Cancello Rosso, Maremma, Italy

This converted farmhouse is situated just outside the hill village of Giuncarico, one hour south of Pisa and 20 - 30 minutes from fantastic beaches and marina of Punta Ala and of Castiglione.

Commanding panoramic views over the Maremma plains and Tuscan hills, it is the perfect base to explore both Tuscany and the coast. Alternatively with its stunningly situated pool in the olive groves below the house it is the place to chill, eat pasta, drink wine and enjoy the sunshine.

The house will sleep ten in four bedrooms, has three bathrooms, a well designed kitchen, dining hall, sitting room, and two south facing terraces. It has been decorated in simple Italian style with terracotta roofing and tiles keeping the house cool throughout the day.

The top floor has two bedrooms which have three beds each - there is a shared bathroom between these two bedrooms. The ground floor has the living space, dining area and sitting room, along with stunning south facing terrace.

The lower ground floor has one double room with bathroom with shower over bath; and a double room with bathroom en suite with shower over. A shady lower terrace is accessed from these two bedrooms. There is an additional small bedroom that can only be accessed from the outside and that we sometimes use for au-pairs - it is perfectly comfortable, but not luxury!

Apparently there are 68 steps down through the olive grove to the pools. The garden is not manicured but full of plumbago, oleander, rosemary, shrubs, fig trees and sometimes wild boar and definitely tortoises.