Costa Piccola

The beach: From a holidayer‘s point of view the private beach of the estate is a real asset, and it is close to the house. The beach is of fine sand with a multitude of coloured shells. Behind the beach, the dunes are covered with a labyrinth of wild aromatic bushes such as myrtle and cistus-roses which blossom at different times of the year. Two cafés down the beach have coffé, ice-cream and also serves light meals.

Lake Burano: The estate borders on the Lake Burano, a lagoon run by the WWF. The bird-watching here is excellent, above all in spring and autumn.

The WWF Maremma National Park: The Parco dell’Uccellina, officially the Parco Nazionale Maremmano, is a rewarding place for nature lovers. Marked footpaths will lead you through incredibly beautiful pine woods to hidden creeks, past romantic ruins of fortified watch towers to the abbey of San Rabano, built by monks who arrived from Rhodes in the X century.

Vulci is another natural park of the WWF. The castle called “Castello dell’Abbadia”  has become the National Archeological Museum  of Vulci with a beautiful collection of ceramics, sculptures and bronzes. We recommend a walk over the Roman bridge of l’Abbadia. From here, on foot or by car, you may reach the remains of the Etruscan and Roman town of Vulci called “La Civita”. The area has become an archeological park and offers a choice of many walks.

The Etruscans: A trip through what was known as Etruria is one of the most interesting archaeological excursions in Italy. Tarquinia and Tuscania, only 25 kms away from the estate, boast worldwide famous archeological excavations which should not be missed.

Tarquinia is world famous for its Etruscan tombs and frescoes. The necropolis of Tarquinia is on the outskirts of town and easy to find. In town the beautiful  15th century Palazzo Vitelleschi is now the Archeological Museum.

Tuscania: Dating back to the Etruscan period, it became an important fortification in the middle-ages. The two romanic churches of Santa Maria Maggiore are remarkable. A walk through the center of the town is rewarding.

Monte Argentario: Only half an hour from the estate lies the Monte Argentario, a peninsula connected with the mainland by three dams. The Monte Argentario is known for its fine coastline, rich mediterranean vegetation and the two jet set harbours Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano. For lovers of adventure at Monte Argentario, where renting a boat, you may experience one of the most charming seas in Italy. Recently a kite surfing school has opened on the beach.

The Tarot Garden of Niki de Saint-Phalle: On one of the hills not far from the estate the famous French artist hs built her „Jardin des Tarots“, twenty two giant sculptures inspired by the figures of the magic tarot cards. Children love it!

Villa Lante, Bagnaia-Viterbo: one of Italy’s most stunning Renaissance gardens. At 80 kms, just over an hours drive. Can be combined with a visit too.

Palazzo Farnese in Caprarola, one of Italy’s most stunning Renaissance buildings. The Scala Regia is an elaborate stone spiral staircase that let Cardinal Alessandro Farnese  (later Pope Paul III) reach the bedrooms on horseback.  The Palazzo contains masterpieces by some of the most important painters and architects of the period.

Sovana, Sorano and Pitigliano are three towns at 1 h drive. Sovana boasts a magnificent Etruscan necropolis and 2 remarkable Romanic churches. Pitigliano is a medieval town high up on a crest, with a Jewish community dating back to the 16th c. It is also known for the white wine Bianco di Pitigliano. The Medieval town of Sorano spreads at the foot of the 14th century Orsini Castle.

Sports: Main feature of the Maremma is… the thermal wind, from April to September the wind blows 4 to 5 days a week with an intensity ranging from 12 to 25 knots. The beaches of Castiglione, Talamone and Capalbio provide suitable spots for any kind of wind condition, where you can practice freestyle, waveriding and long downwind. The tennis club in Pescia Romana, the village, has several courts which can be booked by the hour. There are two golf courses in the region. The Golf Club Maremmello, 20 min away, has 9 holes, Par 70. The famous Punta Ala Club is 1 hour by car, it has 18 holes, Par 72.

The islands and hiring a boat: in Porto Santo Stefano, 30 minutes drive from the estate, you can hire boat which will take you to te islands of Giglio and Giannutri off the Tuscan coast. Giglio has a charming main village and castle, and many creeks hidden between the cliffs. Giannutri, its bare coastline dominated by the ruins of a Roman villa overlooking the sea, recalls some of the Greek islands, which deep-sea divers can look for sunken Roman galeons on the sea bed.