La Pieve Marsina

Follow a gravel road through vineyards and enter a hamlet of mellow stone houses linked by grass paths. The cypress trees rustle, the cicadas hum, a gentle breeze plays in the heat; arrive to perfect peace and a breathtaking panorama across vine-braided hills.

The apartments are in rustic buildings that were peasant dwellings centuries ago and have terraces offering fabulous views. B&B guests can use a sitting room with comfy sofas, books and games and rustle up light meals in the kitchen upstairs – a professional chef can come in to cook for you too. Breakfast is buffet-style and includes cake, jam, cold cuts, bread and cereal from small, local producers and there’s a beautiful ceramic fronted stove on which to cook eggs.

For restaurants there’s Lecchi in Chianti (9km), for food shops, Pianella (4km) and for sightseeing…where to start? Gaiole, Radda, Siena…this is the land of Chianti Classico and you’re in the very heart of it.