Villa Tombolino, Pienza

For a family celebration or a birthday party with a select group of friends, it’s hard to beat Tombolino. Owned and designed by Ilaria Miani, doyenne of contemporary Tuscan-country style, the villa can accommodate 12 in the main house and six in the barn. Straight out of an interior-design magazine, the decor seamlessly mixes modernist cast-iron furniture, earthy wall tints and Brancusi-style bedposts. But style does not dominate substance: This is a house designed to be lived in. The full-featured kitchen is a magnet for guests; there are several outside seating areas for dining or aperitivi; and if the infinity pool gets crowded, there’s a Jacuzzi for two with sunset views over the dramatically eroded Crete Senesi hills. $ Rentals start at $9,850 per week (sleeps 18); book through merrioncharles.com.

$ Establishment accepts no charge/credit cards or accepts cards other than the American Express Card.