Porto Santo Stefano area holiday cottage

My wife and I had a week in October and were blessed with 6 warm sunny days to enjoy this idyllic property .

The cottage is as described in the brief and I agree with everything in the earlier review.

The view and isolation are just fantastic and this is my favourite of all the places that we have stayed. Even though it feels away from it all, the town and supermarket are only a 10 minute drive away and there is a private cove for swimming at a similar distance.

Allegra and Sebastiano are very friendly and helpful and will help out with any questions.

Porto San Stephano is an upmarket yachtie resort catering for well healed Romans. It is lovely but not lively and eating out is not cheap, nor is English widely spoken. However, the cottage has excellent catering facilities and you can buy the freshest of fish right on the quay.

The quiet and isolation will not suit everyone, but, if (like us) you want peace and quiet and fantastic views you'll have a wonderful holiday. There are also plenty of fascinating medieval towns within easy reach (starting with Orbitello in the middle of the lagoon). Take plenty of books to supplement the supply at the cottage

Perched on a hilltop overlooking Isola Rossa and Gianutra
islands,the view will take your breath away.Our favourite activity here was just sitting on the balcony with a glass of vino watching the yachts and fishing boats coming and going on a clear blue sea.
The house itself is ideal for a couple or three people,though it can accomodate four in a double room(ensuite) and a twin(bathroom adjacent)
The kitchen/sitting room has a large window looking out over the bay,a dining table,comfortable sofa,fireplace,tv (Italian stations),CD player,and kitchen area with dishwasher and washing machine.No microwave.As often in Italian houses there is no kettle.
Outside the balcony overhangs the hillside olivegroves(children would need constant supervision) and has the most wonderful views with trees providing dappled shade.
The garden and outside area has two bamboo canopies on
different levels and plenty of shaded areas.
The road to the house from Porto SS is good surface all the way to the electronicaly controlled gates with some hairpin bends.
The estate consists of three houses ,including the owners,
and is very private and secure.None of the other houses impinge on your privacy and are not always occupied.
This is Tuscany with a twist and different from the inland areas. Porto Santo Stefano is a lovely large town with everything you need and great seafood shops in the harbour. A good supermarket is SMA on the road to the house.CooP supermarket in Orbetello.Boats can be hired in Porto SS or Porto Ercole(another nice town). There are miles of beaches all within 20mins drive.
Inland,and well worth a visit is the beautiful,walled town of Capalbio(40mins).Further afield and a must is Pitigliano(1hr
30mins).An amazing town which rises from the rock on which it was built .Another seaside town with great views is Talamone with it's castle and harbour.
This whole area is relatively undiscovered by foreign tourists but becomes very busy in July and August with an influx of wealthy Romans and yacht owners.
Drawbacks(very few)
Water in the house is not suitable for drinking.
Dishwasher needs replacing.
Outside furniture could be better but adequate.
Prices slightly dearer than elsewhere.
Not suitable for disabled(sloping site,steps)
No guides or info in house.

Positives(Too many to mention)
Friendly owner.
Outstanding location.
Very good value for seaview property.
Sea Breeze etc etc etc.
Food.La Buca.(Talamone)