Spend time in Tuscany

1. Florence (2 to 3 days): the Duomo, the Uffizi and the Accademia. Book timed tickets ahead.
2. Chianti or Val d'Orcia (3 to 4 days): stay on a farm (agriturismo), visit wineries, and explore Siena, Montepulciano, Pienza and Montalcino.
3. Extras: Lucca's city walls by bike, San Gimignano's towers early or late in the day, or the Tuscan coast.

Fly into Florence (FLR) or Pisa (PSA), or take the train from Rome or Milan. Trains and buses connect the big towns, but a hire car makes the countryside much easier. Be careful of ZTL zones, the limited-traffic areas in historic centres, where cameras fine unauthorised cars automatically.

• $ to $$: hostels and trattorias: about €70 to €120 a day
• $$$: agriturismo stays, wine tastings and a shared hire car: about €150 to €280 a day
• $$$$ to $$$$$: villas and wine-estate hotels: €400+ a day

Florence, Siena and other towns add a nightly tourist tax per person.

• Many wineries need a booking, even for a simple tasting. If you're tasting, pick a designated driver or book a driver-guide.
• Lunch is the big meal in the countryside, and many restaurants close between about 2:30 and 7 p.m.
• Cooking classes are a great shared activity for travel buddies.