We are the Taxis Family. William, Miranda, our two children, Isabella (6) and Annie (4). Along with the very friendly Molly our Labrador and our ginger kitten Orlando. We live in a classic Casa Colonica - farmhouse in the Val di Chiana. Not far south of the medieval city of Arezzo. We moved here in 2002 and have not regretted it for a minute.

There have been all sorts of trials and red tape to overcome, but now we are busy restoring our beautiful house. It was built in 1782 and is bursting with character - having now read a few history books on the region I can imagine all kinds of things going on in this place, anything from everyday life of impoverished farm hands, to the planning of uprisings against the landowners of the area. Raising pitchforks in battle in Arezzo to defend their livelihood. All taking place under the roof of our home!

We have started our restoration of this fabulous building in 2003 and are now happily welcoming guests to stay in our home and sharing this beautiful space with us.

At the start of the new millennium we made the decision to move here to Italy and after a year of searching we finally fell upon this house, completely by chance, it fitted very few of the criteria on our list except the most important "self sustaining" and "great views". But both of us followed the feeling in our hearts and decided to buy it and move out.

Moving was an epic moment. We literally moved lock, stock and the kitchen sink, in a 60ft articulated truck from the lovely sleepy county of Herefordshire in the UK to Eastern Tuscany. Talk about a change of style! Although it has to be said - equally sleepy, something comforting in that!

Now some years on, and we really feel part of the community. The people have been so welcoming and friendly, the villages that we frequent most, Policiano, and Rigutino, have a lovely cosy feel about them. Everybody has time for a chat, even those who don't really even know us. An atmosphere that I fear has been all but lost in the UK.

We successfully grow plenty of produce in our Kitchen garden and are happily eating the produce - including Melons! I'm in shock every day by the fact that we did this all ourselves! Our guests are also welcome to help themselves to what is in season, fresh from the garden to their plates.

The children go to school locally, have many friends and are now both fluent, we are constantly surprised when they correct us! As well as being very proud of them every time we hear them chatting away in Italian to their friends. They are both really settled here now, having made some great new friends and have plenty to keep them occupied!

Now with our swimming pool our two apartments and our B&B suite in the Tower on top of the house we are welcoming guests all the time from all over the world.

We have no regrets about leaving the cosy shores of Great Britain and we are thoroughly settled here in Toscana.

Come and join us!