Days of Wine & Roses

Days of Wine & Roses: Lazio

Nestled in the rich, green mountains of Italy's Aniene Valley, this rustic home is straight out of a storybook. By that, we mean it's absolutely idyllic, with a verdant garden where you'll no doubt spend most of your time. Blooming with roses, rare plants and fig trees, it's a secluded spot to hide away with a book and a glass of wine. And, at the heart of it all is a gorgeous swimming pool where you can splash away cloudless afternoons and sprawl out on the lounge chairs for a snooze in the sun. Come evening, rustle up an Italian feast to enjoy alfresco on the wisteria-covered balcony whilst admiring the valley views – there's also a barbecue if you prefer to flex your culinary muscles on the grill.

Inside, old-world elegance abounds, from the ornate tiled floors and traditional fireplaces to the antique furniture in every room. What's more, you'll have two of everything, as it's two apartments in one – that means double the kitchens, living spaces and Italian charm.

When you're ready to explore, the small village of Cineto Romano is just on your doorstep. Head into town to pick up fresh bread from the bakery (a five-minute walk away), enjoy dinners at the local restaurant (two minutes away on foot) or hike the waterfalls at Cascate di Rioscuro (a seven-minute drive away). For a day trip, make the twenty-five-minute drive to Tivoli or hop on the train to Rome.

Home truths:
*The house is divided into two separate apartments – each one contains a living area, kitchen, two bedrooms and two bathrooms
*We highly suggest having a car here – there's parking on-site
*If needed, the dining tables can double as laptop-friendly workspaces
*The swimming pool isn't fenced, so children will need to be supervised at all times