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PORTO ERCOLE
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Porto Ercole
Monte Argentario is a comune (municipality) and a peninsula belonging to the Province of Grosseto in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 150 km south of Florence and about 35 km south of Grosseto. The peninsula is connected with the mainland by three dams which form two lagoons, the Laguna di Ponente on the west side and the Laguna di Levante on the east side of the middle dam.
The two main villages on Monte Argentario are Porto Santo Stefano, facing north, and Porto Ercole facing south.
The panoramic road Strada panoramica starts in Porto Santo Stefano allowing splendid views of the coast and the Tuscan Archipelago.
Monte Argentario borders the comune of Orbetello, which is located on the middle dam between the two lagoons.
Geography
Monte Argentario is a promontory stretching towards the Tyrrhenian Sea in correspondence of the two southernmost islands of the Tuscan Archipelago, Giglio and Giannutri. The promontory was also an island in past times,, but the sea currents and the Albegna river joined it with the mainland through two so-called tomboli (stretches of land), The Tombolo of Giannella and the Tombolo of the Feniglia.
The highest peak of Monte Argentario is the Punta Telegrafo (635 m). The landscape and the coast are mainly rocky; numerous harbors, usually with rock beaches, are present. The municipal seat is in the northern settlement, Porto Santo Stefano.
History
The promontory, probably already inhabited by the Etruscans, was a personal property of the Domitii Aenobarbi family, who obtained it in return for the money they lent to the Roman Republic in the Punic Wars. The current name stems probably from this origin, since Arganterii was the name of money lenders in ancient Rome.
Later an imperial possession, it was ceded to the church by Constantine the Great in the 4th century AD.In the Middle Ages, due to the reduced traffic passing on the nearby Via Aurelia, the area was sparsely settled. Following the history of Orbetello, the promontory was a possession of the Aldobrandeschi, Orsini, King Ladislas of Naples and Siena, until Spain acquired it in the late 16th century. The Spaniards heavily fortified the two ports, as the main stronghold of the State of Presidi. After Napoleon's defeat, in 1815 the Argentario was handed over to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, to which it remained until 1860, when it became part of the newly united Kingdom of Italy.
During World War II, the settlements of Argentario were heavily bombed, with numerous losses. The port of Santo Stefano was destroyed, and was rebuilt only in the 1950s. The railway that connected Orbetello to the mainland was never rebuilt.
Main sights
Fortezza Spagnola (Spanish Fortress), in Porto Santo StefanoForte Filippo and Forte Stella, in Porto ErcoleThe church of St. Erasmus, in the historical centre of Porto Ercole, not far from the Porta PisanaThe Via panoramica (Panoramic Road), running alongside the coast.
Demographic evolution
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Hotels in Porto Ercole
 | Park Hotel Residence  |
Score 6.675 from 11 reviews | | Via Donatori Del Sangue 1/a |  |
| Hotel and apartment house in Orbetello: Double rooms with breakfast, one and two-roomed apartments, provided with air conditioning, telephone, tv, garage (while places last), panoramic terrace with Jacuzzi and fitness equipment. At our guests’ disposal the bathing establishment and the bus to Feniglia beach in high season. Club card: It enables the access to some villages near the hotel, which offer special prices for our guests: At your disposal swimming pool, tennis courts. ... more | | |
 | Hotel Torre Di Cala Piccola  |
Score 7.85 from 40 reviews | | Località Cala Piccola | |
| In addition to the listed amenities all comfortable rooms have a shower or bath. ... more | | |
 | Baia D'argento |
Score 7.2 from 16 reviews | | Loc. Pozzarello | |
| Breakfast Buffet is available from 07:30-10:30.
The restaurant with half-board or à la carte menu is open between 19:30-22:00.
During the summer months the restaurant is open from 12:00 to 14:00 with a cold, light Mediterranean à la carte menu.
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 | Argentario Osa Village  |
Score 6.925 from 7 reviews | | via Aurelia | |
| On site, there is a stunning pool complex with a swimming pool and jacuzzi, situated on a terrace with a view of the sea.
In addition to the listed facilities the hotel offers basketball, volleyball, football and archery if you fancy playing sports and enjoying a more active holiday.
Facilities also include a shop and laundrettes, as well as a fenced area for pets, for your convenience.
During high season, the entertainment staff offers a great selection of group courses, tournaments and games during the day, whilst in the evening, you can enjoy theme events, dances, cabarets and live shows.
The private beach, just a short distance away, is equipped with sun lounges and parasols, and can be reached via a free shuttle service. For those keen to explore the local region, this site makes an excellent base. ... more | | |
 | Tenuta Uccellina |
Score 7.75 from 12 reviews | | Località Collecchio 38 | |
| A few kilometres from Grosseto, in the heart of Maremma Nature Reserve, is the Agricultural Estate of Uccellina covering 400 hectares, amidst cultivated land, woody areas and access to the sea.
