Villa Prato

Dating back to the Renaissance, Villa Prato has had a rebirth as a destination holiday home, overlooking the Chianti countryside, in the heart of Tuscany, Italy. This ancient stone house can trace its history back to the 1600s, retaining many of its original features, including timbered ceilings, tiled floors, and traditional terracotta roof. The detached villa has four staggered levels, and is home to six spacious bedrooms, which can comfortably accommodate up to thirteen guests, perfect for a large family holiday or a group of friends’ sharing. Villa Prato is set on an organic farms, within eight thousand metres of fenced in grounds and gardens, and your own private swimming pool. The interiors are decidedly rustic, oozing with country house charm, furnished with original pieces, and decorated in classic soft pastel colour washed walls.

Enter the villa at ground floor level, where there is a sloped ceiling seating area furnished with comfy sofas and armchairs. A cottage style kitchen is fully equipped with all the appliances you will need to cater for your holiday, including that must-have coffee maker, a small dining set, and an open hearth fireplace with a wooden settle. Enjoy convivial suppers at the fabulously informal fourteen seater wood table in the separate dining room. A guest shower room, with a washing machine completes this floor. Take the steps to the intermediate floor, where you will find the first of the beautifully appointed bedrooms. One has a double bed with an ensuite loo and handbasin, and the second has three single beds, with an ensuite shower room. Take another set of stairs to the first floor, where there is a second sitting room, a double bedroom with an ensuite shower room, two bedrooms with double beds, one bedroom with single beds, and a shared bathroom with a shower. Go downstairs down to the arched stone wall basement and enjoy a game of ping pong or billiards, beware the low ceilings!

Step outside to admire the view over the vineyards of Tuscany. Make your way to the fenced-in area for a proper swim in the twenty metre length pool. Relax in the surrounding sun loungers and deckchairs, cool off under the outdoor shower. As sun sets meet for aperitivo at the seating under the brick-built gazebo, before feasting alfresco at the outdoor dining table, with dishes fresh from the barbeque and wood burning oven. As the stars come out to shine, raise a glass of Chianti to the most memorable holiday, in the most idyllic setting.