Villa Alba is part of the Castiglion del Bosco estate which has, at its heart, the Borgo, with two fabulous restaurants, a state of the art fitness and spa complex, tennis courts, one of Italy's newest and most spectacular golf courses, a famous frescoed chapel and a shimmering infinity swimming pool that overlooks both Montalcino and the ranging, raw beauty of the Val d'Orcia. This is a stunning setting: the Val d'Orcia was awarded UNESCO's World Cultural Landscape status in 1996 and it's easy to see why - an artist's dream, the hills gently undulate under a vast sky. Nearby, Pienza is the "touchstone of Renaissance urbanism" and the wine towns of Montalcino and Montepulciano, noted for their rich Brunellos and Vino Nobile, are just a stone's throw away.