Fattoria Barbialla Nuova, Near San Miniato, Tuscany - Explore & Book
"If you've ever dreamt of ditching the city rat-race for a simple rural lifestyle, here's your chance. Set in 500 hectares of private estate, these 3 farmhouses, tastefully converted into 7 rustic-chic apartments for 2-6, 1 villa for 8-10 and 1 house for 2, are surrounded by nothing but woodland, hills, pastures and utter tranquillity. Forests full of wild boar, deer and locally-prized white truffles cover half of the estate, and there's a remote wildness quite unlike postcard-Tuscany, with its uniform lines of cypresses and vines. Guests are welcome to roam the land as they please, and you could explore for days. As well as walking and tracking wildlife, you can go truffle hunting in autumn, pick wild herbs in spring and gorge yourself on figs and cherries in summer - all of it organically grown. Wine-tasting and sightseeing opportunities abound: the towers of San Gimignano and the underrated town of Volterra are on your doorstep, Siena and Florence not much further. But it's the sense of remoteness, nature and space which mark this place out, and may have you pondering a permanent move to the countryside. Highs This is utter pastoral bliss, yet just 1 hour from Florence, Siena and Pisa The wonderful hosts, Guido and helpers, believe in Slow Food and offer seasonal fruit and herb culinary lessons, pasta-making demos and guided truffle hunts The apartments combine simple rustic stylishness and spaciousness - a cut above most Tuscan farmhouse conversions; and all are good for families Each building has its own pool: a large one for Doderi guests, another for Brentina, and a private plunge pool for Trosce villa There's a huge variety of plantlife on the estate: blackberries, figs, apples, plums, nuts, herbs, elderflower, pears, cherries, peaches... go forage Lows After entering the estate, you have to drive over bumpy tracks to reach your accommodation, but nothing an ordinary hire car can't handle Doderi and Brentina are split into 3-4 apartments, so sound can carry between them; but most guests are peaceful, and we weren't bothered by any noise You're on an organic farm so expect a few creepy crawlies Be aware that it's Saturday-Saturday rentals only in summer (and check in before 8pm) Le Trosce and Brentina Ovile don't have central heating, but do have gas furnaces that can be used for an extra charge" - Emma Taylor
