Umbria - A 15th century farmhouse with a swimming pool (available from June) on a hill just outside Perugia - in open countryside, but a stone's throw from the historic centre of the city. Cooking lessons. Villa Nuba, Perugia
Via di Mammoli is a comfortable holiday home with accommodation for 4 to 8+ in the countryside of northern Tuscany. Wonderfully peaceful and secluded, but only 8km from Lucca. Via di Mammoli, Lucca
Sleeps 4 to 8+
Spend a few nights staying in a splendid historical Italian house, located midway between Padua and Venice. Surrounded by fine gardens and parkland, this is the text-book definition of 'getting away from it all'. Rooms available for a minimum two-night stay, all year round. Villa Tron, Venice
Sleeps 2 to 5
Villa Gemignana, near Lucca, is an imposing sixteenth century villa with classic Italian garden, frescoes and swimming pool. Villa La Gemignana, Lucca
Sleeps 2 to 8
Swimming Pool
Turismo Marchese Mazzarosa offer a selection of restored country apartments centred around the old Villa Rosselmini, located on the hills between Pisa and Lucca. Swimming pool and estate grounds. Villa Rosselmini, Lucca
Tuscany villa - On the Mediterranean coast, visitors can rent the main wing (sleeps 6) or both wings (up to 11) of this substantial country house - Grande Prato. Grande Prato, Lucca
Sleeps 6 to 10+
Villa Salvini offers close proximity to the beaches of Versilia as well as the cool shade of the Apuan Alps. A family home with a large garden, close to the beautifully preserved mediaeval hamlet of Peralta. Villa Salvini, Lucca
Sleeps 5 to 9
Al Bastini is a beautifully restored 18th century farmhouse set in seven acres of terraced hillside close to the mediaeval walled city of Lucca. Heated swimming pool, air conditioning. Al Bastini, Lucca
Sleeps 8 to 10+
Swimming Pool
