Beaming Terracotta

Sitting down to dinner in a historic Tuscan villa with hillside views stretching beyond the window – this Florence apartment delivers a rustic experience just a short drive from the city centre. Part of a larger villa and estate, you'll get a taste of Italian style in the terracotta floors and arched windows, and a neat kitchenette means home-cooked meals are possible too. There are good bus routes into the city from here, taking you to the Boboli Gardens and Ponte Vecchio in no time, but this home is equally ideal as a base for a wine-filled Chianti road trip.

Home truths:
* This home is on the first floor of a historic building with no lift, and there are also internal stairs, so it may not be suitable for guests with limited mobility.
* At full occupancy, two guests will sleep on the sofa bed in the living area.
* The twin beds in the bedroom can be made up as a king-size instead – let your host know in advance if you'd prefer that configuration.
* If you're travelling with a baby, your host can provide a cot for free on request.
* The washing machine is shared with other apartments in the building rather than being private to this home – worth factoring in if you're planning to do laundry during your stay.
* Your host asks you to respect quiet hours between 11pm and 7am.