Villa Solata, Solata - Bucine - Arezzo and Cortona

You’ll need to negotiate a few hairpin bends to get to Villa Solata – but, boy, is it worth it. Your reward, at the end of the track, is a handsome manor house, with ochre-painted walls, green shutters and knock-out views of the surrounding Tuscan countryside. It’s ideally suited to small family groups of four to six guests, and is perfectly placed for exploring the region. Roughly midway between Arezzo and Siena, the joys of Florence and San Gimignano are also within easy day-tripping distance.

And if you prefer to stay put, you’ll have plenty of space to relax in – this villa sits in acres of private grounds, including an orchard and olive grove. Hidden away at the back is your large private pool, where you have the option of chilling out on loungers under the Tuscan sun or retreating to the thoughtfully shaded area to one side. Inside, the three bedrooms and two bathrooms are ample for a party of this size and there’s a homely feel throughout, with comfortable, traditional furnishings, lots of original features – such as the ornate marble staircase – and a choice of lounge areas.

Ground Floor

Lounge-Diner
Two sofas, armchair, two cupboards, three sideboards, table and chairs, fireplace, doors to garden.

Kitchen
Fully equipped, bar, two stools.

Bathroom 1
Bath, handheld shower, sink, WC, chair.

First Floor

Landing
Bench, chair, doors to Juliet balcony.

Bedroom 1
Double bed (cannot convert to twins), wardrobe, chest of drawers, chair, doors to Juliet balcony.

Bedroom 2
Double bed (cannot convert into twins), wardrobe, chest of drawers, chair.

Bedroom 3
Twin beds (cannot convert into a double), cot, wardrobe, chest of drawers, chair.

Lounge
Sofa, cabinet, fireplace.

Bathroom 2
Shower, sink, WC.

Our thoughts
Villa Solata’s off-the-beaten-track location makes it ideal for anyone in search of peace and seclusion, yet it’s still only a few kilometres from the nearest towns, with their local shops and weekly markets. Stock up on fine Tuscan produce, pick some fruit from the villa’s own orchard, and enjoy an al-fresco feast on one of the terraces, followed, perhaps, by a family bat-off at the outdoor ping-pong table. Simple pleasures in stunning surroundings – holiday bliss.

Notes
Three bedrooms. Two bathrooms. All bedrooms have views across the grounds, over the countryside – or both.
Fire Place: open

Pool
Roman steps lead into the salt-water pool, set to the rear of the villa and down a few steps and is completely fenced. The pool is surrounded by a paved terrace on three sides, furnished with sun beds and parasols, which leads to lawn. Next to the pool, a brick-built loggia provides shade. Pool size: 10m x 7m, 2.3m deep, open mid-May to mid-September, weather permitting.