Il Bel Laghetto

This homely choice for a large party, cradled by vineyards close to Arezzo, has the look of a rustic Tuscan farmhouse and the feel of a country villa. A balance has been struck between space and cosiness, with rooms harmoniously decorated in pretty pastels and splashes of bold colour and comfortably furnished. Split into two apartments, the villa offers dwellers of each plenty of places to relax in its airy rooms, and every bedroom has been allocated a bathroom, so no need for squabbles. During the sunny months, the focus is likely to be on this villa’s outdoor assets. There is a large communal terrace by the house, which spills out onto a generous lawn where you’ll find the private pool, with diving board. Here, the sundeck beckons, while a well-equipped cooking area with a barbecue and pizza oven will compel you to make meals to enjoy al fresco. And beyond its gates, there is golf and tennis nearby for active guests, and Arezzo, Cortona, and Montepulciano for the culturally minded to explore. Apartment 1 Ground Floor Lounge 1 Two sofas, coffee table, table and chairs, dresser, sideboard, open fireplace, stairs to first floor, main entrance. Lounge 2 Sofa, two easy chairs, side table, desk and chair, open fireplace. Dining Room Table and chairs, bench, dresser, French windows to terrace. Kitchen Fully equipped. Bathroom Shower, sink, WC, washing machine. First Floor Bedroom 1 Double bed (cannot be converted to twins), wardrobe, armchair table, air-conditioning, mosquito screens. Bedroom 2 Double bed (cannot be converted to twins), wardrobe, chair table, air-conditioning, mosquito screens. Bedroom 3 Double bed (can be converted into twins), wardrobe, side table, air-conditioning, mosquito screens. En-suite Bathroom Shower, sink, WC. Bedroom 4 Twin beds (cannot be converted to a double), wardrobe, trunk, chair, side table, air-conditioning, mosquito screens. Bathroom  Corner bath, shower, sink, WC. Bathroom  Shower, sink, WC. Apartment 2 Lounge-Kitchen-Diner Two sofas, table and chairs, side table, open fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, stairs to first floor, main entrance. Bathroom  Shower, sink, WC. First Floor Bedroom 5 Twin beds (cannot be made into a double), wardrobe, desk and chair, air-conditioning, mosquito screens. En-suite bathroom Shower, sink, WC. Bedroom 6 Double bed (cannot be converted into twins), wardrobe, dressing table , chair, air-conditioning, mosquito screens. En-suite bathroom Shower, sink, WC. Our Thoughts If you’re looking for a private retreat for a sizeable group, it doesn’t get much better than this villa. From every angle, it is a beautiful and secluded place, authentically Tuscan in feel. Each bedroom has been designed with its own individual style, from classic restraint to bold and bright exuberance, and each has a bathroom. Serious swimmers will love the fact the pool has a diving board. This is just the place to have fun in the sun and leave the world behind for a while. Notes The apartments do not interconnect. There are open-tread stairs in the smaller apartment.  The owner offers a welcome aperitif made from produce from the farmhouse. Pool The pool is in the back garden, visible from the house but given a degree of privacy from the outside world courtesy of the surrounded hedges and trees. It is set in a stone and terracotta tile sundeck, which is furnished with sun loungers, deckchairs, parasols, and a table and chairs, and has a shower area. The pool has a diving board and the water can be entered via Roman or metal ladder steps. Pool size: 12m x 6m, 1.2m-2.7m. Open May through September, weather permitting