Flowering Raspberry

Dating back to the 1920s, this home has everything you could want from a Tuscan villa. Before you even get through the front door, guests are greeted by two acres of gardens filled with Mediterranean foliage, views of rolling hillsides and a terrace complete with a swimming pool and Jacuzzi. Add to that children's play equipment, a solarium with plenty of seating for soaking up the sunshine and a stone barbecue, and you could be forgiven for forgetting that there's an interior to this home, too.

Once you do get around to looking inside, you'll find that it's a thing of quiet beauty, with wooden ceiling beams, exposed brickwork and arched doorways giving a sense of heritage. However, there have been a few notable additions in the century since its construction, from the sauna in one of the bathrooms and the gym to the modern white kitchen.

Although the address feels both secluded and private, city life is closer than you might think. The towers and piazzas of Lucca take twenty-five minutes to reach in the car, while another quarter of an hour beyond that will take you to Pisa. Closer to home, there's a bar just three minutes' walk up your road

Home truths:
*Twelve guests can be accommodated in the main house, but there's also an additional annexe that sleeps two and has a living room, kitchen and ensuite bathroom — this is where the gym is located, too
*There's room to park up to six cars and an electric vehicle charging point
*The home is split over three floors so it might not be suitable for guests with reduced mobility
*Pets are welcome but they will incur an additional fee of €50 per animal per week
*The price doesn't include electricity, which typically amounts to €250 per week in high season and €160 per week in other seasons
*The same goes for heating, which comes to €300 a week
*A cot and high chair can be provided
*Extra cleaning can be arranged for €20 per hour per cleaner