High on a hilltop near Cortona on the eastern edge of Tuscany, Villa Cuiano is a sprawling farmhouse with marvellous panoramic views of the Niccone Valley and the distant mountains of Umbria.

The house lies in extensive gardens and has a large, well-kept swimming pool. Furnished with tables and chairs, and equipped with a barbecue and oven, the garden is perfect for al fresco meals in the long summer months. Walkers and nature lovers can take advantage of the many tracks and paths that wind through the surrounding countryside, even strolling down to the Castello di Pierle, one of Tuscany's most striking castles.

If the tranquillity and beauty of the surrounding area isn't enough, Villa Cuiano is a perfect base camp from which to explore Tuscany and Umbria. Lake Trasimeno - Italy's 4th largest - is only 20 minutes away with excellent swimming and water sports. The railway station is a similar distance - once on a train you can be in Florence in an hour or in Rome in two.

The nearest village is Mercatale di Cortona, with facilities including shops, bars, medical facilities, a restaurant and bank. Cortona is 20 minutes away and in less than an hour you can be in Siena, Montepulciano, Orvieto or Perugia.