Hidden Treasures of Tuscany

We join the Eurostar at London St Pancras travelling to Paris where we continue by rail to Turin for one night. We have dinner together in Turin.

• Dinner
• Eurostar Meal

After a relaxed morning with free time in elegant Turin we take the train to Poggibousi via Florence. From Poggibousi we have a short coach transfer to Monteriggioni, a wonderful medieval fortress town and our base for the next seven nights. This evening we enjoy dinner at our hotel. Peacefully situated beneath the castle walls, our 4-star hotel has lush gardens, an attractive swimming pool and wellness centre, with panoramic views of surrounding parkland.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today you're free to explore Monteriggioni at your own pace. Set behind an imposing fortress wall, on a gentle hill - surrounded by olive groves and vineyards - Monteriggioni's medieval buildings are remarkably well-preserved. Here you'll find the 13th century Monteriggioni Castle, and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. You could also visit Siena, just 15-20 minutes away by car. Siena is a fabulous medieval city with a striking Palazzo Pubblico, which overlooks the vast Piazza del Campo - a shell-shaped piazza, famous as the location for Siena's Palio - a traditional horse racing event, held twice a year in summer. Dinner is served at our hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today we travel to Montepulciano, an elegant and historic hill town with views of the iconic Tuscan landscape - endless rolling hills, rows of Cypress trees and vineyards. After a guided tour we have free time in the beautiful medieval village, known worldwide for its Vino Nobile, one of Tuscany's most treasured red wines. In the highest part of the town is the handsome Piazza Grande, a popular meeting place, surrounded by the cathedral, Renaissance palazzos and churches. We then visit a local farm where we enjoy a wine tasting and traditional lunch. This afternoon we visit the delightful village of Pienza for a wander around its golden medieval streets, admiring superb Renaissance architecture around the main square and magical views of the Val d'Orcia, a UNESCO listed landscape. We return to our hotel for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we visit Assisi by coach. Here we visit the famous Basilica with a Franciscan monk as our guide. We continue to Perugia, a beautiful old town, perhaps best-known as the home of 'Baci' or 'Kiss' chocolates. Here we enjoy time at a chocolate laboratory with an explanatory talk and tasting. We return to our hotel for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is free to enjoy at your own pace, possibly relaxing by the pool at your lovely hotel or exploring the town or nearby area independently. You could take a walk along the medieval walls, where you can enjoy beautiful views of the Chianti region, or relax in the central cobbled square, Piazza Roma. The impressive arched gateway to the town, the Porta di Ponente, faces Florence - to the right of this is a plaque with lines quoted from Dante on Monteriggioni. This is part of the historical Chianti area, so why not visit a wine cellar where you can taste full-bodied wines which pair perfectly with local cheese, olives and honey.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today we transfer by coach to Siena station for a unique, steam-hauled excursion to a Tuscan village festival. We travel onboard the Treno Natura, on a line used exclusively by this historic train. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the excitement and tradition of a small village festival, celebrating seasonal food and wine. You might join a truffle tour in beautiful Crete Senesi, or join in village festivities celebrating a wine harvest. Or experience the age-old village traditions of an Autumn festival to mark the chestnut season or the first batch of new olive oils. With a local tour guide to introduce you to the festival activities, you have free time for lunch and we're transferred back to our hotel in the late afternoon. Each departure date visits a different festival, so please check for details when booking.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today, after a short transfer to Poggibousi station, we take the train to the glorious Renaissance city of Florence. We enjoy a guided walking tour of the city's treasures, including the beautiful Duomo with its terracotta-tiled dome and the elegant Ponte Vecchio, a 14th century bridge. After our tour you have free time to explore. You might like to take a leisurely stroll beside the luminous green-blue waters of the Arno, passing the Palazzo Pitti and Basilica di Santo on the south bank of the city or visit the Boboli Gardens on the edge of the city. Instead, continue to discover the many examples of Renaissance art, overflowing in the city's galleries, museums or palaces. We return to Monteriggioni by rail and coach for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we have transfer by coach to Livorno where we take the train to Ventimiglia, near the French border, via Genoa. In Ventimiglia we transfer to our hotel on the Cote D'Azur for one night.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We take a coach transfer to the station in Nice and travel by rail to Paris where we join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

• Breakfast
• Eurostar Meal