For little ones who want room to run around, the sprawling Italian countryside never runs out of space for exploring, horseriding or cycling and our villas, with their extensive, lovingly tended gardens, private pools and stone terraces, only enhance the pleasures of the great outdoors.

Even history lessons take place outside here, with the historic spires, domes and towers of Florence, Siena, Pisa and San Gimignano, the narrow winding streets of medieval hilltop villages or the mirror-like waterways of Venice – and when it comes to dining, parents can relax in the knowledge that children will be warmly welcomed, whatever their age. From upmarket fine dining to pizza and a hundred different flavours of ice cream, there’s food in abundance for everyone, as well as some of the best wines in the world.