Highlights of Tuscany 2012 

Our journey to Tuscany begins on the Eurostar from St Pancras International, travelling in Standard Premier Class with a light meal and drinks served on board. We spend the first night of the holiday at the Mercure Hotel in Paris, located beside the Gare de Lyon. Your evening is free to explore the romantic French capital city. (E)

Please note: on our 19 June departure we travel to Colmar on Day 1 and spend the night at the Grand Hotel Bristol.

We board the high-speed TGV this morning, travelling south across glorious countryside towards the mighty Alps. After skirting Lyon we leave the high-speed line, travelling across the Italian border and changing trains in Milan and Florence. From Florence the landscape transforms; rolling vine-covered hillsides stretch as far as the eye can see; an area of rustic elegance, where the occasional farmhouse or small village comes into view and where charming walled towns can be seen perched on distant hilltops. Acres of olive groves and row upon row of cypress, walnut and bay trees surround the railway lines and vines grow right up to the tracks. We arrive into the town of Montecatini Terme, one of Europe's spa capitals, surrounded by expansive parks and captivating gardens - once a favourite holiday destination for royalty and aristocracy. We spend seven nights here at the Grand Hotel Vittoria or, on our 19 June departure, at the Grand Hotel Francia e Quirinale. (B,D)

A short rail journey this morning takes us to the beautiful city of Florence - 'the jewel of the Renaissance'. We enjoy a guided tour of the city's many treasures, including the Duomo with its iconic red-tiled dome, and the beautiful Ponte Vecchio - a 14th century bridge that is home to 43 jewellers' shops. Your afternoon is free to explore Florence at leisure. Picturesque narrow streets and handsome squares, including the Piazza della Signoria - the people-watching centre of Florence - are only part of the city's charm; much of the beauty of the city is found indoors. One fifth of the world's Renaissance art is kept and displayed in Florence's museums, galleries, churches, monasteries and palaces; many in the Basilica Santa Croce, burial place of some of Italy's most celebrated icons including Galileo, Machiavelli and Michelangelo, and as many as 1,700 masterpieces in the world-famous Uffizi Gallery. (B,D)

Today is free to explore the attractive spa town of Montecatini. The extravagant 18th century Tettuccio Terme spa is certainly worth a visit, not only for its healing waters but also for its beautiful Liberty architecture. A small funicular railway connects Montecatini Terme with Montecatini Alto, the old town located a few hundred metres above, which offers superb views across the rolling hills of the surrounding Tuscan countryside. Here you can admire the pretty town-houses, and the imposing churches towering high over the town below, before choosing a restaurant or cafe to enjoy lunch and soak up the atmosphere. (B,D)

Today we travel to beautifully preserved medieval Siena, a charismatic Tuscan city where steep, narrow streets wind haphazardly through the town, occasionally opening out onto charming piazzas. The city is delightfully traffic-free, making it perfect to explore on foot. Walking among the terracotta-roofed houses, you will frequently stumble across secret squares and hidden back streets, discovering countless small fountains outside tiny community churches. Sights of interest in Siena include the magnificent Duomo, one of Italy's great cathedrals with a nave flanked on both sides by intriguing giant striped columns, constructed from black and white marble. The cathedral boasts statues by Donatello, Bernini and Michelangelo as well as a unique and elaborate mosaic floor. The Piazza del Campo is the heart of Siena's historic centre, where the famous Palio horse race takes place every year, and is also a must-see. (B,D)

This morning we travel by rail to Pisa, where we enjoy a guided tour that includes the city's beautiful Old Town and the Field of Miracles. Here we see the world-famous Leaning Tower, which began to lean as soon as it was built and was used by Galileo to study gravity, and the marvellous white marble Duomo. The cathedral is often overlooked by tourists who flock to see the bell-tower, but is a true gem in its own right - one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture, with its beautiful marble façade and sublime Moorish mosaics. This afternoon we visit the city of Lucca - Tuscany's best-kept secret; a place of true beauty that has managed to escape the tourist crowds. Majestic city walls encircle a Roman and Medieval heart packed with piazzas, art galleries and tiny churches, all connected by an intricate network of narrow cobbled streets. Splendid Renaissance architecture mingles with historic buildings from the Middle Ages, making the city a pleasure to explore on foot. A stroll around the wide walkways along the top of the ancient ramparts is an excellent way to discover the true charm of the city, while you can get a bird's-eye view of Lucca by climbing the Guinigi Tower, which has an oak tree growing from its top. (B,D)

Today you are free to discover Tuscany further, possibly by revisiting one of the nearby towns or by venturing further afield. Travel west by rail to the coast to explore the lovely seaside resorts, including Viareggio, one of Tuscany's best beach resorts. Alternatively, you could spend the day enjoying the hotel's excellent facilities or indulge yourself with treatments at the Thermal Centre Excelsior's wellness and beauty farm. (B,D)

Today we take an excursion deep into the heart of the Tuscan countryside, travelling by coach through the undulating ochre-coloured hills and past countless lonely farmhouses. Our first destination is charming San Gimignano, a striking walled village with a delightfully rural feel. The village is perhaps best known for the thirteen towers dominating the skyline, visible for miles around, which were built by competitive Tuscan families in the Middle Ages. Located on a hilltop, the village is a delight to stroll around. This afternoon we venture deeper into the countryside to Castello di Meleto. Surrounded by fields and vineyards, the property is located in the beautiful Chianti region, at the end of a pathway lined with cypress trees and laurel bushes. We enjoy a cookery demonstration using typical Tuscan produce and traditional recipes handed down through the generations, before sampling some of the delicious wines for which the area is justly famous. We enjoy a guided tour before dining in the castle. (B,D)

We take the train via Florence, travelling through the heart of Italy, to Turin. Here we stay overnight at the 4-star Hotel ATA Concord. On Day 10 we travel by TGV to Paris, where we transfer by coach across the city. We continue to London by Eurostar, with a light meal and drinks served on board. (Day 9-B,D; Day 10-B,E)

E = Eurostar meal, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday