The wintry weather still being endured across much of Britain has resulted in a surge of villa bookings to the sunnier climes of Italy, according to Invitation to Tuscany. The long-established accommodation specialist reports spring and summer bookings are well ahead of last year, with some of its most popular holiday homes almost full for peak season.

But there’s still time to bag your place under the Tuscan sun, as several hand-picked new properties have just been taken on and still have good summer availability.

Iconic, timeless views over rolling vineyards and olive groves greet guests at Roseto, a lovingly-restored hillside farmhouse dating back to the 13th-century and set in lush scented gardens in the heart of the Chianti Classico region midway between Florence and Siena. Tastefully decorated and furnished with family antiques, the beautiful old house sleeps 12 people and has plenty of areas – inside and out – for getting together or curling up quietly with a book. There’s a fabulous infinity-edge swimming pool, an outdoor boules court, and table-tennis in the lemon-house when it’s not being used as an informal alternative to the elegant dining room. Seven-night rental is £4,458 in low-season (from now till May 3, excluding Easter); £5,067 mid-season (Easter, May 4-June 28); and £5,786 high-season (June 29-September 6).

Also new for summer 2013 is Pagliaio, the high-quality conversion of an old hay barn on a farmstead near Arezzo. Sleeping four to six people, it has a charming rustic interior with terracotta floors and beamed ceilings. Guests can relax in hammocks slung from olive and walnut trees and there is a spacious pool area, illuminated at night and shared with two other cottages. Weekly rental is £660 low-season, £1,139 mid and £1,458 high.

Named after a local wine, Morellino is a laid-back, pink-painted family home in the Maremma countryside south of Siena. It has an attractive sitting room, cheerful kitchen and a furnished pergola perfect for lingering al fresco meals. The house sleeps eight and has well-kept gardens with umbrella pines for dappled shade, wide lawns for children’s games, a pizza oven, brick barbecue and swimming pool with great views over vines and olive trees. It is only a few minutes’ drive from the walled, medieval town of Magliano in Toscana where there is a good choice of restaurants and wine bars and a lively programme of summer music festivals. The coast is half-an-hour’s drive. Rental is £1,817 per week low-season, £2,130 mid, and £2,255 high.

For details of these and 200 more cottages, farmhouses, apartments and villas across Tuscany, Umbria, the Ligurian coast and Italian Lakes, call Invitation to Tuscany (020-8444 9500; www.invitationtotuscany.com), which can also arrange wine-tasting/art/food itineraries, bike hire, cookery classes and weddings. Prices are for accommodation only and flights are extra.

ENDS

Release issued by Jennie Stevens at Pennant Media (01225-313147; jennie@pennantmedia.co.uk).