When staying in Tuscany, who doesn’t want a 16th-century villa, with life-size frescoes and acres of grounds to explore? This place sits between the medieval borgo of Monte San Savino (a ten-minute drive) and the alluring city of Arezzo (a fifteen-minute drive).

This villa’s swimming pool really grabbed us – a long, turquoise triangle, covered at one end to keep you shaded during the heat of the day. Loungers sit beneath parasols and the huge, outdoor dining table is shaded by an L-shaped pergola, dappled with jasmine. There are sprawling lawns for the kids to run free, and a tennis court and ping pong table too.

Inside, each apartment has its own living area, from the grand lounge set around an ancient stone fireplace to the book-lined family snug and TV room. The kitchen is sleek and modern in slate grey and white but sits beneath the old wooden ceiling of this 16th-century villa for a touch of the past.

Home truths:
*We recommend having a car as there is no supermarket within walking distance
*Each floor consists of an apartment with its own entrance
*There is air conditioning but it is only in the bedrooms
*Parking is available for up to five cars at the uncovered parking area
*Your host can provide a high chair and cot for infants, just ask