Villa Saletta – Fagnana

Cut through woods on a narrow dirt road to reach this 19th-century farmhouse, perched on a hillside and surrounded by vineyards and forest. There are two other self-catering properties on this 700-acre wine estate but they’re set wide apart, so you’ll feel utterly secluded and private.

The estate’s owners stay here when they visit, and have furnished the house with their own antiques and original artworks, many depicting the local area. Find the basics for a first breakfast plus wine and olive oil from the estate as a welcome; you can rustle up feasts in the modern kitchen, fire up the barbecue and dine al fresco or try out nearby restaurants.

Manager Silvia bubbles over with ideas about how to enjoy the Valdera’s gastronomic highlights: on foot through Saletta’s woods, guided by a local truffle hunter, or on a scenic drive to visit a one-of-its kind cheese “grotto” in the neighbouring medieval village of Lari. You could spend all your time exploring the Valdera’s slow-paced delights, but Volterra and Pisa are a 45-minute drive and Florence and Siena are 1.5 hours.