Montespertoli Holidays

Situated only 6km along the ancient Via Cassia from stunning Siena, this superb private villa has been recently converted from a small country school, which closed as a result of falling birth rates. From Casa dei Castelli's beautiful swimming pool, you gaze straight across to two imposing castles, the 12th-century Castello della Villa and the 13th-century Castello della Chiocciola, the 'castle of the snail', so named because of its distinctive spiral staircase.

So lavish has been the conversion of 'I Massini', from wine cellars and labourers' accommodation for a major wine estate, into 11 sumptuous one and two-bedroom villas and apartments, that it would be difficult to find such comfort and beautifully tended grounds in a five-star hotel!

This charming villa is perfectly named 'Il Nido' (The Nest), nestled in a lovely garden with ancient cypress and olive trees, amid the sweet sound of bird song. Only five minutes from the town of Montespertoli and 20 minutes from Florence, the villa is perfectly placed for those who want to explore the fascinating area of Tuscany.

A graceful old farmhouse which been expertly restored. Most of the glorious, ancient farmsteads that crown the Tuscan hills are so substantial that the only sensible use for them in the 21st century is the conversion into several apartments, but fortunately for those who prefer the seclusion of their own private villa, there are a few exceptions.