In search of old fashioned, authentic Tuscany...? Well, the tiny hamlet of Montelopio offers real Tuscan charm, a nice little restaurant with its own wine cellars for tastings and two excellent apartments for rent, a mere 2 minutes walk away.

The building was once a huge and ancient barn. Nowadays its become three apartments, side by side. In the first apartment, Dolly the dog lives with her two owners (they also happen to own the two apartments for rent, but Dolly isn't much interested in that!). Signor Vittorio and Signora Carla are on hand with their local knowledge any time you might need them, otherwise they keep a very low profile and leave you to enjoy the lovely garden, the fine views and the sparkling pool. The two apartments for rent are very similar, each with a double bedroom and en suite bathroom upstairs, each with a well-equipped kitchen downstairs and a sitting room with a handy cloakroom (powder room). The apartments are both perfect for two and if you want to add an extra two to your party, there's ample space on the double sofa bed in the sitting room.

Pisa airport is just under an hour's drive from the apartments, the ancient Etruscan city of Volterra is 30 minutes away, while Lucca and Livorno are both little more than an hour's drive, as is Monteriggioni with its amazing circle of medieval walls and Montelupo, famous for its wonderful ceramics and its interesting little ceramics museum. In other words, these apartments are well located if you want to explore Tuscany. If you simply want genuine rural peace under the Tuscan sun, then the apartments are ideal for that too! This quiet corner of Tuscany hasn't really moved with the times - so be warned, you are likely to have to pause on the road to let the local shepherd and his flock go by! The people here move at a leisurely pace - the food is as full of flavour and simple goodness as it was a hundred years ago and the local wines are a treat. The signora's daughter lives just a few minutes walk away and the lovely Georgia speaks perfect English should you want to call on her for information about the local stables for horse-back explorations or to book in for the two free mountain bikes. Whatever you might need, Georgia will be delighted to help. There are shops, bars, restaurants and banks in nearby Peccioli and you'll find the entire area both beautiful and liberally sprinkled with places to eat out if you don't want to cook or BBQ at home.

And why not sample the delights of the nearby spa town of Casciana Terme, a 30 minute drive away.The entire place is given over to the pleasures of the waters. Italians are wild about spa treatments and this one has been in business for over a thousand years! You can pop in for a relaxing few hours in the thermal pool for a mere 20 euro. Pedicures and facials cost around 50 euro and if you choose to indulge in some seriously spoiling expert massages, then you can spend anything from 50 to 150 euro. You might decide to take your partner for a float in the saline pool at zero gravity for just 25 euro each, with the pool deliciously private for just the two of you. If you want a full-on oriental massage to bring body, mind and spirit into perfect harmony, then you'd be looking at around 100 euro. You can drop by Casciana Terme and check out the options for yourself or Georgia will give you a full rundown. A day at the spa has to be the perfect way of getting behind the usual tourists scene with a truly Tuscan treat.

Whether you simply want to chill in the sun or spend your time exploring the historic villages and wineries of this picturesque area, you'll find lots to please. The area abounds with interesting local arts and crafts. Georgia can organise cookery lessons, a welcome supper or a personalised tour of the local vineyards, she can book you into restaurants and she'll happily ensure this is one of the most memorable Tuscan holidays you've ever had!