Countryside Classico

Countryside Classico: Tuscany

Surrounded by olive groves and vineyards up in the Chianti Classico hills, this villa is pure luxury. Sprawling grounds house sunny patios with outdoor dining and seating for everyone. A full outdoor kitchen provides an alfresco option, perhaps encompassing the fresh vegetables and olives growing in the garden. A long, turquoise pool is lined with loungers and looks out over the hills. Wandering the grounds you might stumble across a hidden hammock for two or a fragrant herb garden with butterflies fluttering. Inside, it’s something of a 60s-chic entertainer’s paradise – mid-century velvet sofas in lounges, dining tables lit by candelabra, egg chairs, and plum-purple chaise longues. The first floor is dedicated to a games room with a pool table and a gym. And in the basement you'll find a lovely spa, equipped with a Finnish sauna, Turkish bath and a hydromassage bathtub – just make sure to give your host enough notice so it can be prepared for you. The kitchen is pure Italian charm though, with its 18th-century hearth still on display, adorned with copper pots and pans. We particularly love the main bathroom’s vibrant, modern willow-pattern tiles and claw-footed tub. On top of all this, you’re only 20km away from Florence, so the Ufizzi, Ponte Vecchio and Duomo are a half-hour drive away.

Home truths:
*There's a covered carport with parking for more than six cars and, due to the sheer size of the grounds, it's a couple of minutes walk from the house
*A cot and high chair are available, just ask your hosts before arrival
*Advance booking is required to use the spa (at least 24 hours) – the opening of the spa, as also the filling and emptying of the tanks is exclusively taken care of by the villa staff, who will also take care of cleaning it afterwords