Torre di Cala Piccola is not just a Boutique Hotel, it is also a significant promoter of culture. The third edition of the Enrico Basile Journalism Award was held on July 16th in the beautiful Fortezza Spagnola in Porto Santo Stefano. The protagonist of the evening was Paolo Guzzanti, who was granted this important award for his remarkable contributions during his many years as a journalist. Throughout his career, Guzzanti played different roles in nationally relevant media: he worked as a correspondent for Avanti, chief editor and special correspondent for La Repubblica and La Stampa in the United States, vice-director of Il Giornale, and columnist for Panorama. An admirable curriculum that is made even shinier by his different experiences as TV anchor for different shows, and even more noble by his political role as a senator and as president of the parliamentary commission to investigate the Mitrokhin case. The sun was setting during the award ceremony, which made this a unique moment, as you can see in the video: Massimo Sandrelli, president of Boutique Hotel Torre di Cala Piccola, who has always been a culture aficionado, emphasized: “Enrico Basile was a journalist who loved the Argentario”. A love he shares with the winner of the award, Paolo Guzzanti, who stated he was “very happy to be back to the Promontory”. The award was created in 2019 to honour the memory of Enrico Basile, who chose the Argentario as his quiet refuge, away from his everyday hustle. A parliamentary journalist, he wrote for many newspapers, including Il Giornale di Sicilia, for which he was chief editor for twenty years. He also collaborated with Rai for many years, standing out as one of the authors of famous show Porta a Porta, since its premiere. The first edition of the journalism award dedicated to Basile went to Bruno Vespa, the face of Porta a Porta, while the second edition was awarded to Mario Sconcerti. The ceremony held at the Fortezza Spagnola was organised in collaboration with the Don Pietro Fanciulli Study Centre, the Boutique Hotel Torre di Cala Piccola, the Pro Loco of Porto Santo Stefano, and the Cultura e Mare Cala Piccola association, sponsored by the Commune of Monte Argentario and financed by Banca Tema.

The splendid nature, idyllic atmosphere, and the scent of the sea in the Argentario bring to mind memories of magnificent summers. An atmosphere that has given life to many new loves and made generations dream. The Boutique Hotel Torre di Cala Piccola was the backdrop to one of the world’s most intense love stories. Gorgeous Hollywood stars Liz Taylor and Richard Burton eloped to the Argentario once and chose Cala Piccola as their discreet and dreamy destination, exactly 60 years ago, in 1963. Their love blossomed as they were shooting Cleopatra in Cinecittà, in Rome, and although they were both married at the time, they found it impossible to resist that passion. Immediately pasted on to the front pages of newspapers, their intense and tumultuous relationship was marked by romantic elopements, cheating, memorable fights and spectacular gifts from Burton to Taylor in the hopes he’d be forgiven – gifts such as a 70-carat diamond. Nina Benini, director of Cala Piccola back at the time, told current president Massimo Sandrelli described their arrival at the hotel as sudden and unexpected, like a lightning bolt. All they asked for was maximum discretion and tranquillity. Nina Benini complied by barricading the hotel against journalists and photographers. Only one of the “dolce vita” photographers, Marcello Geppetti, managed to snatch a handful of shots of the couple at the Calla Piccola little beach and in the streets of Porto Santo Stefano. Their mad love ended in a divorce in 1976. In 1978, Liz auctioned off her 70-carat diamond. But their last love letter was written by Burton to Liz, in 1984, prior to his death in Switzerland. The memory of their overwhelming passion has resisted for sixty years and the Boutique Hotel Cala Piccola has remained an oasis of peace and discretion where guests can live moments of awe as they admire Argentario sunsets and watch new, intense loves blossom.

Relax and play golf in one of the most beautiful places of the coast of Tuscany: at the Argentario you can play your favourite sport and stay at the Boutique Hotel Torre in Cala Piccola. The Argentario and the Tuscan Maremma are the perfect backdrop for a round of golf immersed in the surprising nature of the Mediterranean scrub, with a view of the azure sea. The XVI edition of the Cala Piccola Trophy for this sport, much beloved by our guests, will be held on 7 May 2023. Participants and their companions can stay at the Boutique Hotel di Cala Piccola. To discover the deals and packages dedicated to the golf tournament, contact our Front Desk. For golf lovers spending their holidays at the Argentario, we offer a series of golf courses affiliated with the Boutique Hotel Torre di Cala Piccola: Argentario Golf Club A few minutes from the natural reserve of Feniglia, the Argentario Golf Club offers 18 holes in 6,218 metres. Golf Club Punta Ala The Punta Ala Golf Club has 18 holes in 6,168 metres by the sea. Il Pelagone The 18 holes of Il Pelagone are spread in a park with a wonderful view of Elba. Golf Saturnia In harmony with nature, near the famous baths of the same name, Saturnia boasts 18 holes along 6,136 metres. For further information on golf courses, their affiliation plans and the advantages of the Boutique Hotel Torre di Cala Piccola, please contact us.

The Boutique Hotel Torre di Cala Piccola never ceases to amaze its guests. During the 2022 summer season, our Boutique Hotel was the protagonist of cultural events linked to the magnificent Tuscany and Argentario. These special events allowed guests, and not only, to travel through the great history of the area and be entertained by Italian theatre. After the inauguration of the Permanent exhibition on the fortifications of the State of the Presidi in Tuscany, “The celebration of the Towers”, a historical re-enactment of the signalling system of the Towers of Argentario took place on 24 June. The coast is dotted with watchtowers and signal towers that guaranteed safety and protection during the period of constant raids and incursions by Barbary and Turkish pirates: the “Orbetello Royal Presidi Historical” group participated in the celebration. Following on, in July and August, our splendid location was the setting for two theatrical performances by the “Compagnia delle Seggiole” theatre company of Florence. On 30 July 2022, guests at the Boutique Hotel Torre di Cala Piccola attended Machiavelli's “The Mandrake”, a sixteenth-century theatrical masterpiece, right at the foot of the Tower. Here is the video: On 27 August, the theatre company of Florence returned to the stage at the Torre di Cala Piccola with “Spogliati!” (meaning “Strip!”) a truly entertaining show about love. Guests at the Boutique Hotel and those invited to the shows discovered a different side to Torre di Cala Piccola, that of an evocative stage of culture and entertainment, overlooking the Argentario sea. We are ready to welcome you again, from 6 April 2023, with new emotions: take a look at our offers.