Inshore currents led to the build-up of two narrow sand spits, creating a lagoon between them. The ancient and unassuming town of Orbetello was linked to the mainland by the Romans, who built a causeway, forming a third spit of land .The coastline of Monti dell'Uccellina is a protected natural park (Parco Naturale Regionale della Maremma). It is claimed that this is the last stretch of virgin coastline on the Italian peninsula and it is indeed spectacularly beautiful, containing forested hills, pristine beaches, coastal marshland and cliffs. There is no public road access, but an hourly bus takes visitors into the park to the start of a variety of trail walks. HOW DO I GET THERE, AND GET AROUND? The main gateway to Tuscany is Galileo Galilei airport, within walking distance of the leaning tower of Pisa, yet which is described in schedules as "Florence Pisa". Flights are operated by Ryanair (0871 246 0000, ) from Stansted and by British Airways (0845 77 333 77, ).

The airport has its own modest train station, with hourly departures to Pisa's main station and to Florence. Rail connections around Tuscany are reasonable, and pretty cheap, but to reach smaller villages a car is handy; the airport has a wide range of car rental companies.The much smaller Amerigo Vespucci airport in Florence has flights from Gatwick on Meridiana (020-7839 2222, ).If the hill towns of Tuscany capture your imagination, you could try a hill-town holidays offered by Ace Study Tours (01223 835055, ). For the more active, Footloose (01865 315678, ) runs walking and cycling tours in Tuscany .Winetrails organises walking trips taking in wine estates and wine tastings (01306 712111, ). Finally, Magic of Italy (08700 270 500, ) offers escorted tours and tailor-made tours around Tuscany, as well as villas and hotels.How can I buy my winter wardrobe on the cheap...

and look as good as a stylish Italian?In the little town of Montevarchi, south-east of Florence, the people are among the best-dressed in Italy. Young men from across the country spill out from the railway station and hail taxis to take them to an anonymous building on an industrial estate on the road to Mercetale – the home of Prada.Tuscany has a number of designer factory outlets, within striking distance of Florence. They have a wide selection of stock; most of it is last season's or older, but this does not deter the bargain-seekers.Prada's outlet in Montevarchi also sells Miu Miu and Helmut Lang. Because it is so popular with Italians, you should arrive early to avoid a scene that looks as though it's been stripped by locusts. The address is 1 Pellettieri d'Italia, Localita Levanella (00 39 055 919 01); open 9.30am-7.30pm (from 2.30pm on Sundays).Next in line is Dolce & Gabbana at Spaccio Aziendale, Localita Santa Maddalena 49, Pian dell'Isola, Incisa in Val d'Arno, (00 39 055 833 11), open 9am-7pm (from 3pm on Sundays). A Fendi outlet is nearby at Via Pian dell' Isola 66/33, Rignano sull'Arno (00 39 055 834 981, 10am-7pm daily).Finally, the Mall has Gucci, Georgio Armani, Yves Saint Laurent and many others.