Passo Sole

With a row of sentinel cypress trees to the front of the villa and the terraced slopes of an olive grove behind, this inviting house sits at the heart of a small vineyard in Chianti country. Outside, geraniums and rosemary fill terracotta pots, and a series of shallow steps leads down a lawned slope to the swimming pool, where there are ample loungers for undisturbed sun-soaking. Within the villa, airy rooms have been furnished with carefully chosen fittings and fabrics, ornate chandeliers sharing the limelight with modern artworks, while the gorgeous farmhouse kitchen boasts marble surfaces and very contemporary appliances.On the ground floor a spacious sitting room is complemented by a stylish dining room, both with access to the garden. There are indoor and external staircases to the first floor, where pretty bedrooms with colour-washed walls are served by quality bathrooms, and an open fireplace forms the focal point of the villa’s study. Cook service can be arranged here, to add a level of leisure, and a 1km stroll leads to shops and restaurants in Radda in Chianti. Further afield, Passo Sole is just 35km from Siena.