Tuscan American

Tuscan American: Tuscany

Sitting among the green hills of the Valdinievole, this quintessentially Tuscan villa puts guests in the middle of some truly gorgeous scenery, while offering plenty to do should they ever tire of the views – although we think that's unlikely to happen.

During the warmer months, it's not difficult to imagine countless hours spent in the home's outdoor space. The swimming pool is sure to be popular on summer afternoons, but you can just as easily enjoy the sunshine while playing table tennis on the terrace or enjoying hearty alfresco feasts on the pergola.

The home itself is fairly traditional in character, with wooden beams and exposed stonework lending a certain rustic charm. That being said, you can tell from the wealth of contemporary features that the host has put a lot of effort into the interior in recent years – the sleek kitchen and upper-floor Turkish bath are a bit of a giveaway, as are the bar games and decorative motorcycle that all add a bit of Americana to proceedings.

You can see a whole lot of Tuscany from the home's balconies and terrace, but if you ever want a bit more of a close-up, the thermal baths and opulent villas in the spa town of Montecatini Terme are 4km away, while the medieval city of Pistoia is around 15km away.

Home truths:
*The home is spread across three floors with no elevator, but there's a bedroom sleeping three on the ground level
*The swimming pool is only available for use between April and October
*There are three cats that roam freely outside the property
*Your host can provide two cots and high chairs for free upon request
*The home borders the host's home on one side, although there's a hedge that allows for privacy
*There's space to park up to five cars on the premises
*Two of the double beds can be split into twin singles if preferred