TUSCANYWith its cultural heritage, ancient hilltop villages and towns, and a landscape of rolling green hills and vineyards, Tuscany offers the perfect escape away for a few weeks (or even months!). The many experiences for visitors staying in Tuscany range from enjoying the simple, yet delicious, cuisine, wine tasting at local vineyards, history and art, walking/hiking, cycling, thermal baths, and exploring the Tuscan coast. Our selection of luxury villas to rent in this beautiful region cover Chianti, with its rolling hills, vineyards, and historic hilltop towns and villages, the beautiful Val d’Orcia, south of Siena, with more charming hilltop towns, the hills surrounding Lucca, and the Tuscan coast.
Villa Fonterutoli 10 -14 Guests | 5 – 7 BedroomsSituated right in the heart of the famous Chianti wine region, this beautifully renovated 17th Century farmhouse is just 4 kms from the small village of Fonterutoli, and 6 kms from Castellina in Chianti. The interiors are furnished with a mix of Tuscan antiques and modern amenities, including air conditioning, and heating, flat screen satellite TV, Netflix, DVD, Wii, PS4, and a sound system. There is also a gym/fitness room and a swimming pool which can be heated on request.
You will be greeted on arrival with a welcome dinner, including organic gourmet food items and organic wine produced from the property’s estate. Maid service is included once a week, but additional days can be arranged, as well as private yoga or fitness instructor, in-house wine tasting, cooking courses. Vineyard tours and private art classes can also be arranged.
Villa Contignano18 Guests | 9 BedroomsA stunning villa, situated close to the village of Contignano in the beautiful Val d’Orcia, there are exceptional views over the surrounding countryside, as far as the famous hill towns of Pienza, Montalcino, Radicofani and San Quirico. Within a 10 – 30 minute drive, you will find wineries, restaurants and spas to explore while, as well as a pecorino cheese factory in Contignano itself. The property’s estate also produces extra virgin olive oil and seasonal produce from the vegetable garden and orchards, including various jams and honey, all of which are complimentary to guests.
Within the grounds is a heated jet stream infinity swimming pool, and a hot tub, in a perfect position to take full advantage of the views. With four living areas, two with fireplaces, and a large kitchen, there is plenty of space for both working and relaxing. All the bedrooms have air conditioning and there is underfloor heating, and further amenities include satellite TV, VCR, DVD, CD player, I-pod dock and free Wi-Fi internet access.
Villa Bagni12 – 14 Guests | 7 BedroomsPositioned on a hilltop within 50 acres of oak woodland, fields and olive groves, this villa offers privacy, comfort and wonderful countryside views. It is also just a five-minute drive from the charming medieval village of San Casciano dei Bagni with its restaurants, shops and a thermal spa. Guests here will be provided with special discount vouchers for the spa. There are also many beautiful places to visit in this part of Tuscany, including Cetona, Montepulciano and Montalcino, as well as Florence, Siena and Arezzo for longer day trips.
Decorated and furnished tastefully in muted colours, as well as offering many home comforts, the rooms open to furnished terraces and beautiful gardens, with a swimming pool (which can be heated on request). The property is ideal both for families or groups of friends, and has board games, football goals, and badminton.
Villa Capalbio12 Guests | 6 BedroomsAn exceptionally stylish villa in a quiet, rural location in the Maremma, yet just a ten-minute drive from the coast and beaches. The nearest beach has two beach clubs with sun loungers and umbrellas as well as restaurants for lunch or dinner. The coastal town of Porto Ercole, with its pretty historic centre and harbour is a 30 minute drive.
The very spacious ground floor rooms of the villa open to terraces furnished for dining and relaxing outdoors. Surrounded by large gardens, there is also a 20m lap pool with jet stream on a lower level. The villa has live-in staff for daily cleaning and maintaining the garden. The many amenities here include air conditioning and high speed Wi-Fi.
LAKE COMOJust an hour’s drive north of Milan airport, Lake Como is renowned for its beauty and stunning scenery, with its backdrop of mountains and forests. A stay here offers opportunities for many outdoor activities, including walks and hiking trails, boat excursions and kayaking. There are also beautiful villages to explore such as Bellagio, as well as historic villas and gardens, and plenty of restaurants and trattorias to try.
Villa Cima 8 Guests | 4 BedroomsOne of four private villas set within the beautiful park-like grounds of Villa d’Este, this is a wonderful Lake Como location. Guests here can enjoy the privacy of a villa combined with all the services of a five star hotel, including restaurants, bars, tennis, golf, a gym, beauty treatments and sauna. With local restaurants and shops in Cernobbio just a short walk away, it is also just a short drive to the city of Como, and 35 kms from the charming lakeside town of Bellagio.
Originally built in 1814, the villa retains its traditional features, including terrazzo floors, and antique furniture, while at the same time, offering all modern amenities. The residence also benefits from a furnished terrace for relaxing while enjoying views of the lake. Two of the bedrooms have space for working, and additional amenities include maid service and air conditioning.
Villa Dei Sogni 8 Guests | 5 BedroomsThe villa sits in a wonderful location, on a hillside overlooking the charming lakeside town of Bellagio, and across the lake to Tremezzo and the Grigne mountain range.The shops and restaurants in Bellagio are just a 5 minute drive away, where guests can also use an efficient local boat service for exploring other attractions on the lake. Cultural, gastronomic and walking tours can be arranged at this property.
A covered terrace on the first floor of the villa is perfect for dining and relaxing outside, while enjoying the views. The property also has a well stocked wine cellar, a sauna and a gym, as well as air conditioning, heating, satellite TV and Wi-Fi. The retreat is surrounded by a garden with a swimming pool (heated on request) and a furnished sun terrace which overlooks the picture-perfect lake views.
Villa Laglio11 Guests | 4 – 6 BedroomsVilla Laglio is located in the charming village of Laglio, on the western shores of Lake Como, on the famous old road which winds around the lake. In a wonderful position, just a minute’s walk from the lake, and 2 minutes’ walk from local restaurants and shops, it is the perfect location for exploring the lake, and its towns and villages by boat. Beautiful gardens surround the villa, including a large lawned area with a swimming pool.
Inside, the rooms of the villa have been tastefully restored throughout, retaining its original charm, and adding modern high quality finishes. The imposing grand entrance hall on the ground floor leads to the large and impressive living room with decorated ceilings and marble floors, the dining room and a modern kitchen. Several of the bedrooms also benefit from stunning lake views, and all have air conditioning. Extras here include a concierge service and a welcome basket on arrival with local products and Prosecco. A three-hour boat trip on the lake is also included.
LATEST GOVERNMENT ADVICEWhen you arrive in Italy from the UK, you must show evidence that you tested negative for COVID-19 within the 72 hours before your travel. Do not use the NHS testing service for a test to travel to Italy. You should arrange to take a private test.Alternatively, you can get a free test on arrival at some airports, or at a testing facility in Italy shortly after you arrive. If you test positive in Italy, you will be required to quarantine. Your quarantine may last from 10 days to 3 weeks, so you should be prepared in case you test positive.
In case you have stayed in or transited through a small number of listed countries in the 14 days before you enter Italy, you’ll also need to self-isolate. If you cannot do that for any reason, you may be refused entry to Italy.You should download and complete a self-declaration from the Ministry of Interior before you travel to Italy and inform local authorities of your presence. Follow the latest updates here.In the upcoming journal entry, we’ll highlight our top workcation retreats in Venice, Florence, Siena, Lucca, and Rome, and if you prefer an extended stay on The Amalfi Coast and Sicily, or in Puglia and Capri, be sure to read up our previous blog.