Lady Madonna

Marble statues, cypress trees standing sentinel and a deep blue swimming pool overlooking the misty hills in the distance; this place is the Tuscan dream. Wandering through the 3,000 square metres of garden you’ll find a sunbathing area by the pool, complete with changing room and outdoor shower. The gazebo at the bottom of the garden can be set for a romantic dinner, or choose to dine rustic-style under the wood-beamed terrace by the barbecue. Inside, each piece of antique furniture and work of art seems to have a story to tell – the walnut chairs in the dining room came from a Florentine villa where the famous poet Gabriele D' Annunzio resided and the master bedroom features a 17th-century painting of the Madonna and Child from the Bologna School. Though this villa feels like an 18th-century retreat with its terracotta tiles, Persian rugs, wood-beamed ceilings and huge stone-hewn fireplace in the lounge, there are modern touches just where you need them – the Jacuzzi shower in the master bathroom alongside a Turkish bath, and gas range cooker next to stone sinks and an open hearth in the kitchen. Fully embrace the essence of old-world Tuscany with a day trip to Pisa (a 50-minute drive) or Florence (less than an hour by train). The town of Monsummano Terme is 2km away where you’ll find a handful of shops, restaurants and cafés.

Home truths:
* This villa can be booked alongside the neighbouring villa, 100m away, for a total capacity of 30 guests
* Events and parties such as weddings are welcome, and additional guests beyond 30 will incur a small fee per person
* The pool is open from April to mid-October
* There is a final cleaning fee and cost per kWh for air conditioning and heating