Santa Virginia, near Castelfiorentino

Arriving at the Santo Stefano estate, you cannot fail to be impressed by the scenery - beautiful rolling hills with lines of cypresses and small Tuscan hill towns in the distance. The private houses on the estate are far enough apart to ensure privacy but within an easy drive or pleasant walk from the office of the English speaking estate manager who is on hand to welcome guests and assist with further information about the area.

The ground floor of Santa Virginia is large and airy with a spacious sitting room running the full width of the house and a dining room overlooking the infinity pool and panorama. A glass fronted kitchen leads out to a paved patio area and a strategically placed shaded dining terrace which provides wonderful dawn and twilight views.

The travertine marble staircase leads up to one twin and five double bedrooms, painted in soft pastel colours, all with ensuite bathrooms. Four are shower rooms and the twin has bath with stand up shower attachment. With great views and large windows, the bedrooms make the best of sunrise and sunset. Three of the rooms face east and three face south west.

The south facing pool with a spa bath on the west facing end runs the whole length of the house and can be seen from almost every room . Bordered by a terracotta paved solarium, the pool lies right next to the house and literally on the edge of the tree topped crest. Mosaic tiled, steps lead down from the terrace into the water. Such an inviting way of watching the sun go down, over drinks maybe!

**Note regarding children: The terraced garden by the pool is fenced around the bottom terrace. Small children in particular should be kept in view when by the poolside or when playing in the garden.