Wander the medieval streets of Lucca or visit the 5 stunning coastal towns of the Cinque Terre. Witness the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Enjoy Tuscan culinary delights while sipping Chianti Classico. In San Gimignano - view the striking skyline with its 800-year-old towers.

Day 1 Florence Embrace the charisma and colour of Florence from the moment you arrive at the airport. Alive with culture, art, theatre, fantastic food and first class shopping, it is the capital of the Tuscan region and an ideal base for the next two nights. Head to the hotel at your leisure to relax and recover from your flight, before meeting the group over the first of many delicious dinners. (D)

Day 2 Florence Savour an Italian cappuccino over breakfast before embarking on a fascinating walking tour of Florence, Italy's outdoor museum. Marvel at the Ponte Vecchio, the beautiful bridge spanning the River Arno. Visit the Uffizi Art Gallery, with its showcase collection bequeathed to the people of Florence by the Medici family, and lose yourself amid masterpieces by some of the greatest artists who have ever lived including Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Rembrandt. Choose from one of Florence's many fabulous restaurants for a private dinner. (B)

Day 3 Lucca Yesterday's introduction will have whet the appetite for further adventures in Florence, so spend the morning visiting your favourite personal attractions - tour the landmark 3rd-century cathedral, scour the elegant shops or simply sit back and soak up the atmosphere over coffee in the Piazza del Duomo. Enjoy the picturesque drive to Lucca after lunch, an enchanting base for the next two nights. Try climbing the 207 steps of the Torre dell Ore, a 13th-century clock tower, and the 230 challenging steps to the Tower of the Palazzo Guinigi, or enjoy a more leisurely stroll around the town's renaissance walls. (B/D)

Day 4 LuccaEase into things with a relaxing day wandering the medieval streets of Lucca, or set out to explore the steep coastline and the five captivating villages that make up the Cinque Terre, back-dropped by breathtaking sea views. View the villages from the famous walking track through the National Park, or visit them via boat or train and discover the secrets of this stunning UNESCO World Heritage site. (B)

Day 5 Pisa, VolterraFirst today an international icon - the extraordinary Leaning Tower of Pisa. Then take in the rural romance and timeless beauty of the Tuscan countryside on the way to Volterra, a magnificent medieval town perched high on a rocky plateau. You might want to visit the famous Guarnacci museum with its fascinating collection of Etruscan artefacts. (B/D)

Day 6 Volterra Relax and soak up the traditional ambience of Volterra with a cappuccino in the central Piazza dei Priori. Then the grandeur of the Tuscan countryside will continue as we go first to medieval Siena with its breathtaking array of majestic buildings and its famous cathedral. Immerse yourself in the full flavour of Italian cuisine, courtesy of Siena's abundance of pavement cafes and great eateries. Then on to one of Italy's most beautiful villages, San Gimignano, with its striking skyline of 800-year-old towers, which evokes images of medieval Tuscany better than anywhere else in the province. Spend some time wandering its cobbled streets before returning to Volterra. (B)

Day 7 Volterra Today there will be time to take in more of the local area. Your guide will offer some advice as to what options are available. Perhaps you would just like to wander through the streets of Volterra, enjoying the local cuisine and shopping, or alternatively there will be an opportunity to explore the coastline of Tuscany with your guide, with time to relax on the beach. (B/D)

Day 8 Florence Watch the rolling hills adorned with vineyards and olive groves glide past on the way to Chianti, a region that produces some of the country's best-known wines, including the famous Chianti Classico. Explore the culinary delights of the area at your leisure before we return to Florence by mid-afternoon. (B)