Katy, UK: Loving restored and real sense of how their ancestors lived
We visited historic Villa Pepi last June and it's hard to put into words just how wonderful this place is. It has been loving restored by the family with an emphasis on retaining as many of the original features as possible, with the result that you get a real sense of how their ancestors lived. Of course it has modern facilities such as showers and a fully fitted out kitchen, but if you are looking for slickly renovated accommodation this isn't the place for you. The grounds are a joy, adorned with roses and fruit trees, the scent of which you can enjoy whilst lying by the charming swimming pool. We took advantage of the lovely walking routes through the Tuscany landscape. It's a place for those who appreciate history and want a peaceful retreat but I would not recommend it for families with young children or party people as many of the original artefacts are still on display, some of which are quite fragile. We shall certainly be returning to this gorgeous Tuscan retreat.