Brother Sun

Sitting within a stone building dating back to the 17th century, this apartment in the hill town of Montalcino mixes Tuscan tradition with contemporary amenities to make for an address that you're unlikely to forget after a visit.

Along with the wooden ceiling beams and handsome brick flooring, you'll find comfy leather sofas, a glass dining table sat underneath an equally eye-catching chandelier and a kitchen with a wealth of surface space for whipping up something spectacular.

However, the standout feature sits just outside — step onto the home's roof terrace and guests are rewarded with the verdant Val d'Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Up here, there's a table for alfresco feasts and a pair of loungers for soaking up the sunshine.

The local town may be small, but there are plenty of restaurants, bars and shops selling locally grown produce to keep you occupied. A little further afield, the spas of Bagno Vignoni take twenty-five minutes to reach in the car and the 9th-century Abbey of Sant'Antimo is a fifteen-minute drive.



Home truths:
*The host provides a permit to park in a nearby car park for free
*There are three flights of stairs to climb before reaching this single-level apartment, so it might not be suitable for guests with reduced mobility
*The host has a storage room and wine cellar that guests can't access
*A cot and high chair can be provided if required
*There's no air conditioning but there's a floor-based system used for heating and cooling