The Sweetest Life

Staying at this sprawling Tuscan estate is like having your own ancient borgo (small village). Hectares of grounds are dotted with cypress trees, dense woodland, ancient olive groves and gardens blossoming with flowers. You could get your daily steps in just wandering the grounds. Following a woodland path, you’ll find the private swimming pool in complete seclusion, lined with loungers and shaded by towering trees. There are seating areas aplenty and spots to dine outdoors. For a real celebration, a banqueting table can be set up in the flower-filled courtyard.

The villa itself is set around a traditional courtyard-style with a separate annexe housing some of the bedrooms. It’s a vision of Tuscan tradition – wooden ceilings, tiled floors and antique furniture in every room. The huge dining table can fit the whole group for breakfasts and the chrome, the professional kitchen could rival that of a Michelin-starred restaurant. Bedrooms are all ensuite, and have the touches of Victoriana and 19th-century splendour, like winged armchairs, dark wood desks and wrought-iron bed frames.

You’re out in splendid isolation here, with nothing but the sound of birds in the trees and the clink of glasses on the terrace. However, if you do fancy a day trip, Monteriggioni is just two kilometres away – a beautiful fortified village sitting atop a hill with a handful of traditional restaurants.

Home truths:
*The pool is open from the last Saturday in April until the first Saturday in October
*For those with reduced mobility, there are multiple ground-floor bedrooms and bathrooms here
*There is air conditioning, but it is only in the bedrooms, not the reception rooms
*Eight of the bedrooms have beds that can be arranged as either doubles or twins, and the default is one twin room – let your host know how you would like the beds arranged
*Having a car is recommended here and there is plenty of private parking on-site
*Your host can provide a cot for infants, just request it in advance