Vercenni

At the end of a cypress-lined drive, in the hide-away setting of a wooded private estate, this is a large former farmhouse, in a landscape little changed throughout its centuries. Tastefully and artistically restored, Vercenni is now a well-balanced blend of stylish comfort and Tuscan tradition. Bedrooms are furnished with restful, rural simplicity. The heavily beamed sitting room has a huge inglenook complete with wood-burning stove, along with ample chairs and sofas, Wifi and satellite TV, and a wall-wide mural of the estate, juxtaposed with poster-style art. Occupying much of the lower floor, the cool kitchen/breakfast room is bathed in light from doors and windows and, with its stepped stone floor, has the feel of an outdoor terrace. It opens out to just that, and to panoramic views of hills and valleys from various vantage points in the grounds, where a soft-contoured pool is sunk into lawned surrounds, and a poolside pergola is ideal for leisurely lunches. Cook service is an optional extra indulgence, and there are eateries and small shops in Radda, 3km from the villa, and Siena’s superb attractions just 33km away.