Villa Bordoni

An escape in the Chianti countryside.

Set amid olive groves and terraced vineyards, the ten-roomed Villa Bordoni only opened in March and offers a delightful escape into the Chianti countryside.

Just 45 minutes' drive south of Florence, it stands above the pretty town of Greve and took Scottish owners Catherine and David Gardner three years to restore what was previously the home of impoverished aristocrats. This provides the theme for a remarkable grand-yet-rustic décor, which cunningly blends rich with poor - a chicken coop has been converted into an impressive piece of eye-candy and a twig-brush curtain tassel imitates how the previous residents emulated sumptuous on a shoestring.

One feature that definitely isn't just for show is the open Molteni cast-iron kitchen headed by Francesco Fineo, who the Gardners poached from their well-known restaurants in Florence, Beccofino and Baldovino, which draw stars such Cindy Crawford, Elvis Costello and Jamie Oliver. A mouth-watering menu includes stuffed seafood in a ragu of fresh langoustine, and don't forget this is wine country too. Comfortable and romantic, Villa Bordoni's honeymoon credentials are highlighted by double-loungers overlooking a huge turquoise pool and lush green countryside. La dolce vita, indeed…

Double rooms at Villa Bordoni (00 39 055 884 0004; www.villabordoni.com) cost from £159 including breakfast. For information on visiting Tuscany see www.intoscana.it.