Connoisseurs Tuscany

• Wonderful villa hotel with swimming pool, tennis and great cuisine
• Gentle, varied walking: country trails, coastal paths, deserted beaches, undiscovered off-shore islands
• Cypress trees, sunflowers, olive groves, vineyards - lots of wine tasting!
• Etruscan tombs, mediaeval fortified towns, Roman roads
• Easy day trips to the great art cities of Siena and Orvieto; optional extra nights in Rome too

The Maremma is a beautiful unspoilt area in south west Tuscany. This is how all the region must once have been - immaculately preserved mediaeval villages with few foreign visitors, and un-travelled paths through ancient woodlands.

Nestled between the olive studded hills and vineyards of the mediaeval hamlet of Montemerano is the luxurious AAAA Agriturismo Acquaviva. Your hosts, Valentina and Serafino, have dedicated twenty years in restoring this former 18C country house into an immaculate villa hotel with menus based on fresh, home grown produce - you can even drink wine from the villa's private vineyard. All 25 rooms offer air conditioning, mini bar and television and overlook well maintained gardens. There is also a tennis court and a panoramic swimming pool with jacuzzi.

Many of the walks follow ancient Etruscan pathways - carved through the tufa rock - that still connect pretty villages like Sovana and Vulci. You'll also come across Roman springs, ruined mediaeval fortresses and secret cave dwellings. It's just 45 mins drive to the unspoilt Tuscan coast and the great Italian art cities of Siena and Orvieto are easily accessible for days out.