Stone & Meridian

Long lunches under the pergola, afternoon swims in the emerald pool, views stretching to both the Adriatic and the Abruzzo mountains – this villa in the Bellante countryside delivers the kind of Italian summer that's hard to leave. A restored 16th-century farmhouse, it carries its history well: vaulted ceilings, terracotta floors, and stone walls that keep the heat out even on the warmest days. Evenings can stretch on by the fire in the ground-floor lounge, or out under the stars in four hectares of private grounds with a tucked-away hot tub for good measure.

Home truths:
* The pool is open from the last Saturday in April to the first Saturday in October. If you're visiting outside those dates, it won't be available.
* Air conditioning is only available in the bedrooms, not in the living areas or kitchen.
* You're in the countryside near Bellante, a few kilometres from the Adriatic coast – you'll want a car to get around, reach the beach, and stock up on groceries.
* If you're travelling with little ones, your host can provide a cot and high chair. You'll need to request them in advance.
* For those with reduced mobility, there's a ground floor bedroom and bathroom here.