La Trappola (x 6 people) details and photos

La Trappola is available at a lower rate for smaller parties. For details see La Trappola (x 2 people).

On the slopes of a sparsely inhabited promontory at the western extreme of Monte Argentario. The nearest shops and restaurants are at Porto Santo Stefano, a very winding 4km/2.5 miles. Orbetello - and the presqu'ile's supermarket - are 15 minutes' drive. Porto Ercole, about 20 minutes. Capalbio, on the mainland, is 40 minutes away, as are the spectacular hiking trails of the Monti dell'Uccellina nature reserve. Further inland, 45 minutes, is the lovely Maremma hill town of Magliano in Toscana.

.

Living/dining room with a fireplace leading out under a small terrace shaded by vines with a barbeque. Well-equipped open kitchen. Two double bedrooms. Twin bedroom. Three bathrooms, all with showers.

A very lovely informal garden bordered by a manicured olive grove, with rocky cliffs above and a sheer drop-off to the water below. The swimming pool, 9 x 4m /30 x 13 feet, is necessarily above-ground although this is concealed by a wooden platform for sunbathing in full view of the sea. A flight of 10 steps leads from the parking area down to the house, and a very steep path without rails leads from the garden down to the water.

Assistance is provided locally by the property's very affable offsite caretaker, who speaks a little English. Services included in the rental fee, and optional services available, are noted under Price and Availability.

Dishwasher. Microwave. Portable barbeque. Washing machine. Heated towel racks. Satellite TV with DVD. CD player. Central heating. Working fireplace.

No telephone.

Airports: Rome and Pisa, 2 hours. Railway station at Orbetello Scalo, 40 minutes. Monte Argentario is reached via Tuscany’s coastal road, which is excellent although not a motorway. Two long causeways stretch from the mainland to the presqu’ile, where the roads are notoriously twisting and often steep. Parking for five cars

Tennis at Orbetello. Riding stables at Giannella, about half an hour.

The pool has a constant depth of 1.3m/4.2 feet and a ladder for entry/exit.

The steep drop-off at the edge of the garden poses a decided risk for small children.