As leaves turn to orange and gold and logs crackle and glow in fireplaces, Tuscany acquires a very special charm. Nowhere is this truer than at Villa Ardore, which has been designed for the highest comfort all year long.

There is nothing quite like putting your boots on and going for long walks to marvel at the vineyards and forest leaves that are all at different stages of green, yellow, brown and red. You might even carry a basket since there is no better time for foraging in Tuscany – it’s unlikely that you’ll come home empty-handed.

But Autumn is also wonderful indoors, where you can curl up with a book, relax in the spa, or learn to make pizza. Or you can venture out to the galleries and museums of nearby Florence during a time of year when there are fewer tourists, and you can linger contemplatively over some of the world’s greatest works of art.

Various truffle festivals also take place in November around Tuscany, one of the most famous being the one held in the hilltop town of San Miniato, dedicated to the prized local tartufo bianco (white truffle).

Spend time relaxing by the fireplace in December, when even the chilliest of days are everywhere filled with warmth and light. Then don your coat and scarf and take a day trip to wander through one of the region’s many Christmas markets to find the perfect present and feast on local Tuscan delicacies.

If you like the idea of exploring local markets, don’t miss the ‘Mercato del Campo’ in Piazza del Campo in Siena. Dating back to the Middle Ages, it is one of the regions’ largest markets with over 100 stalls selling crafts and the best local foods and wine. Keep an eye out for the presepe vivente, the live nativity play, that you can find in several piazzas throughout the region.

Cocooned by the heated floors and fireplaces at the villa, indulge in the happiest Christmas with the ones you love and welcome the new year sharing your hopes and dreams for the year ahead. Enjoy the traditional cotechino and lentils for good luck – accompanied of course by an excellent glass of red wine.

Winter is also the perfect time to turn to an inner focus, dedicating attention to yourself, your own well-being. Recharge with the beauty of art and history, the joy of local delicacies and the healing power of walks in nature.

Winter temperatures are never too low in Tuscan’s Chianti zone, where Villa Ardore sits among forest and vineyards, so you only need to dress a little warmer than in autumn to comfortably enjoy the timeless charm of landscapes and villages in Tuscany.

The period from autumn through winter is truly a beautiful time of year, filled with festivities, bountiful harvest and enjoying time with your loved ones, and there is no place better to experience it than at Villa Ardore.