Villa Cuiano in Cortona ★★  

High on a hilltop near Cortona on the eastern edge of Tuscany, the Villa Cuiano is a welcoming 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 barbecue and oven, the garden is perfect for 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.