Make it a historic Christmas in a Tuscan hill village

Swop the commercialism and stress of Christmas at home for the timeless appeal of a Tuscan hill village. One of the loveliest is Casole d’Elsa, near Siena, with its narrow main street, two village squares, ancient castle, delightful grocery shop and unpretentious little trattoria.

Il Musicista is a charming apartment in an historic house in the centre available for Christmas from Invitation to Tuscany. Full of traditional character, with heavy beamed ceilings, wood and terracotta floors and warm-coloured fabrics, it provides a very comfortable and peaceful home for up to five people. The village is surrounded by excellent walking and cycling country, and Siena, San Gimignano and Volterra are all within a half-hour drive. Rental for seven nights beginning December 20 is £682.

Couples looking for a really special location for Christmas could choose Uvetta, a little cottage on one of Tuscany’s landmark historic estates - complete with avenues of cypress trees, beautiful central villa, 12th-century towers, and exquisite 16th-century chapel. Originally a farm-worker’s home, the cottage is furnished and decorated in simple, traditional style with an open fire in the living room, polished wood floors, a large well-equipped kitchen, bedroom with queen-sized bed and French doors onto a private terrace. It is only ten minutes’ drive to central Siena. Cost is £1,000 per week.

Guests can take a Christmas morning dip in the indoor heated pool at Il Tasso, the stunning conversion of an ancient olive mill on the edge of the tiny hill village of Montecastelli. The original mill is now a huge superbly-equipped kitchen/living room with high vaulted ceiling and marble floor, but the real highlight is the fabulous indoor pool with its underwater lighting and wave machine. The house sleeps six and has beautiful gardens with wonderful views of the surrounding hills. There is a small shop/bar, pizzeria, Romanesque church and 12th-century castle in the village and marked walking trails nearby. Historic Volterra is 40 minutes away and Siena is one hour. Rental is £1,143 per week. All prices are for accommodation only.

For more information and bookings, log on to invitationtotuscany.com.