Villa Borroni

This luxurious home in the hills between Florence and the sea is about as perfect as they come. Approached by a private drive lined with Mediterranean cypress trees, it’s a breathtaking sight set among prime Tuscan countryside. Built around 1900 and fully restored in recent years, it’s now a regal country home surrounded by glorious grounds of around three hectares, with wheat fields, olive groves, cypresses and flower borders.

The stunning views are best enjoyed from the many balconies and terraces, or from the beautiful infinity pool with its built-in hot tub, while other fabulous perks outside include the vegetable garden, chicken coop and children’s treehouse, along with outdoor table tennis, a five-a-side football pitch and private fishing lake. Inside, it’s a traditional and elegant home, with classical furnishings and tasteful decor.

We love the period features like the terracotta floors, beamed ceilings, archways and fireplace, while the pretty country kitchen is enough to make any keen cook smile. The bedrooms are all romantic and comfortable, dressed with antique furniture and each boasting its own bathroom.

Plus, there’s an extensive wine cellar and, if you’re a fitness fan, there’s even a fully equipped gym in the nearby building. If you don’t feel like cooking, there’s an on-site chef who can be hired to take care of it for you or you can arrange for some Tuscan cooking classes – paired with excellent local wine. Just a few minutes’ drive from the hamlet of Iano, the location is perfect for reaching the art cities of Florence, Pisa, Siena and Lucca or medieval towns like Volterra and San Gimignano, while keen hikers and mountain bikers will love the surrounding hills. And for a day at the beach, the coast and places like Livorno are less than an hour away by car.