A Garden In Town

A Garden In Town: Tuscany

On the outside, this Tuscan villa is all demure class and tradition, while inside each room has its own personality. Entering the 19th-century villa you’re welcomed with an elegant sitting room, surrounding an original fireplace. The dining room is set for 10 people, and the adjacent kitchen is a pristine white space brimming with country charm. The grand lounge at the heart of the home is furnished with a velvet suite, where you can imagine lords and ladies gathering for an evening. Smaller sitting rooms are tucked into arched alcoves and hidden behind swathes of satin curtains. Each bedroom has its own sense of traditional style, from flowery Victoriana furnishings to wrought-iron bed frames on herringbone floor. Outside, 4,000 square metres of mature gardens hide deckchairs and sun loungers. A porticoed terrace houses the alfresco dining option and a long swimming pool awaits beneath olive trees and ivy. The sprawling grounds give a sense of country escape, but you’re within walking distance of the shops, restaurants and myriad amenities of Calenzano town centre. What’s more, it’s a 30-minute drive to Florence for the perfect day trip.

Home truths:
* The pool is open from June to October
* Pets are welcome for an additional fee, just ask your host
* There is a charge for heating, should you be staying in the cooler months
* A personal laundry and ironing service can be provided at extra cost