The Villa Book, Villa Monte

Looking for a vacation read you can’t put down? Then peruse The Villa Book, whose exclusive collection of villas and urban apartments is a page-turner. Properties in the world’s most romantic destinations include Italy’s Villa Monte, a traditional 5-bedroom Tuscan farmhouse that dates back 400 years. With 125 acres of olive groves and woodlands, a terraced hillside setting and a stunning view over the Val d’Arno, this is a gem for seekers of tranquility. Adding to the enchantment are beamed ceilings, terracotta floors, an open fireplace and spacious swimming pool and covered dining area.

Whether you laze in the beautifully maintained gardens or sip local vintages in the Chianti vineyards, you will savor your home away from home. A scenic train ride from the local railway station takes you to nearby Florence, home to Michelangelo’s David, the famed Uffizi galleries, and the historic Piazza del Duomo. You might hike the city’s surrounding hills and discover views that captivated novelist E.M. Forster, or you might leisurely explore the area’s smaller towns: in Lucca, the ancient Roman racetrack is now a market square, while San Gimignano offers a quintessential Tuscan hill town experience.