Between Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano there is a brand new Spa, an eighteen hole golf course and a Polo field.

Should you wish to vary your swimming you can choose to go to either of the long white sandy beaches at Feniglia or Giannella, the two isthmuses that connect Argentario to the mainland. For the more adventurous there is the choice of taking one of the paths that go down to the rocky bays along the coast, an energetic walk but well worth it for the wonderful swim in crystal clear waters. Or for sheer luxury the more exclusive Cala Piccola Beach Club for which you will have private membership.

There are several ferries a day going to these two islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. Giglio, the larger of the two, has an enchanting miniature harbour surrounded by candy coloured houses, once a thriving fishing village, now taken up with tourism it still retains it's originality and the single horse-power fishing boats can still be heard chugging softly out of port in the very early hours of the morning. From there you can take a bus or a taxi to go to Giglio Castello, the fortified village built at the very top of the island, where you can have lunch washed down with the famous Giglio wine. To the more energetic we advise a return to the harbour on foot: A lovely walk along a donkey track surrounded by shady trees decked in bougainvillea with magnificent vistas of the coast.

A hydrofoil will take you to Giannutri. This island is almost uninhabited, there are a few houses and the keeper's cottage. However you can still see the remains of a roman seaside villa, the Villa Domizia and there is even a disused runway! It is a low-lying, windswept rather desolate island with a rugged but beautiful coast-line and is the southernmost island of the Tuscan Archipelago.

Monday is market day in Porto Ercole, the summer resort on the East coast of Argentario. A stroll through the market or a walk up to one of the Spanish fortifications that guard the small harbour is a pleasant way of spending a morning before going for a swim on the Feniglia beech. There you can also hire bicycles and ride deep into the umbrella pine forest and, with a picnic, choose your own private bit of sandy beech. In Porto Ercole you will find pretty little boutiques full of local colour and shops with the latest fashions, supermarkets and beauty salons and a warm hearted welcome from the locals. For those of you who enjoy the night life it offers any number of good bars and night clubs along its waterfront and in the yacht Marina. Whilst enjoying your cool drink you may even sight a celebrity or two relaxing and unwinding at the table next to you!

Orbetello was an ancient  Etruscan settlement, which in 280 BC passed under the control of the Romans , who had founded their colony of Cosa (near the modern Ansedonia ). it was fought over by most of the important families of the Middle Ages and eventually in the mid 16th Century became part of the Spanish puppet State of Presides, becoming it's capital. Now a bustling market town it lies on the spit of land between the two lagoons embraced by the Feniglia and the Giannella. A delightful town full of history, beautifully kept by its proud citizens and a wonderful shopping centre. Market day here is on Saturday and it's huge, it stretches all along the waterfront and is alive with sights and sounds and tantalising smells and local colour and if shopping makes you peckish you can stop at any of the panettieri (bakers) and buy yourself a piece of the most delicious ‘pizza al taglio' (pizza by the piece) and munch on it as you stroll down the Corso (the thoroughfare) taking in the atmosphere. Orbetello has some very good restaurants offering long languorous lunches or romantic candlelight dinners.

With the Villa comes membership to the Cala Piccola Beach Club, a five minute drive from the house, and fully equipped with deck chairs, sun loungers, sun mattresses, sun umbrellas, (as there is, of course, no shortage of sun!) changing cabins as well as a very good al fresco restaurant and bar. The club also provides a free shuttle service from the Via Panoramica to the beach and back. Free access is available for four people and one car. A small fee is charged for extra guests

If you like boating you can hire a Zodiac or a "Gozzo", the local small wooden motorboat for the day. There is no danger of tides and currents in the Mediterranean but be aware of the wind, it blows up quickly and can turn the sea from calm to choppy in no time! But it doesn't last long and subsides as quickly as it came up.