This grand old villa has all the charm of yesteryear, plus a swimming pool practically grazing the treetops. Between Turin and Milan, in the Piedmont countryside, the grounds are flanked by hills and surrounded by forest. You can enjoy a quiet, rural location yet it’s just a fifteen-minute drive into the centre of Asti, known as the City of 100 towers in its medieval heart. Perhaps pick up a bottle of chilled, sparkling Asti and bring it back to enjoy on the terrace of your grand, Italian country home. There’s an outdoor dining table on the swimming pool terrace that overlooks the forest just begging for an evening tipple, or perhaps a barbecue dinner if you’ve been truffle hunting in the area. Inside, it’s the careful renovation of the home’s original features that really make this place stand out. Hand-painted frescoes on walls, corniced ceilings like the icing on a wedding cake and vintage mosaic tiles underfoot. Exposed brick in the kitchen gives a rustic feel, alongside the old hearth turned sink. On the first floor, a huge barn-like room with arched floor-to-ceiling windows looking over the forest is the perfect place for a family celebration.