Property HEG56704, Holiday Villa for rental in Monteriggioni, Tuscany and Florence, Italy

Situated only 6km along the ancient Via Cassia from stunning Siena, this superb private villa has been converted from a small country school, which closed as a result of falling birth rates. From Casa dei Castelli's beautiful swimming pool, you gaze straight across to two imposing castles, the 12th-century Castello della Villa and the 13th-century Castello della Chiocciola, the 'castle of the snail', so named because of its distinctive spiral staircase.Remains from the Palaeolithic period found here are now on display at the British Museum in London, donated by an English gentleman who came to be the castle's rightful owner as the result of an outrageously lucky game of poker!While the views across the wooded hills and wheat fields have not changed in the centuries since these magnificent castles were built, the house itself has been thoroughly transformed. No traces remain of chalk dust or the sweat of generations of pupils labouring over their times-tables. Instead, Casa dei Castelli offers exceptionally spacious and supremely comfortable accommodation of the highest quality. The large living/dining room is beautifully furnished and leads through to a well-equipped kitchen complete with washing machine and dishwasher. Each of the three spacious bedrooms (two doubles and one twin/double) have their own luxurious shower room; two of these are en suite.Whenever you can drag yourself away from the luxury of your own pool, there is plenty to explore within easy striking distance. As close as Siena, in the opposite direction, is the tiny walled town of Monteriggioni, and San Gimignano can be reached by car in less than half an hour. Along the superstrada you can get to Florence in an hour, but more rewarding perhaps is to follow the old road, which leads right through the heart of Chianti Classico - 'the Chianti wine route'. There are also lovely country walks on your doorstep.The nearest eating place is just about 900 metres away along the quiet country road that runs past the property, so you could occasionally leave your car behind and sample the wares of the Chianti region without having to worry about driving home.