Living the good life in renaissance splendour

Seeking big and beautiful in Tuscany? A collection of scenically-located historic villas sleeping up to 20 people and providing a memorable setting for special get-togethers for groups of family or friends are available exclusively from Invitation to Tuscany. Featured in several glossy coffee-table books and used as the backdrop for film and photographic shoots, Villa Corsano really packs the ‘wow’ factor.

A stunning 16th-century Renaissance villa eight miles south of Siena, it was once one of the most important houses in the area and its luminous rooms recall its splendid past. Restored, decorated and furnished in a fabulous and individual style by its aristocratic owners, it features an opulent drawing room with a vaulted ceiling covered in trompe l’oeil paintings of exotic oriental birds and flowers. It also has an enormous dining room – containing what is reputedly the largest fireplace in Tuscany – with a table comfortably seating up to 30.

Among the ten bedrooms is a particularly vast one created from the former ballroom and boasting colourful frescoed ceilings and a huge Venetian glass chandelier. There is a fabulous kitchen with first-class professional equipment and a colonnaded courtyard, perfect for outdoor dining.

Panoramic views across a landscape which has inspired painters for centuries can be admired from the house and large swimming pool, while olive groves and parkland grounds provide wonderful walking and plenty of space for children’s games. Baby-sitting and excursions can be arranged. Sleeping 20, Villa Corsano costs £4,690 per week in low season (October 4-May 10), and £6,899 for the rest of the year including Christmas and New Year.

In the heart of Chianti Classico country is a 13th-century stone farmhouse with a small tower and converted barn, sleeping a total of 17. Crespine is close to the village of Panzano – renowned for its wines and olive oil – and is just 30 minutes from both Florence and Siena.

Very much a family home, it is tastefully decorated and furnished with family antiques, and has a choice of sitting rooms, a large well-equipped kitchen, and 15 hectares of grounds with a beautiful infinity-edge swimming pool and plenty of shady patios. Cooking and guided tours can be arranged. Rental is from £4,667 per week low season, rising to £6,111 in high season (June 28-August 30).

Views of the evocative silhouettes of Siena will take your breath away from the broad terrace at Villa La Strega, an elegant house sleeping 11 less than a mile from the city centre. Reached via a quiet country lane, the 16th-century house has a light and gracious interior with marble staircase, antique-furnished rooms, and large grounds complete with pretty, walled rose garden, swimming pool set among olive groves and even a private chapel. Cost is from £2,353 low season to £3,294 high season.

For more information, log on to invitationtotuscany.com.