Promontorio dell'Argentario and Porto Sto Stefano

1. Yes. Long time ago. 2. Beautiful place. Sea, beaches, vistas, nature, fortresses, fishing villages, seafood, great base to visit Maremma (Capalbio), Talamone, Isola del Giglio.
3. Yes. Very beautiful. A top VIP destination especially from Rome area.

uh oh. VIP = €€€€?

This looks like an intriging spot. There are some reasonably priced accommodations, including B&Bs and an apartment or two, available for July in Porto Ercole and elsewhere, even on the western side. I wonder if this gorgeous peninsula is like Cap Ferrat on the Côte d'Azur...? Though a stroll using Google Street View shows there's a lot more infrastructure than on Cap Ferrat. Streets are utterly pristine. Looks like it would be an easily accessible place (with a car) for some R&R, a vacation from one's vacation.

It's just money Nigel and you can't take it with you beyond this life. Enjoy it. As Pope Francis said last week about people's habit of accumulating riches: "I've never seen a moving truck following a casket at a funeral". Just take a camera with you. You might strike a fortune as a Paparazzo. The place is a favorite destination of politicians and show business people. Susanna Agnelli, of the Agnelli family, the founders of FIAT, was the mayor there for many years when I was living in Italy.

The Agnelli family also has a beautiful villa built into the hillside in Levanto on the western side of the CT. I was meandering around the back streets and chanced upon it, saw the name on a brass plate near a gate. I asked a local person about it at dinner later and she confirmed it was indeed the same family.

Well I'll have to have a look around. I'm not much for celebs though.