The Valley Museum

Set close to the historic villages of Anghiari and Sansepolcro, this delightful historic home is packed with authentic character. Its typical terraced gardens include formal lawns and lush floral borders, all surrounded by the rich countryside of eastern Tuscany – its rural heart.

Built into a slope, with three floors, this imposing period villa is a piece of Tuscan nostalgia. With shuttered windows, bedroom balconies and a top floor covered balcony for admiring the stunning views, it's a real slice of local life. The feel here is very lived-in, with each room boasting a unique character. None more so than the formal games room, painted a deep red, where you'll find a huge antique dining table, a chandelier and – of course – a suit of armour. Elsewhere, there are cool, neutral living spaces with exposed stone walls, a modern kitchen and enough bedrooms and bathrooms to give a large family or a big group of friends plenty of space. There's even a second kitchen in the annexe, so part of your group can have extra independence.

There's plenty to keep you occupied too, with all sorts of board games provided, table football indoors and table tennis outside. And then there's the impressive private pool with its luxury sun loungers. In the evenings, grill on the barbecue, enjoy drinks on the terrace and watch the sun set over the green hills.

Home truths:
*At capacity, two guests will be sleeping on a sofa bed in the study
*In addition to the main home, there's an attached annexe with a kitchen/sitting room and bathroom
*There's laptop-friendly workspace here if you need to get some work done during your stay
*There's an extra single bed in one of the double bedrooms, suitable for a child
*The pool is open from the last Saturday in April to the first Saturday of October
*Air conditioning is only available in the bedrooms
*A cot and high chair are available