Casa Palaia

Almost all Tuscan country houses are designed for indoor and outdoor living, and this unpretentious family villa is no exception, though it would probably be fair to say that, for most guests, its al fresco facilities are the biggest draw. The stone house stands amid large lawned gardens, edged with hedges and liberally sprinkled with trees. A dining terrace in front of the villa is complemented by a lovely lunch spot under dappled tree shade, served by a stone-built pizza oven and barbecue, nestling in a sheltered area, naturally screened in greenery, the fourteen metre swimming pool is the centrepiece of a sunny paved terrace.Within the villa, on the ground floor, a comfortable living room incorporates a sitting area, billiard table and open archway to the dining room, with several double doors out to the garden; while two double and two twin bedrooms occupy the floor above. With optional cook service and idyllic views to add to its leisurely feel, Casa Palaia is an 800 metre stroll from a bar and shops in the medieval village of Palaia, 32km from San Gimignano, and within 65km of Lucca, Florence, Siena and the coast.