Arches & Enclaves

On a hill in the beautiful Val d’Orcia, this traditional stone villa looks out over the undulating countryside. It’s a forty-minute drive to the medieval walled city of Siena, should you fancy a day trip, but the surrounding area has plenty to keep you busy with walking trails and wineries galore. Outside, an immaculate lawn is fringed with herbs and wildflowers, and secluded by ancient trees. Slip into the rectangular swimming pool and float beneath the blue skies in summer, or bag a lounger and while the day away with a book in hand. A handful of terraces and balconies are home to outdoor dining areas and seating nooks with fabulous country views. Inside, the lounge is a vision of old-world charm with brick archways leading from one seating area to another. Pull up an armchair at the arched picture window, which frames the forest-clad hills outside like a work of art. Or, opt for a seat by the old hearth which still has its cooking pot on display. The kitchen itself is a minimalist haven of terracotta floor, wood-beamed ceiling and exposed stone where pristine white cabinets hide every appliance a piece of crockery you could need for self-catering. Home truths: *Each bedroom has divisible and joinable beds so can be set up as doubles or twins *The swimming pool is available between April and October *Your host can provide a cot for infants, just ask *A large parking area at the front of the villa provides the private parking *As is common in Italy, electricity and heating is not included and is charged based on consumption at the end of your stay