Country villas and houses

With the calm and beauty of the Tuscan countryside, Casale Mugnani, surrounded by olive groves, is just 15 minutes from all the charms of medieval Lucca. Lovely vacation apartments, landscaped grounds and a saltwater swimming pool. Antico Casale Mugnani, Lucca

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

Tuscany - On the quiet slopes facing Montepulciano, these two farmhouses provide beautifully furnished, traditional holiday accommodation in central Italy. Le Capanne di Sopra, Siena

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. Are also available three apartments. Villa Tron, Venice

This Chianti vacation accommodation comprises apartments and a house to rent, Tuscany, Italy. Casa Rossa, Florence

Palazzo Roccalvecce offers you the chance to rent your Italian vacation accommodation in a historic 17th century palace in northern Lazio, 100 kilometres north of Rome and close to the border with Umbria. The palazzo dominates an ancient hilltop hamlet, and offers you unique lodging in an important and noted fortress long ago transformed into a castle. Palazzo Rocalvecce, Viterbo

A newly restored Tuscany villa with swimming pool, the Villa Montaione has been recently and immaculately restored. Lying just 16km from the historic city of San Gimignano, this spacious, stone-built house sleeps 8 with 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. Villa Montaione, Florence

Giardino dei Bonsai is a charming, modern house offering spacious holiday accommodation for five. Just outside Cortona, it has marvellous views of the Valdichiana and Lake Trasimeno. Giardino dei Bonsai, Arezzo