Casa del Pettirosso

A beautifully bucolic family villa in Tuscany, Casa del Pettirosso looks out over its open terrace, edged with cushions of herbs, to haunting views of the countryside and Castelluccio, a medieval castle within the estate. This and the Villa La Foce form the centrepiece for the annual festival of culture, ‘Incontri in Terra di Siena’, adding chamber music concerts and art exhibitions to July’s calendar of events; and there is a restaurant and tennis court on the estate, shared by guests in each of its very individual villas. This one is particularly welcoming, traditionally Tuscan, and, with a mix of twin, double and single rooms, ideal for a gathering of family or friends.At its heart is a walled central courtyard with a delightfully rustic dining area, complemented in the gardens by a barbecue terrace under ancient oaks. Within the house, a brick-floored country kitchen/diner has doors to the courtyard, and a cosy sitting room on the upper floor has comfy sofas round an open fire. The house is beautifully furnished with antiques and old-world charm. And the pool, set just below it in a grassy area, has views of pine forested hillsides and Monte Amiata.