This beguiling eco-friendly small country hotel, on a large organic farm near Urbino, is surrounded by a landscape of gently rolling hills that “radiate beauty and tranquillity”. Giulia Savini , runs it with her parents Augusto (the architect who designed the house) and Adriana. “She loves cooking, every day we looked forward to dinner,” says a visitor this year. “Service is highly personal.” The simple, attractive bedrooms are well insulated, the house is solar heated and powered, and in the open-style sitting room/library there is a log fire and a collection of books on ecology and landscaping. The set five-course dinner is based on seasonal ingredients, many grown on the family”s surrounding organic farm: “Adriana and her daughter, Giulia, take pride in telling you what is in each dish” (in autumn there are truffles from the woods). “Liqueurs after dinner were home made by Giulia from local fruits, nuts and herbs.” “The pièce de résistance is rose jam.” The large swimming pool in the garden is “lovingly cared for” by Mr Savini. His horses are available for guests to go riding. “We enjoyed our stay so much that we extended it by a couple of nights.”