Leave the grey skies behind and head to Italy

With August fast approaching, rental specialist Holiday Homes in Italy still have some remaining self-catering apartments and villas, many offering last minute discounts and a perfect antidote to the grey skies and rain.

From Puglia to Tuscany and Sardinia, Italy offers the traveller a rich variety of culture, guaranteed sunshine, wonderful landscapes and dramatic coastlines. These properties offer clients their own piece of Italy with privacy, space and impressive savings compared to the price of a hotel. Here are just a few of the current self-catering options in August;

Bella Toscana, Tuscany - 29th aug, 7 nights accommodation only - 30% discount now £590.00

Lovely cottage in a small farmhouse resort near Arezzo in Tuscany. The Cottage offers 2 bedrooms and sleeps up to 6 guests. The property includes its own garden and there is a communal pool. The Chianti region is only 20-30 minutes away and Lake Trasimeno is on the doorstep.

Villa Todi, Umbria. 22nd August, 7 nights accommodation only - 10% discount now £1,275.00

This gorgeous villa overlooks the pretty medieval town of Todi in southern Umbria and offers 3 bedrooms. The property has lovely gardens and terraces perfect for dining 'al fresco', as well as a private swimming pool.

Serene Bay Villa, Lake Garda. 15th August, 7 nights accommodation only - 15% discount now £2,500.00

This charming Villa is immersed in olive, laurel and cypress trees and offers exceptional views over Lake Garda and its romantic scenery. The property has 5 bedrooms and sleeps up to 9 guests and the lake shore and beaches are a mere 800m away.

For more information about Holiday Homes in Italy, visit holidayhomesinitaly.com - an extended list of August availability can be found on the front page.