Walk & Discover: Florence & Tuscany

Tuscany embodies the very essence of Italy - centuries of heritage, exquisite art and architecture, beautiful scenery, an enviable climate, great food and wine - and so much more. Florence, together with lesser-known gems such as Lucca and San Gimignano, offer perfectly preserved architecture and artistic treasures.

Arguably the finest city of the Renaissance, Florence owes its great riches to the commercial boom that emerged after the Dark Ages. Political power at the time was in the hands of just a few families, in particular the Medicis, who married into most European royal families, including our own. Architects, artists and sculptors flocked to the city to be engaged by nouveau riche patrons. Gradually grand residences, churches and palaces were filled to bursting point with magnificent works of art.

You'll also experience extraordinary San Gimignano, a superbly preserved enclave famous for its immense stone towers and dramatic skyline. Siena is another wonderful Tuscan city on our tour, guarded behind impressive walls. At its heart is Piazza del Campo, one of Europe's most attractive squares.

Then there's Lucca, one of Italy's most graceful towns, with a historic quarter nestling inside outstandingly preserved Renaissance walls. To the south of Lucca is Pisa, a city famed around the world for a tower that seems to defy gravity, yet it has so much more to offer. Wander a little way from the Square of Miracles and you discover the city's maze of tiny streets and intimate piazzas.

The Tuscan countryside really is picture-postcard Italy and a rambler's dream. Gently undulating biscuit-coloured hills often covered with vineyards flow and disappear into the distance, inviting further discovery. Punctuated by isolated farmhouses, unchanged for centuries, and studded by tall cypress trees, this beautiful landscape yields a rich harvest of food and wine.

The local cuisine is simple and uses the finest local ingredients. Thick soups, grilled meats, fresh vegetables, pecorino cheese, olive oil, garlic and herbs are all part of the typical Tuscan table. To complement the food, Tuscany also produces some of Italy's best-known wines, such as Brunello di Montalcino, Vin Santo and, of course, Chianti.

Embodying the excitement and romance of Italy, Tuscany is stylish, justifiably proud of its heritage, vibrant, expressive-?¦ and absolutely unforgettable.