Baroque & Barolo

An 18th-century hunting lodge set among four hectares of ancient woodland, this villa in Nizza Monferrato earns its place in Piedmont wine country. The heated pool looks out over rolling vineyards, and a linden-lined avenue leads through parkland where centuries-old chestnuts give way to a weeping willow at the water's edge. When the sun drops, gather under the trees for a long alfresco dinner, or retreat inside to the billiard room. The Langhe wine region and the hilltop villages of the Monferrato area are close enough for a day's exploration.

Home truths:
* The villa spans three floors connected by an internal staircase with no lift, so you'll be using the stairs a lot – something to bear in mind if anyone in your group has mobility considerations.
* Air conditioning is only available in the bedrooms here – the ground-floor living, dining, and kitchen spaces are not air-conditioned.
* If you're travelling with little ones, your host can provide a cot and a high chair. You'll need to request them in advance.
* The swimming pool is only available for use between the last Saturday in April and the first Saturday in October.
* All the fireplaces you'll see in the villa are ornamental and cannot be lit, so if you're visiting in cooler months, rely on the central heating instead.
* You'll need a car to explore this part of Piedmont – the villa sits in the countryside outside Nizza Monferrato, and the vineyards, villages, and the Langhe region are all best reached by driving. There's a large private car park on site.