In a charming fortified hill village, this graceful 14th-century palazzo has been sensitively converted into a villa, retaining its traditional character', say visitors in 2002. Wine cellars and a shop selling the Ugolino family owners' Chianti wine, La Castellina, are on the ground floor. Above are the villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms), `traditionally furnished and quiet, the Bali villa breakfast room with its panoramic terrace, and the `beautifully furnished' lounges (one has frescoed walls, another a large fireplace; oriental rugs lie on wooden floors). villa rooms at the rear have stunning views over the surrounding hills. Staff could not have been more helpful. There is a swimming pool in the family's fattoria nearby, which also has self-catering apartments. No restaurant: there is one in the village. The countryside around is like a scene from a medieval painting: Kenneth Branagh filmed Much Ado About Nothing in the area.

A converted medieval hamlet, with a little chapel and a tiny cemetery, on a huge wooded estate amid hilly Chianti countryside midway - between Florence and Siena. It is now a smart albergo/ristorante, owned and run by Alessandro and Christina Lobrano-Scotoni.,`It is so peaceful. Ideal for those who want tranquillity after frenetic Florence, one visitor wrote. The design captures the flavour of the area, says another. For the energetic there are two swimming pools and a gym. In the arcaded restaurant, Alessandro Lobrano, `larger than life, and always around', presides, and the food is `of a high standard' (residents must reserve a table). Meals are served on a terrace under parasols in fine weather. Many villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms) are in stone cottages. Ours, very good, had all mod cons, lovely antique furniture, a big modem bathroom. Its small south-facing veranda had beautiful views of the valley - we listened to the cuckoo by day, the nightingale by night.' The owners write that the Tenuta is good for parents who want to enjoy time with their children, not for those who want to deposit them in a Kiddies' Club, or who let them disturb the peace of other visitors. A car is essential.