THE FACTS ABOUT FATTORIA LA CORTI

Italy

A lovely estate on the lesser-known western fringe of Chianti, Fattoria La Corti is owned by one of Italy's oldest families, the Corsini, descendants of both a saint and Pope Clement XII (who commissioned the Trevi Fountain). At one time the Corsini could ride all the way from this estate to their palace in Rome without ever leaving their own land. Despite its august background, La Corti is a refreshingly friendly and relaxed estate, with accommodation in the former estate manager's house (Casa del Fattore), an apartment (Lo Sperone) and one villa (Gugliaie) with its own swimming pool. Casa del Fattore and the apartment share a large pool surrounded by lawns. The estate manager's house is located in a wing of the fattoria where the oil and wine are made. It's pretty without being twee, with white and pastel-washed walls, antique terracotta tiled floors, airy bedrooms and easy access to private dining terraces. SUITABLE FOR Anyone interested in the inner workings of an olive-oil- and wine-producing estate. This is a good base for easy day trips into Florence, San Gimignano and Chianti and is ideal for families and wedding parties (the ground floor of the Renaissance villa and 18th-century garden can be rented out for the reception) ACTIVITIES A flower and garden festival every September in the garden ACCOMMODATION Villa Gugliaie sleeps nine (€3,874-€4,650 per week); Casa del Fattore sleeps eight (€2,480-€3,250); Lo Sperone Apartment sleeps four (€827-€982) LOCATION Outside San Casciano Val di Pesa, 10km south of the Florence ring road on the Florence to Siena motorway CONTACT Fattoria la Corti, via S Piero di Sotto, 50026 San Casciano Val di Pesa (00 39 055 820123; email: info@principecorsini.com; www.principecorsini.com)