Orbotello i Monte Argentario

Two sand troughs covered with pine trees (raffle) and isthmus, where Orbotello is located, they form the weak bond between Monte Argentario and the mainland. The peninsula consists of three mainland languages ​​with a lagoon in the center and the mountainous Argentario in the rear, and from the mainland it looks very picturesque. It is worth going there mainly because of the mountains. Although the peninsula is more and more famous, there are two summer resorts for the rich, Port Ercole, and above all Porto San Stefano - its interior is characterized by wild beauty. It is also a bird lovers paradise, because about two hundred species pass through here every year.

Orbotello

ORBOTELLO is a quiet town, which turns into one big car traffic jam, when the Romans come for the weekend. Like most towns in this region, once belonged to the Etruscans, but the surviving monument - the fortifications - are a trace of the Spaniards, who in the 16th century. they had a garrison here. There is a typical provincial main street here, which passeggiata rolled over in the evening, and probably not much else. If you are lucky, you can find a room at Hotel Touring, close to the center on via Mazzini 21 (•0564/867151); it is a rare one-star hotel in these parts, with twos from 34 000 L. In desperation, you can join a large group of people sleeping at the train station, on the way to or from Giglio.

If you want to visit Monte Argentario, you must probably decide to camp. In total, there are fourteen campsites on the peninsula, most on Tómbolo della Gianella and on the lagoon in the northern part. The nearest is Gianella-La Costa (• 0564/820049), and the most attractive Campo Regio (•0564/870163), one-star campsite open all year round, is located in the north of FÓNTEBLANDA. For moving around the peninsula, your own transport would be ideal. There are several bus routes between Orbotello, Porto San Stefano i Port Ercole, but buses do not serve internal areas. Enthusiasts can combine hiking with hitchhiking.

Porto San Stśfano i Port Ercole

Of the two bathing areas on Argentario PORTO, SAN STĆFANO is more built-up. It is also fashionable - which in Italy is much worse than its usual popularity. Visitors, is it Romans, or foreigners, they are rich, therefore the services were designed for fat pouches. Yet there are still traces of the charm, which attracted so many tourists here, especially near the yacht marina and the fishing port. The honor of the bathing beach saves the fish market and - if someone can afford - fish restaurants. Most people who travel economically only stay here until the ship sails to Giglio Island (look down).

The old ERCOLE PORT was heavily bombed during the last war, but there are still fortresses on both sides of the headland. The town prides itself on this, that Caravaggio was buried in the cemetery near the parish church.

Ansedonia

ANSEDONIA located on the mainland, where there are tons of Roman holiday villas and the train station, this is the last stop before Lazio for those interested in ancient ruins. Ancient COSA is spread over a hill just west of the city. It was founded in 273 r. BC. and was one of the most important commercial centers of Roman Tuscany, then, according to the historian Rutilius, an army of mice drove the population away from here. Eight-meter-high Roman walls still appear in some places, along with the figures of the system of eighteen defense towers, forum, temples; and recently discovered mosaics and murals.