Enjoy autumn or winter in beautiful Tuscany with these Essential Italy properties

With its dramatic scenery and famous rolling countryside carpeted with vineyards, Tuscany has an enduring appeal and pleasant climate which makes it a popular year-round destination for those seeking an authentic Italian escape. Whether you’re seeking pretty Tuscan villas or majestic farmhouses, Essential Italy has a selection of luxury properties to suit everyone. Below are just some of the hand-picked places that Essential Italy have to offer:

Casa Nova

Sleeping up to 8 guests, Casa Nova is a majestic example of a classic Tuscan villa, and sits on the hillside overlooking the historic town of Vinci. The grounds also boast an extra one bedroom apartment to accommodate larger groups, complete with en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning.

You’ll enter the grounds to magnificent and beautiful gardens, before entering the grand building and stepping into a spacious and comfortable lounge, as well as a grand and elegant dining room. Life at Casa Nova is likely to revolve around the vast kitchen, which is equipped with everything you need to prepare tasty and authentic Italian food, as well as a dining table for everyday occasions. Upstairs you’ll find four elegant bedrooms, two en-suite, all lovingly decorated, looking out onto the surrounding gardens.

Outdoors, you’ll be able to enjoy an infinity pool, plenty of comfortable seating, and a pergola covered in jasmin for al-fresco dining. If you wish to head further afield, Vinci is just a 10 minute walk away, with plenty of great shops and restaurants to offer, with the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci even closer.

Villa La Senaia

A spacious 4 bedroom villa which can sleep up to 8 people, Villa La Senaia is perfectly positioned halfway between the wonderful Tuscany towns of Arezzo and Cortona, with everything you’ll need to enjoy this fascinating part of Tuscany in true luxury.

Inside this vast property, you’ll be able to enjoy a spacious living room if you wish to escape the sunshine, a kitchen complete with oven, five gas hobs, dishwasher and fridge freezer, two fantastic double bedrooms and two lovely twin rooms, as well as three bathrooms – one equipped with a bathtub.

Most of your time here will be spent outdoors on the patio, which is fully equipped with dining tables and chairs, offering great views out onto the pool area and the surrounding stunning countryside. The pool area is also a great place to enjoy the famous Tuscan sun, either by taking a dip in the water or relaxing on the ample sun loungers.

If you wish to explore the surrounding area, the enchanting village of Castiglion Fiorentino, packed with local shops and family restaurants, is just 3km away, while many of Tuscany’s jewels, including Cortona, Arezzo, Siena and Florence are all within an hour’s drive.

Casa Il Melograno

Situated just 5km from the medieval hilltop town of San Gimignano, famous for its unique towers, Casa Il Melograno is a luxurious yet homely former farmhouse based in a gorgeous countryside location.

With brightly coloured furnishings, terracotta floors and exposed stone walls, you’ll experience the Tuscan character of this property throughout, from the spacious and welcoming lounge to the dining area and well-equipped kitchen. Sleeping up to 7 guests are the three bedrooms – one double on the ground floor, and one twin and one double with sofa bed on the first floor, and the property also features a shower room and bathroom with separate bath and shower.

Outside the property, the covered terrace is the perfect place to enjoy a group evening meal, or to relax in the shade away from the scorching Tuscan sun, overlooking the beautiful gardens decorated with pristinely kept lawns and pine trees. Guests can also take a dip in the swimming pool, or take in the warm Tuscan air on the sunbeds that surround it.

While beautiful San Gimignano is on your doorstep, you’ll also be not far from many other great days out in the Tuscany region, including Siena, Florence, Volterra and Certaldo, each bursting with history, unique shops and family-run restaurants. The property’s charming owners live in a separate part of the building, and will be on hand to offer you advice on how best to enjoy your holiday in the area.