The excellent geographical location and the Reserve’s unique inland position, allow you to cross the protected area diagonally, admiring different landscapes from plains to hilly slopes and down to the sea.
The Agricultural Estate of Uccellina is an ideal place for animal lovers and for a holiday that regenerates total well-being by staying in close contact with nature. Furthermore, it enables you to quickly reach the cities of art such as Siena, Pisa, Florence, Rome and the important Etruscan-Roman archaeological sites of Cosa, Roselle, Vetulonia,
Scansano, the wine cellars of Morellino and different spas including Saturnia. This enables you to discover seaside localities there.
Within the Agricultural Estate of Uccellina, the woody area on the western side is rich in ilex, oak, cork and sycamore trees. On the other hand, the eastern side towards the sea hosts a dense and compact maquis, populated with a wide variety of faunae including wild pigs, animals and foxes.
The rocky coves close to the maquis give exclusive access to one of the most scenic and unpolluted areas along the Tyrrhenian Coast. This enables you to enjoy a spectacular view of Giglio Island, Giannutri Island and Argentario.
The Agricultural Estate of Uccellina is identified by the ancient tower, The Torre Bassa (The Lower Tower) which is visible from the Aurelia main road. This tower is one of the most important historical features because it identifies with the only remains of the ancient castle of Collecchio, which would otherwise be unknown since there is no documentation to prove its establishment. Located on top of a lower hill immersed in a thick and compact woody maquis, the Tower was established during the reigning era of Aldobrandeschi from 1210. In the following centuries it was taken over by the Marsili family, which is bound to an enthralling legend stemming from modern times of the beautiful Margherita of Nanni Marsili who would have been abducted by Kair –ed –Din, also known as Barbarossa. The Collecchio Castle was located near the sea and subjected to continuous invasions by the Saracens. It was occupied by the Moors who kidnapped the girl with the intention of taking her to the harem of Sultan Solimano I. Another tower known as, “Bella Marsilia” (“the Beautiful Marsilia”) is also attached to this legend. It is enclosed in an embattled complex on the hills of Uccellina, however it is not part of the company.
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| | | More hotels in Porto Ercole |
| Galata Maritime Museum |
2 hours |
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The Galata Maritime Museum, with more than 10,000 meters of exhibition space, is now the largest maritime museum in the Mediterranean.
It is located in the oldest of the buildings of the municipal docks, restored by the Spanish architect Guillermo Vasquez Consuegra, who covered the original early seventeenth century building with steel, glass and wood.
The Galata is named after a base established by the Genovese at the port of Istanbul. It was the heart of the republic?s arsenal. Weapons were forged and stored here, but it was most important for the construction of the galleys, the ships which Genoa send to defend its power at sea.
The exhibition, arranged on four floors, logically starts with the large Galea. Spectacular reconstruction of ships and historic scenes, multimedia stations and spectacular audio-visual effects complete the wealth of nautical instruments, atlases, nautical maps, arms and antique pictures on show.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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8 hours |
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It's beauty lies in the magical atmosphere of the Porto Antico, the beating heart of Genoa, fulcrum for the city's cultural and social life and leisure-time. A completely pedestrian-only area facing the sea where you can visit the Genoa Aquarium, the Galata Maritime Museum and take a look at the city from up above on the Bigo, the Panoramic Elevator devised by Renzo Piano. The area of the old port was restored by Renzo Piano for the Columbus celebrations, the 500 year anniversary of the discovery of America. Since this time, every year larger areas of the old port are restored and converted to a new cultural usage. Its fascinating mixture of modern and medieval architecture attracts visitors from all over the world, making of the old port the busiest part of town, day and night.
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| Accademia Gallery and the Uffizi Gallery Guided Tour |
2 hours |
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Guided Visit to the Uffizi Gallery
You can't leave Florence without visiting one of the most important art galleries in the world. Occupying the top floor of a large building erected by Giorgio Vasari between 1560 and 1580, the gallery has a large collection of Primitive and Renaissance paintings. Amongst the pieces are works by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello, Giotto, Cimabue and Masaccio.
Guided Visit to the Accademia Gallery
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Michelangelo! The Accademia Gallery in Florence attracts visitors from all over the world to gaze upon masterpieces by famous artists, especially Michelangelo's most famous work - the statue of David. Other important works of art by Michelangelo include Prigioni and San Matteo.
There is also a collection of sculptures by the 19th century sculptors Lorenzo Bartolini and Luigi Pampaloni, as well as a section of Russian icons. Recently the Gallery has been further enriched by the collection of old musical instruments from the Cherubini Conservatory, the Museum of Musical Instruments.
Entry is pre-booked therefore there is no waiting in the main entrance ticket line!
If you would like to take the tours on different days, please indicate this at time of booking.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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