Il Poggiolo, Monteloro, Tuscany

Deep in a verdant valley just outside Fiesole, a handful of ancient stone farmhouses cluster around an elegant 15th century villa. It is Il Poggiolo, a historic estate which a sensitive development has turned into an idyllic hamlet of perfect second homes.
Here, Knight Frank are selling a two-bedroom house set close to the main villa. Window boxes and vines add a floral touch to a traditional exposed stone façade. A wrought iron door leads to charmingly rustic interiors with beamed ceilings, wrought iron lights and a fireplace. The living quarters are downstairs and the bedrooms, one of which is galleried, on the first floor. Water supply comes from a fresh spring in the area.
The house, which could be purchased furnished, shares communal gardens and a swimming pool with the other properties in the hamlet. Even better, it has a lush countryside of vineyards, olive groves, cypresses and woodland at its feet, despite being only 10 kilometres from Florence and its airport.
The asking price is €480,000. For further information, call Knight Frank on 020 7629 8171 or visit www.knightfrank.com.