Head into the Tuscan hills just outside the charming village of Cellai and keep an eye out for an imposing villa with its own bell tower. Almost unbelievably, this stunning property will be your home from home for however long you decide to stay.

Step inside your apartment, and you'll discover a typically Tuscan scene, with tiled terracotta floors, exposed wooden ceilings and frescoes painted directly on the walls. Four individually decorated bedrooms, each as enchanting as the last, will serve as your soothing sanctuaries for you to unwind at the end of each day. The spacious interior includes not one but two seating areas, so you can always claim a secluded spot as your own for the afternoon if you want to get lost in the pages of a good book. Meanwhile, the kitchen and dining area are perfect for sociable meals with family and friends in true Italian style.

Outside in the shared garden, you'll find yourself surrounded by pristine landscaped gardens with a vine-covered pergola, terraced seating and perhaps most importantly, a pool.

Start each day by visiting Forno La Chiocciola, where you can stock up on fresh bread, including Florentine speciality flatbread, schiaccata. Then, when you're not laying out on poolside loungers and sipping wine in the sun, the stunning Renaissance city of Florence is less than half an hour away. Why not get to know the artistic, architectural and cultural history of Tuscany, spending an afternoon or three wandering its streets and taking it all in.


Home truths:
*We'd recommend a car to explore the area – there's ample on-site parking
*For those who can't drive, or fancy doing some solo exploration, there's a bus stop ten minutes' walk away that will take you into Florence
*The gardens and pool are shared with another apartment on the site
*Access the home via a private entrance
*The dining table doubles as a laptop-friendly workspace
*For larger groups, there is an additional eight-person apartment that can be rented alongside this one