ARGENTARIO
The Argentario promontory is an area rich in history, tradition and above all very well known for tourism. The two main towns are Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole, both delightful places overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea that are well worth a visit. Everything here is linked to the sea, from fishing to boating, as this was the attitude that supported the local economy for centuries before the advent of tourism.
Today the area is a popular tourist destination, with its transparent sea and myriad beaches and coves scattered around the perimeter of the promontory. The history is centuries old and full of places to visit, the local cuisine is excellent and has the flavour of the sea, and the traditions (such as the famous Palio Marinaro dell'Argentario on the 15th August) are just some of the reasons why it is absolutely recommended to visit this 'little island' attached to the mainland by two strips of land.
GIGLIO ISLAND
The second most important island in the Tuscan Archipelago, rich in history and tradition, but above all appreciated for the beauty of its sea. There are three main towns to discover: Giglio Porto with its typical coloured houses and first settlement since Roman times, Giglio Castello with its medieval village and characteristic alleys and cellars, and Giglio Campese, once the island's mining centre with its mine and now the main seaside resort. The smaller beaches (Cannelle, Caldane and Arenella) and the small coves scattered along the rest of the island's coastline, which can be reached on foot or by boat, are well worth visiting and discovering. The island can be visited in a day, but to better appreciate its character and environment, an entire weekend is best, exploring the many footpaths or discovering each cliff and cove.
TALAMONE
A small hamlet in the municipality of Orbetello characterised by its rocky promontory and its gulf, which is still a landing place and port for pleasure boats. The history of this small maritime locality, contrary to its size, is long and rich in episodes and characters of high standing. Of Etruscan-Roman origin, it was the scene of a decisive battle between the Romans and the Celts on their way to conquering Rome, later razed to the ground by Silla and dominated by the Aldobrandeschi family in the Middle Ages, who built walls and a fortress. It was later ceded to the Spanish Presidi State, then to the French Presidium, where Admiral Horatio Nelson landed in its port on his way to Egypt, and above all Giuseppe Garibaldi and the Thousand in 1860, for supplies of arms and water, during the famous expedition. Today it is a tourist resort, on the southern border of the Maremma Natural Park and a yachting port.
