Agriturismo Colognole is located close to the town of Rufina and is a working wine estate which has been owned by the Conti Spalletti family for over a century.

Just 30km from Florence and in the heart of the Chianti Rufina DOCG territory, it offers wonderfully authentic accommodation for anyone wanting a true Chianti wine experience.

In fact, the initial restructuring of the out-houses and farm residences on the estate took place a decade before the agriturismo movement took off in Tuscany and in some way acted as a template for so many wine estates which followed.

All the buildings boast panoramic views of the Valdisieve and guests can stay in either Bed and Breakfast, Apartments or Villa formula.

The Bed and Breakfast accommodation is situated in the old wine vat cellar, or Maggetto, where all of the Fattoria Spalletti sharecroppers would bring their grapes from 1950-1970, as well as the farmers of the nearby Spalletti 'Casa Colonica'.

It has been restructured into 4 rooms each with 2 beds and private bathrooms with showers.

The restaurant is just a few metres away, as it is the swimming pool.

The accommodation of Borgo Giusto near Lucca is known as an 'albergo diffuso' or Lifestyle Hotel.

In short, this residential complex offfering both villa and hotel accommodation in the old medieval village of Soccolognora now converted exclusively for tourism.

Today, guests can  choose from a selection of 28 residences of different sizes from the noble Villa Giosy, which can sleep 12 people, to the small Casa di Pilade for two.

And not forgetting the House of Adriano and Gianni with its splendid panoramic view of the swimming pool.

Each single accommodation has retained its original typology with the addition of modern conveniences to make your holiday as comfortable as possible.

Foresteria Il Giardino di Fontarronco is elegant Tuscan agriturismo accommodation in the Chiana valley for a family holiday, apartment vacation, good food and wine tasting getaway in Tuscany.

The ten country apartments are based near Arezzo and provide an atmospheric vacation base in east Tuscany for discovering the zone.

It is owned by the Illuminati's, a family from the Val di Chiana. The 18th century villa has been meticulously restored with style and elegance and antique furniture.

The origins of the farm are lost in time but the country house seems to date from the 13th century.

Interestingly, the restoration of the old cellars brought to light artefacts which proved the existence of a landing port. This is explained by the fact that much of the Val di Chiana was marshland until it was reclaimed in the 18th Century.

Hotel de La Pace is elegant and tranquil three accommodation in a 19th century palazzo near to the university of Florence and in a zone of the city perfect for excursions on foot or by bicycle.

It is run by the Viviani family who also own the wonderful Omero Trattoria situated in the Florentine hills

ROOMS AND RATES

Guests stay in 41 rooms in four typologies: Single, Double (for single use), Double Standard, Double Superior and Family.

All been renovated with warm colors and modern comforts such as Wi-Fi web access, air conditioning, mini bar, electric kettle and  coffee maker, safe, direct-dial telephone and plasma television with satellite channels.

Do request a balcony room when you book which have views towards the famous Duomo.

The 3 star Hotel La Gioconda is perfectly located for the visitor to Florence, between the exit of the train station of Piazza Santa Maria Novella and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Piazza del Duomo.

From here it is easy to get around and discover the historical center by foot.

La Gioconda is, of course, the Italian name for the famous Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. But the hotel is not so called just for promotional reasons, it was actually almost a century ago in room number 20 of the very same building that the masterpiece was recovered having been famously stolen from Louvre Museum in Paris in 1913.

Read about the fascinating and incredible discovery of the Mona Lisa