Tranquil Coastal Villa in Italy's Monte Argentario

Buying a run-down farmhouse and running off to the Tuscan hillsides is a common fantasy among Italophiles. But if you want to take your dreams for la dolce vita a step further than Frances Mayes’s best-selling memoir Under the Tuscan Sun, you might end up on the coast in a place called Monte Argentario, Porto Ercole.

Situated a few minutes from the famous village of Porto Ercole is Lo Sbarcatello. Taking full advantage of the breathtaking view offered by the coast and the privacy of a setting protected by greenery and hills, this oasis of tranquility presents a villa that inspires another vision for living altogether. Renovated less than a year ago, the two-story 5,845-square-foot villa retains the traditional Tuscan architecture on the outside while revealing modernity on the inside. Listing agent Sofia Scotto compares the home to a "window that looks to the sea," adding that "design, style and luxury" are balanced "without sacrificing the practicality of the rooms." The materials of the renovation are high quality, Scotto assures us. And her promise bears out, as seen from the boiserie to the exposed beams, to the marble and parquet floors, up to the luxury furnishings and numerous comforts such as underfloor heating and retractable air conditioning systems. The ground floor is divided into a large living area with an adjacent dining room, a fully equipped kitchen and a guest bedroom with a private bathroom. A service room with a bathroom, laundry area and large cellar help complete the home's more functional needs. Upstairs is a second large living room, two bedrooms with ensuite bathroom and the primary bedroom suite with sleeping quarters, luxe bathroom and a Turkish-style bath. Outside, the property maximizes its magical position facing the sea with spacious outdoor rooms and spaces for entertaining, including a dreamy porch with dining and living areas and a huge terrace for taking in the panoramas. Surrounding the villa, a large private terraced park boasts an extremely well-kept lawn garden, flower plants and centuries-old olive trees. From the villa, in a few minutes, you can reach "Lo Sbarcatello," a beach made of pebbles characterized by the clear and crystalline water typical of Monte Argentario. The property maintains its privacy via an electric gate, and includes a large parking area and private well, making the picture of a coastal Italian life complete. View the complete listing by Sofia Scotto of Coldwell Banker Argentario.