The Best Tuscan Villas To Live The Countryside Dream

A Tuscan villa is still one of the world’s great travel fantasies. We delve into 8 of the best villas on offer, each one their own piece of paradise.

Residing in a stunning Tuscan villa is repeatedly on too many people’s bucket lists to simply ignore. It’s something about the picturesque landscapes and feeling a sense of ownership of your dwellings that has everyone sharing the same dream, we imagine.

So when it comes to living out the fantasy, where does one start? Well, thankfully, we’ve researched for you, pulling together a list of incredible villas in Tuscany that’ll give you the push you need to finally make your dream a reality.

1. Vespro

Vespro has a brilliant location – the quiet retreat is just 15 minutes away by bus from Florence, with its Renaissance riches (plus markets, food and fashion).

The stylish, design-savvy interiors of the converted farm building meld classic with just enough contemporary Italian pizzazz – feature wallpapers, edgy colours, fine Italian linens, and a hip pool for chilling out and captivating views.

the dining area at Vespro — Step into Vespro’s stylish interior. (Image: Roberto Leone)

Where: Walking distance from the borgo of Settignano, four kilometres from Florence
Best for: Art lovers, style mavens and those seeking refuge from Florence’s summer madness
The details: Three bedrooms and bathrooms, sleeps six

2. Villa Laura

Villa Laura’s movie-star credentials (Under the Tuscan Sun was filmed here before the 17th-century estate’s meticulous restoration) and idyllic location just outside the hill town of Cortona make this a must-visit for film buffs who fell in love with Tuscany through the magic of the silver screen. The consummately Tuscan interiors are all low-key sophistication with plenty of thoughtful touches. Fantastic kitchens (there are two), well-stocked cellar, organic kitchen garden, pool table, garden-rimmed swimming pool, and more.

a pool surrounded by lush greenery at Villa Laura — Manicured gardens surround the pool at Villa Laura. (Image: Nick George)

Where: Five minutes drive from Cortona, 116 kilometres from Florence in the Val di Chiana region
Best for: Friends and families, wedding parties and celebrations
The details: The villa sleeps 10, the farmhouse sleeps eight, the limonaia sleeps two

3. Villa Bordoni

Villa Bordoni, a 16th-century villa refurbished with brilliant colours and a certain hip flair, is Florentine shabby-chic at its best. Everything is bold, beautiful, bespoke – or sometimes just quirky.

the elegant bedroom at Villa Bordoni — Villa Bordoni is Florentine shabby-chic at its best.

We also like the thoughtful service, the smart but not stuffy ristorante, and its lovely position above Greve, rimmed by Chianti’s olive groves and vineyards, hidden along an unmade road.

the garden at Villa Bordoni — There’s no shortage of shaded areas to rest around the property.

The effortlessly chic Florentine guests will do dolce far niente, but for others, there are walks, wine tours, tastings, the villa’s Chianti Cooking School, or just sunbaking by the pool.

the pool with sun loungers at Villa Bordoni — Seek your much-needed R&R at Villa Bordoni.

Where: Two-and-a-half kilometres from Greve in Chianti, 22 kilometres from Florence
Best for: Italians in the know, design aficionados, walkers, honeymooners, wine and food buffs
The details: Deluxe rooms are for two, and include breakfast

4. Villa il Poggiale

Villa il Poggiale exudes flawless Tuscan style – an ambience of aristocratic family tradition pervades the villa with its frescoes and tapestries.

al fresco setup at Villa il Poggiale — Enjoy breakfast by the terrace at Villa il Poggiale.

There’s a wellness centre (blissful treatments) and endless romantic vistas. You can take cooking lessons or dine on the restaurant’s fresh-picked produce.

the pool with sun loungers at Villa il Poggiale — Relax on the sun loungers.

Visit Florence for its myriad treasures (cultural, culinary, retail), or explore smaller towns, such as Greve, Gaiole, and Castellina in Chianti. In autumn, join a truffle hunt.

a charming dining space at Villa il Poggiale — Dine with scenic views of the surrounding greenery.

Where: Seventeen kilometres south of Florence, in Chianti
Best for: Wine lovers, honeymooners, couples
The details: A Country Superior room sleeps two

5. Villa Le Porciglia

If you love the whimsical style – limed beams and blonde wood, grand spaces and eclectic décor with quirky chandeliers, weathered stone sculptures, and a gold bedhead – Le Porciglia is for you.

the property exterior of Villa Le Porciglia — Le Porciglia is a charming retreat from city life.

There’s a separate pool guesthouse and a flourishing garden of lavender, rosemary and herbs. Beyond are wine-producing vineyards.

the pool at Villa Le Porciglia — The pool is perfectly placed within the idyllic garden.

If you must tear yourself away from the infinity pool and its sublime views, the narrow streets of Casole d’Elsa are near or head to Siena for some serious cultural overload.

a suite with elegant tub at Villa Le Porciglia — Soak in your private tub at Villa Le Porciglia.

Where: Four kilometres from Casole d’Elsa, 20 kilometres from Siena, 58 kilometres from Florence in the Val’Elsa region
Best for: Those seeking a central spot for touring but a stylish abode to retreat to
The details: Five bedrooms, four bathrooms, sleeps 12

6. Villa Sambuco

The owners of a distinctive contemporary art collection have transformed this 18th-century farmhouse into a supremely comfortable yet hip villa – all white walls, edgy artworks and urbane furnishings, with an infinity pool and breathtaking views.

an aerial view of Villa Sambuco in Tuscany, Italy — Take in views of the lush greenery and beyond at Villa Sambuco.

The surrounding World-Heritage-listed landscape of rolling hills (bleached in summer, emerald in spring, mist-shrouded in winter), fortress towns and castles are mesmerising in any season. Walk, cycle, tour, or just indulge in some zen-like chill-out time.

dining by the pool at Villa Sambuco in Tuscany, Italy — Dine al fresco by the pool.

Where: In the Val d’Orcia, 136 kilometres south of Florence
Best for: Art aficionados, foodies, cyclists, wedding parties
The details: Six bedrooms, six bathrooms, sleeps 12

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7. La Torre dei Belforti

Want to immerse yourself in old-world Tuscany? You need to stay at La Torre dei Belforti.

the bedroom at La Torre dei Belforti — Sleep in a beautiful brick bedroom at La Torre dei Belforti.

An actual historic tower where you can rent separate rooms or the entire property, the exterior may look straight out of the 14th century, but the interiors have been lovingly restored to offer comfort and charm for guests.

the pool at La Torre dei Belforti, Tuscany, Italy — Head to the pool for a dip.

Where: Belforte, 45 kilometres from Siena, 77 kilometres from Florence in Val d’Orcia
Best for: History buff
The details: Three bedrooms, three bathrooms, sleeps six

8. La Quercia Estate

Location, location, location. La Quercia Estate is perfectly positioned close to Florence and driving distance from Siena and San Gimignano on a small estate near Impruneta.

the pool at Villa La Quercia, Tuscany, Italy — Live out your Tuscany fantasy at La Quercia Estate.

The villa’s comfortable summerhouse aesthetic features beautiful original stonework dating back to the 17th century, pale sofas, clever lighting and a central fireplace. The country-style cucina is well equipped, and the pool is perfect for Campari at the end of the day.

al fresco dining at Villa La Quercia, Tuscany, Italy — Indulge in a luxurious stay.

Where: Walking distance to Impruneta, 16 kilometres from Florence
Best for: Golfers, food and wine lovers, cultural tourists, families
The details: Five bedrooms, four bathrooms, sleeps eight

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

The 8 best Tuscan villas for living the countryside dream