{"id":10099,"date":"2014-09-18T07:30:00","date_gmt":"2014-09-18T05:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arttrav.com\/?p=10099"},"modified":"2015-12-01T14:06:03","modified_gmt":"2015-12-01T13:06:03","slug":"what-to-do-in-monte-argentario","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arttrav.com\/tuscany\/what-to-do-in-monte-argentario\/","title":{"rendered":"Off-season Argentario"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tuscany’s seaside is not just for the hottest days of summer. Gorgeous views, great fish and fresh air make coastal areas like Monte Argentario in Maremma<\/strong> a perfect off-season destination. Prices go down, the masses disappear, and you have all this to yourself. Recently I had the chance to explore the Argentario, one of the most exclusive areas of Tuscany, and I wonder why I had not been there yet! Populated primarily by VIP resorts, once you get a taste of the extreme beauty here you’ll see why it’s such a desirable location.<\/p>\n

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Forte Filippo seen from Forte Stella<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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What to do in Monte Argentario<\/h2>\n

Take in the view – Forte Stella<\/h3>\n
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The view from Forte Stella<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I visited Forte Stella, above Porto Ercole, upon the recommendation of Elisa on her blog Maremma Tuscany<\/a>. This is when I realized the extent of the beauty of this area. It truly cannot be captured by photos. The fort itself was built in 1552 by the Sienese, allied with the French, to defend the strategic port from the Florentines, who had allied with the Spanish. In addition to Forte Stella they built 5 other forts on the hilltops around this town, three of which remain, but this is the only one that is open to the public. This was a massive investment on the part of the unfortunate Sienese, who lost the whole area to Florence and the Medici Grande Duke of Tuscany in 1555. The original nucleus of the fort was later surrounded by star-shaped external walls designed by Medici architect Buontalenti upon Spanish commission in 1558, though completed over the following century.<\/p>\n

Hit the beach<\/h3>\n

The view from Forte Stella is enough to make you want to jump into that sparking turquoise water. If it’s warm enough, you may do so – there are plenty of beach entries that you can see on the drive down. If it’s not hot out, you can still go for a beautiful bike ride and enjoy a beach with nobody else on it.<\/p>\n