Villa finder

Our pick of places to stay as you travel around Tuscany

MAREMMA

To Tuscany (01227 646040; to-tuscany.com) has been in business since 1998 and has built up a portfolio of varied properties in classic and less well-known Tuscan regions, from standalone villas to apartments and shared-pool accommodation in villa hamlets and complexes. Among almost 60 properties in the Maremma is Il Riparo, from pounds 7,203 (Dh37,576) for seven nights; expensive, but it sleeps up to 22 and has a pool, air conditioning throughout and a restaurant-standard kitchen.

VAL D’ORCIA

Most villa companies offer properties in the Val d’Orcia, but the most famous place to stay in the region is La Foce (lafoce. com), the former home of the English-born writer Iris Origo, whose memoir War in Val d’Orcia is required reading before any visit. The main villa is for rent, along with other more intimate properties on the estate, such as Montauto (with pool and garden), which sleeps eight from pounds 615 a night, with a minimum three-night stay.

THE GARFAGNANA

Owners Direct (ownersdirect. co.uk) has more than 80 properties up and down the Garfagnana, including many close to Barga, such as property 12955 – Owners Direct does not name its properties – which sleeps 10 and sits in 40 acres of vineyards, olive groves and woodland; the pool has views across to the peaks of the Apuan Alps; from pounds 1,750 a week.

PRATOMAGNO

Invitation To (020 8444 9500; invitationto.com) began life in 1982 devoted to Tuscan villas – its selection is excellent across the region – but has since broadened its reach across Italy to southern France. On the fringes of the Pratomagno, it offers Pietrina which sleeps 10 from euros 2,500 a week, with pool, lovely garden and fine views, as well as easy access to road and rail links to Arezzo and Florence.

VINCIANDVALDIPESA

Tuscany Villas (0800 047 0256; tuscany-villas.co.uk) offers an excellent variety of 70 villas and apartments (the latter usually with shared pool) around Vinci and beyond, many – as is increasingly the case with the proliferation of Airbnb-type sites – priced by the night, including Il Leccio (sleeps 14), near Spicchio, from euros 250 a night, with private pool, large garden, tennis court and good views.