Gitavillage Il Gabbiano

Cross the sea to reach the Argentario harbour towns of Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano (both 20 minutes’ drive) and explore the rest of the promontory from here: the Spanish Fortress and Forte Stella (25 minutes) are particularly worth visiting if you’re into your history. Another scenic settlement to set off towards by car is Orbetello in the middle of the lagoon of the same name, a commune linked up with Argentario by a manmade road. Head here to visit handsome structures like the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the Palazzo del Podestà and the ancient walls. For an inland roam, amble to Capalbio (30 minutes) and wander the historic centre before moving on to the Tarot Garden amid the Mediterranean scrublands a few kilometres out. This park dreamt up by the famed artist Niki de Saint Phalle is incredibly colourful, so don't forget to pack your camera. And the grand finale to a day out? Immersing yourself in the hot water of the Terme di Saturnia natural spa baths in the Maremma hinterland (50 minutes). The sulphurous springs, which flow from a volcanic crater and have a consistent temperature of 37 degrees Celsius, have calcified over time to create pools in an eye-catching milky-white colour.