Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

This country villa rental in Tuscany actually comprises a main house with 8 bedrooms, plus a separate cottage with kitchen, living spaces and 3 more bedrooms, so it's ideal if one family or group within your party wants a bit more privacy. Altogether, Villa del Fattore sleeps up to 20 people, so put it on your list for a family reunion or special celebration, such as an important birthday party, wedding anniversary or even an intimate wedding.

Just four miles outside the historic walled-city of Lucca, about an hour from Florence, the villa is on an estate surrounded by woodlands, orchards and olive groves. My favorite feature? The pool on the expansive front lawn … it's long enough for doing laps, has a patio lined with chic red chaises, and is illuminated after dark. Also great is the outdoor Jacuzzi, a fine spot for sipping Prosecco while taking in the panorama. If you're a fan of dining outside, you can't beat the piazza and gardens for leisurely meals. Cook a feast in the large kitchen, or ask Chef Bruno to prepare his favorite Tuscan dishes, guaranteed to leave guests raving. Inside, you can serve meals in the formal dining room, or have a casual bite in the sunny conservatory.

I like the elegant mix of old and new at Villa del Fattore; it's been updated with modern features, so, in addition to classic details like terracotta tiled floors, exposed beam ceilings, fireplaces, and frescoed walls, you'll find a lounge with satellite TV, house-wide Wi-Fi, and guestrooms with ensuite bathrooms, hairdryers, air-conditioning, and telephones. The villa comes staffed with two housekeepers for daily maid service, a gardener, and a pool attendant, plus an on-call manager can arrange massage therapists, babysitters, golf and tennis outings and other local diversions. You might not want to ever leave the estate, but it's an excellent base for exploring the region. NB: Don't miss the weekly BBQ hosted at the nearby rose gardens, where you can mingle with guests of villas elsewhere on the massive, aristocratic estate, such as Borgo Bernardini.

Villa del Fattore
Lucca, Tuscany
Italy