Madonnella Agricola

Your charming hosts — an artist and a keen cook — have created a sanctuary enveloped in tree-filled countryside. On one side, fields and olive groves, on the other, woods run down into the valley. There are plenty of secluded spots to soak it all up: the olive-covered terrace where you eat breakfast, the holm-shaded swimming pool, the wood-fired hot tub.

You stay in rustic, light-filled wooden cabins scattered around the gardens or in the larger cottage in the woods – perfect for families. Striving for simplicity, bedrooms have natural fibres and soft tones while the verdant views do all the talking. There are children’s toys and games and a library of art history books to browse in the guest sitting room.

Mariangela’s bountiful organic veg garden and orchard, topped up with local produce, makes breakfast a feast of yogurt, ricotta and pecorino, bread and jams, cakes and sweet or savoury tarts — all homemade — and occasional dinners.