Apartment

Pinolo is an agriturismo apartment for 4 with a pool near the village of Casole d'Elsa in Tuscany. Set on a ridge in the Tuscan hills near Siena, it is the perfect place for a relaxing family holiday. There is a Pizzeria/Bar within 5 minutes walk while a few more minutes will take you up into the old village itself, with a number of restaurants and bars, good grocery stores and even a small museum and a couple of tiny art galleries for resident artists. Walk up for breakfast, then buy some fresh produce and wander home for a fresh lunch and spend the afternoon by the pool; it's a real Tuscan delight. With a swimming pool set near the farm's vineyard, a large patio overlooking it and great views, this is a very popular place for families and couples.

This apartment is set on the first floor of the old farmhouse, enjoying beautiful views out towards Chianti and the Tuscan countryside. Reached by external stairs, with a small (large enough for two to enjoy an evening drink, but no more) furnished loggia at the entrance, Pinolo has a large living room/kitchen with comfortable sofas. The kitchen area is at the back and is simple but has no oven - though it does have a dishwasher. On the right of this large living room is a double bedroom, a further bedroom with a queen sized double and an extra single. The bathroom has a shower but no bath. Downstairs there are furnished outdoor spaces for guests to enjoy, with chairs and sun-shades. A shared laundry room has a washing machine, which guests may use for a small fee.

At the front of the farm, a path leads down to a duck pond and to the large swimming pool (don't get these two mixed up!), all within a gentle, evocative framework of vineyards and olive trees. With a wide, travertine-tiled surround, and plenty of sun loungers, the swimming pool is a soft ochre colour, blending comfortably with the olive groves and vineyards. Set in a delightful position down the hillside from the farm, it has extensive and beautiful views across to the Chianti hills.

Further afield, beyond Casole d'Elsa, San Gimignano with its medieval towers is less than half an hour away, as is Monteriggioni while Siena is under an hour. Florence is around an hour away and can also be reached by train or bus from Siena or Poggibonsi. Tiny local villages abound, many of them with festivals and events during August and September, so exploring is well rewarded.