The ideal overseas home in northern Tuscany

A novelist has explained how she and her husband found the ideal overseas home in northern Tuscany.

Writing in the Times, Roma Tearne explained that they have come to northern Italy with the dream of owning an Italian home. She noted that the hilly countryside in less "discovered" parts of Tuscany differs from the tourist-orientated parts of Tuscany by being much calmer and retaining a peaceful, rural atmosphere.

"You have a Tuscany address, but it is more isolated, it is a cultured crowd who make for Tuscany in summer. The region's undulating olive groves, Renaissance towns and stone borghi satisfy their romantic definition of "summer holiday" in these undiscovered towns which radiate friendliness" Ms Tearne explained.

Luca Catalano of developer Realitalia says "Despite its beauty, this location is relatively undiscovered where agriculture is still a solid, local business, and with property prices that are a fraction of those in other, better-known areas in Tuscany."

In related news, the recent Savills Research reveals that Brits dominate the inward flow into the Tuscan property market representing over one third of foreign buyers...