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Villa Talamo
Fonteblanda, Tuscany, Italy
Villa Talamo
Fonteblanda, Tuscany, Italy
A Polished Tuscan Hideaway in the Land of Solace
A striking, fully-catered villa offering stately elegance and access to this notably rugged section of coastline, Villa Talama combines 18th-century history and refinement with a looser, 21st century lodge-like ambiance.
A noble Tuscan hideaway dating from the 1700s, this prominent villa strikes a sophisticated and luxurious pose in a remarkably wild part of Tuscany’s coastline. The palatial residence’s polished suites are generous and well-appointed, with common areas offering an aristocratic, hunting lodge-meets-country-chateau atmosphere. There are three suites with sea views that sleep two guests each. Four double rooms have ensuite bathrooms and garden views. Three further double rooms have private external bathrooms and sea views.
Experiences add to the elevated ambiance, including concierge-created cycling, hiking and horseback tours, sommelier-led and chef-organized food and wine workshops, truffle hunting in season, and chartered boat trips along Tuscany’s rugged Argentario coastline.
The villa’s vast garden is lushly Mediterranean and neatly manicured, extending down to the rocky waterfront with its sandy crescent of beach. An infinity pool is steps from the sea, and outdoor lounge areas overlook the historic Porto di Talamone, a breathtaking old fishing harbor and ancient sentinel site celebrated in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace.
AROUND
The rugged Argentario coast of southern Tuscany is a promontory connected to the mainland that is sometimes referred to as the Costa d’Argento, or Silver Coast. Settled by Etruscans, followed by Greeks, Romans, and Florentines, the coastal inland is still home to herders and cattle ranchers, winemakers and fishermen. The area is famed for its “secret coves” and sentinel towers and is insulated by the Maremma Natural Park and several Mediterranean scrub and rockscapes that are protected wildlife refuges.
The region remains lesser known and wilder feeling than many of Italy’s picturesque coastlines. Pine stands and aromatic shrubs extend upwards from the cliff-backed inlets, and the water shines a vivid shade of turquoise, with swirls of navy blue. Vineyards stripe the countryside and have for centuries, including the DOCs of Ornellaia, Marchesi Mazzei, Argiano and Tenuta Ammiraglia. Wine-growing estates are offset by fields of wildflowers, cultivated plots of grain and unexpected pasture land. Active cowboys ranch cattle in the region, and locally-raised beef joins locally-caught seafood on the region’s fine dining menus.
A region of hot springs (Saturnia Hot Springs) and historical towns, sites include historic Viterbo and the Etruscan zone around Vetralia, the marble quarries around Massa Marittima, and the larger communities of Montalcino, known for its wines, the small coastal city of Grosseto, and the village of Orbetello. Watersports are abundant, including scuba diving at Cala Piccola, cliff diving at La Cantoniera, wind- and kite-surfing at La Giannella beach, and family-friendly swimming at La Feniglia. The area’s wildest, most isolated beach is Cacciarella, reachable by sea or on foot. A rocky cove, Cacciarella is watched over by a pirate’s tower and surrounded by sea grottoes including the Grotta del Turco, where local fishermen are said to have retreated from marauding Turkish pirates.
LOCATION
Fonteblanda, Tuscany, Italy. Nearest airports: Grosseto (private, 23km), Rome (120km), Fiumicino (122km), Pisa (180km), Florence (167km).
BEST TIME TO VISIT: April to October
