La Verbena

3km to the south is the scenic little hill-top village of Montiano, which boasts a 13th-century church and walls, a 12th-century clock tower, and the evocative ruins of a similarly ancient castle. It also has a couple of food shops, including a bakery, a bar with panoramic terrace, and a pizzeria-trattoria.

The nearby harbour town of Talamone (25mins), has plenty to offer, including boat hire, a popular lido on the rocks, and various water sports options (there’s a kite-surf beach just along the coast and a yacht club that organises sailing lessons for children). The town also has several restaurants, bars and shops, and in the summer evenings, the fishmonger fries up fresh prawns, calamari and other seafood on the harbourfront.

In terms of beaches, there are numerous options within a 30-minute drive, including the long stretch of sand at Spiaggia dell'Osa, and the pine-fringed beach of Feniglia, which connects Monte Argentario to the mainland. Just to the north, the Parco Naturale della Maremma (also known as the Parco Naturale dell'Uccellina) is home to a series of gloriously unspoilt beaches, including Cala di Forno and Marina di Alberese. The park also offers great cycling, walking and horse-riding trails and plenty of organised activities.

There are also numerous fascinating and beautiful villages, towns and cities to visit within about a 30-minute drive of La Verbena. These include Grosseto, with its fine historic centre, its 13th-century Cathedral of San Lorenzo and its Museo Archeologico e d'Arte della Maremma; Magliano in Toscana, a beautifully restored hill-top town with mediaeval walls, great restaurants and stunning views; Pereta, a tiny mediaeval village that comes alive in the summer with sagre (food festivals) and other events; Capalbio, another pristine mediaeval town with walls, a mighty castle and picturesque streets; Orbetello, the gateway to Monte Argentario; and the twin port towns of Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole on the northern and southern sides of Monte Argentario.

A little further afield is the picturesque coastal town of Castiglione della Pescaia (50mins), the mediaeval wine-producing town of Montalcino (1hr15), and Siena (1hr25). Should you wish to visit Tuscany's northern gems, including Pisa, Lucca and Florence, you'll be there in about two and a half hours.