Castiglion del Bosco

The suites in Il Borgo are tastefully decorated with exposed beams, spacious bathrooms and private terraces, most with drop-dead gorgeous views of the Tuscan scenery.

The villas vary in size from 3,000 to 6,000 square ft but all feature the same emphasis on elegant décor with antique furniture and beautiful artisanal fabrics. Each villas has an outdoor private pool and well appointed kitchen where guests can prepare their own meals or pre-book for a chef to come in. Some of the villas come with tennis courts, staff bedrooms and wood-burning pizza ovens.

Away from the privacy of the villas, there are excellent facilities for guests, including a CdB Spa by Daniela Steiner and the Canonica Cooking School specialising in Tuscan cuisine. The green fingered can also wander around the spectacular gardens where the team grow more than 180 varieties of fruit, veg and herbs.

But enough of these distractions - Castiglion del Bosco is most famous for being one of the founding members of the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino, the organization that regulates and controls the quality of the properly delicious Brunello wine, arguably Italy's finest. Vineyard tours are available and the Winery is a haven for oenophiles and the setting for excellent wine tastings with the estate's expert winemakers.

Needless to say the estate's and region's finest wines are the perfect compliment to the delicious meals created in the two restaurants. The Osteria is more informal, serving lunches and suppers in relaxed surroundings, while the Ristorante Campo Del Drago concentrates on Tuscan-inspired refined dining.