Beautiful balcony view

mmaculately furnished interiors, enchanting sea views and delightful communal grounds make for a fantastic vacation at Casa Alice, a penthouse apartment set in a large villa just a short walk from the beaches of Due Pini and Pozzarello in the Argentario.

In addition to admiring a glorious sea view that is framed by the long sandy Giannella beach extending to mainland Italy, up to seven guests at Casa Alice can bathe in the shared swimming pool and dine in the variety of restaurants in the three nearby towns.

Enjoy a morning coffee here

Outdoors: Situated at the front of the spacious villa that has been divided into six high-quality holiday apartments, the shared pool is surrounded by sunloungers and has a lawn and a barbecue-dining area with a marble-top table adjacent to it. There is also a canopy swing and tables with parasols. The pool has a shallow end for children and is encircled by a low wall.

The pool area does enjoy a sea view, but this is best appreciated from the more elevated position of the balcony of Casa Alice, where a small table and set of chairs give the perfect environment for sunset drinks or morning coffee. A larger terrace with garden furniture is at the entrance to the penthouse apartment and is the best place to enjoy al fresco meals - a barbecue can be provided on request.

Large sliding patio doors

Shared pool with sea beyond

Indoors: Immediately inside the entrance to Casa Alice is the smart indoor dining area, with a glass-topped wrought iron table. Both this and the terrace are well-situated next to the kitchenette, which is well-equipped with appliances - including a dishwasher - and partitioned from the rest of the living area by a high wall.

Comfortable lounge area

Extra lounge/bedroom area

A few steps lead to the upper living area, where comfortable sofas are set around a coffee table, and more steps lead down to the narrow lower lounge. This is the best place to appreciate the sea view from inside the penthouse, and at the other end of the room is a low futon-style double bed, which means it can also be used to accommodate two guests.

Open plan living/dining room

Main double bedroom

On the opposite side of the upper living area, the bathrooms and bedrooms are found at the foot of a few steps. Like the rest of the apartment, the master bedroom is air-conditioned. It has the main shower room adjacent to it, and beyond this is the second bedroom, with a tiled en-suite shower room. This bedroom makes intelligent use of space to comfortably accommodate three guests beneath the slanted ceiling - cupboards are built into the walls and the low beds can be used as three singles or a double and one single.

Long sandy Feniglia beach

Surrounding Area: Casa Alice is located in the twin hamlet of Pozzarello and I Due Pini, which is well situated within a short drive, or longer cycle ride, of all three of the Argentario’s towns. The hamlet has its own sandy beach in the little cove, but while this is a convenience for guests at Casa Alice, it pales in comparison with the enormous sand bank of Giannella, a beach with many amenities that ties the island to mainland Italy. Rocky coves along the north and west sides of the Argentario are fascinatingly beautiful and offer plenty in terms of sea-life, while the coastline to the east offers more sandy beaches including Feniglia, the sandbank that partners Giannella. In between the two sandbanks, built upon the lagoon, is the town of Orbetello. This is well worth a visit, particularly in the early evening when residents perform the passeggiata, a routine of getting dressed up in your finest and strolling up and down the town’s main street, that seems to be a particularly popular custom in Tuscan towns.

Porto Santo Stefano

Giannella beach

Beyond the lagoon is the smart town of Porto Ercole, protected by two robust forts and enjoying a peaceful atmosphere, particularly in the harbour bars where an eclectic mix of tourists, fishermen and residents meet to have a coffee or snack. Much closer to Casa Alice is the lively town of Porto Santo Stefano, which is just a five minute drive away and comes in several distinct sections. Upon entering from the direction of Pozzarello, visitors will find themselves in the functional port, where ferries and fishing boats are accompanied by some excellent value trattorias. In addition to an excellent meal, visitors can embark on excursions to Giglio and Giannutri from here. A long boulevard takes you round to the smarter port, where more expensive bars and ristorantes cater for the luxury yachts. Behind this port is the medieval town – a winding network of cobbled streets and eroded steps – and beyond that is the modern town, where an old fort that protects the harbour.

View of P.S. Stefano

Orbetello old streets

While the Argentario and its neighbouring islands have plenty to offer, and Casa Alice is well placed to access all the best features, guests should consider longer excursions to mainland Tuscany. Its well-known cities and medieval hilltop towns make for a memorable daytrip and the natural springs at Saturnia are a remarkable natural phenomonon that can be reached in a little over an hour by car.

Sightseeing: Porto Santo Stefano, Porto Ercole, Orbetello, La Feniglia, Giglio, Giannutri, Rome, Tuscany.

The smart dining table

Italian Islands Insight: Car hire is recommended so that guests can take advantage of Casa Alice’s wonderful position. The penthouse is fully air-conditioned and, having been refurbished in 2004, is furnished to a very high standard to ensure that it remains spacious even when at full capacity.

It would be well suited for a family or group of friends who desire a quieter location with many facilities, but who will also want to make the most of the area they are visiting and fully absorb themselves in the delights of the Argentario.

The irregular-shaped pool

Bedroom with double & single bed

There are three other equally elegant apartments in this three-storey villa that are also available for rent and some can connect with each other to suit large groups. All are decorated in the same style with similar furnishings and the same standard of appliances. Casa Donatella is a two-bedroom ground floor apartment that can sleep 4 plus an extra 2 on the living room sofa bed. It has a bathroom and a shower room as well as a front patio overlooking the pool with the sea beyond. This also has a small private garden with gazebo. Alessandra is a first floor two-bedroom apartment sleeps 4+2 with two shower rooms. It has a living/dining area, a study with a double sofa bed and a terrace. Casa Giulia is also on the first floor and sleeps a total of 6 + 2 in three bedrooms and a double sofa bed. There are three shower rooms too and the usual living/dining room and terrace.