Description The Physicist's Retreat: Rignano sull'Arno

Dining alfresco under the shade of an ancient oak tree, admiring the Tuscan hills around you, and cooking like nonna on the range in the kitchen; this is la dolce vita. Once the summer residence of the Italian physicist Enrico Fermi, this beautiful Tuscan villa retains its country manor grandeur. Wooden ceilings, tiled floors, ornately carved dressers and huge stone fireplaces combine to create that opulent feel. The kitchen is the heart of the home, with its solid wood breakfast table and gas, range-style cooker set into the old hearth. Each bedroom has its own character and style, all with windows looking out over the Chianti hills. Head outside and enjoy the view from the terrace, where stone tables and wooden deck chairs are shaded by centuries-old trees. There’s plenty to explore in the area with Florence a twenty-minute drive away, and right next door the owners offer tours and tastings at their working farm where they produce olive oil and wine.

Home truths:
*Only the bedrooms on the first floor have air conditioning
*There is a private parking area and having a car is recommended as the nearest shop is a short drive away