The one thing that's better than your own private villa in the centre of Tuscany? Your own private villa, but with a hotel on-site boasting its own restaurant, spa and swimming pool.

This elegant resort in the heart of Tuscany is a dream. Aside from being surrounded by stunning Chianti countryside - undulating hills, valleys and fields of sunflowers, the resort itself boasts olive trees, meadows and gardens to wander through.

Villa Pavelli is part of the Villa La Borghetta estate, an ancient building that began life in the 1300's as a watchtower -  a wonderful place to walk around when you fancy a little explore. With a swimming pool, fantastic restaurant and wellness spa boasting a plethora of treatments, it's a real treat to have it within walking distance of your holiday home. 

But, if you just want to hang out in your own space, be our guest. Villa Pavelli is a pretty pale yellow villa with its own private pool. Enter the property via a covered loggia and you'll get a sense of what the property's all about...

Terracotta-tiled floors, wooden-beam ceilings and classic Tuscan interiors.

There are two lounge areas to relax in, and doors opening outside, letting that Italian sun stream in - and a great separate dining area for those nights when you fancy a meal in. Though, if you do want to pop out, the restaurant on-site comes highly recommended.

If you are cooking up your own Italian feast, you'll find the kitchen a bright and spacious place to do it. Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto a lovely terrace, you'll never feel far from that gorgeous countryside outside.

Four elegant bedrooms are individually styled, but all typically Tuscan with plenty of wood and pretty finishes. And, with four bathrooms, there should be no long waiting times in the morning when all you want to do is run out and enjoy the lovely garden that wraps itself around the villa. Dotted with Mediterranean flowers and mature shrubs and trees, it's a space you're likely to spend a lot of time. And when the heat gets too much, jump in your own private swimming pool of course. Perfetto!

There are many over-used descriptions associated with Tuscany; rolling green hills, lyrical landscapes, enchanting hilltop towns, iconic cities and incredible food. The thing is, they're all absolutely correct.

Tuscany, in central Italy, is a region of jaw-dropping beauty - to the point of having to pinch yourself to believe it's actually real. Driving, walking or cycling around its lush countryside of sunflower fields, cypress tree-lined winding pathways and undulating hills is an experience in itself. And that's before you've set foot in any one of its eye-popping medieval hilltop towns or cities. Take Florence - the city of art - with its impressive dome, towers and beautiful architecture. Home to museums of extraordinary renaissance art - check out the Uffizi - and from Villa La Borghetta you'll be there in no time.

For other day trips out, discover the amazing cities of Arezzo, Pisa with its leaning tower, the medieval maze of walls surrounding Siena and the beautiful city of towers, San Gimignano. Or, wander around the pretty hilltop towns of Cortona and Montepulciano, eating at delightful trattorias, spending long afternoons lazing in their piazzas, soaking up the valley views that stretch out beneath you.

Why not visit the renowned Chianti district for a spot of wine tasting, or visit Siena for the famous Palio horse race. Tuscany has to be seen to be believed, and fortunately, from your holiday home at Villa La Borghetta, you have the options of seeing all of these. The hard bit is going to be deciding what to see... Good luck!

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