Experience the essence of Tuscany’s celebrated medieval towns and Renaissance cities from the historic spa town of Montecatini Terme

Your Tuscan holiday begins at London St Pancras as we join the Eurostar service to Paris. Travelling in spacious Plus class, we're served a light meal at our seats.

Changing trains in Paris, we continue our journey by First Class rail across France, passing the Italian Alps on our way to the northern city of Turin, where we spend the night. After checking in to our hotel in the heart of Turin's historic centre, we gather for a three-course dinner at a nearby restaurant.

After breakfast, your morning is free to explore the nearby attractions of Turin. The city is one of bustling modern city, but still showcases fantastic Baroque and Renaissance architecture. Fringed by the Italian Alps, Turin's wide boulevards and grand public squares are lined with enticing cafés and bars.

Shortly after midday, we walk to the railway station for our First Class journey to Florence. On arrival, we are transferred by coach to Montecatini Terme, our delightful base for the next seven nights. This picturesque spa town is set in Tuscan countryside and split into two parts. The lower town is known as Montecatini Terme, while on the hill above us is the Old Town of Montecatini Alto.

Our beautiful family-run hotel is in Montecatini Terme and has been offering guests a warm welcome for many generations. After some free time to settle in and look around the neighbourhood, we gather for dinner at our hotel, renowned for its friendly service and excellent facilities.

There's nothing like the feeling of waking up in surroundings as beautiful as Tuscany, and today you are free to see more of Montecatini Terme independently. Among the facilities at our central hotel are an inviting outdoor swimming pool (usually open from May to October) and a sun terrace for warmer days.

Heading out into the attractive town, you may wish to visit the 18th-century Terme Tettuccio, where you can sample the different healing waters and look around its lavish Liberty architecture, marble-lined pools and fountains and Art Nouveau tiles. Each year from April to October, the town hosts the Montecatini Opera Festival in various venues, including the spa complex.

The historic quarter above us, Montecatini Alto, is an enchanting place to explore, and can be reached by a funicular railway, which runs late into the evening and offers wonderful views over the valley. Here, you can find many idyllic piazzas, pretty pavement cafés and two charming Romanesque churches. Montecatini Alto also offers an excellent choice of eating places, from relaxed osterias to traditional ristorantes.

Today is a holiday highlight as we travel by rail to the Renaissance city of Florence. We enjoy a guided tour of the city's treasures, including the iconic, red-tiled Duomo, the Santa Maria Novella Church and the Ponte Vecchio, the famous 14th-century bridge.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Apart from breathtaking buildings and pretty piazzas, the city is the world capital of Renaissance art, which you can find in its many galleries, churches and Medici palaces. If you're planning to visit the Uffizi gallery it is important to book ahead. Another wonderful way to experience Florence is to stroll across the river to the Boboli gardens, a peaceful space with fantastic city views. Mercato di San Lorenzo is the city's largest market with fresh products, leather and local crafts, an indoor and outdoor dining area, and a Chianti wine booth. A place to warm up or cool down, depending on the season!

We make our return journey by train then walk the short distance to our hotel where we dine together this evening.

This morning, we travel by rail to the walled city of Lucca, where you are free to explore for two hours. There's an included option to hire a bicycle, with a choice of single, tandem, or four-seater bikes, and a gentle ride along the ancient ramparts is a wonderful way to see the city.

Lucca is also a pleasure to explore on foot, but do pick up a map at the Tourist Office where our day starts. The maze-like centre has an impressive Duomo, outdoor sculptures and striking piazzas - a 'must see' is the Piazza Anfiteatro, formerly a Roman amphitheatre. The city also has a botanical garden and a tranquil ornamental garden at Palazzo Pfanner. We regroup for a leisurely three-course lunch in a local trattoria.

This afternoon we continue by rail to Pisa, where we tour the famous Field of Miracles. Here, we see the iconic Leaning Tower and Romanesque Duomo - a cathedral which glows with white marble. We return to Montecatini Terme by train at the end of the afternoon, where you are free to dine independently.

Today begins with a coach excursion into the Tuscan countryside, among ochre-coloured hills, dotted with cypresses and secluded farmhouses.

Our destination is San Gimignano - an extraordinary medieval hill town known for its many towers, one of which - Torre Grossa - can be climbed. The number of towers in San Gimignano has dwindled from around 65 in the Middle Ages, but the skyline is so unique that it has been dubbed the 'Medieval Manhattan'. We have free time over lunch and into the afternoon to explore this absolute gem of a Tuscan town.

Later this afternoon, we visit the gorgeous Tenuta Torciano, a refined estate near San Gimignano that has been in the same family since it was built in 1720. Here, we tour the vineyards, surrounded by quintessential Tuscan landscapes, learning about centuries of winemaking. After, we enjoy a holiday highlight as we indulge in dinner paired with wines made on the estate.

There's another opportunity to get to know Montecatini Terme at your own pace.

If you haven't already discovered it, you could visit Montecatini Alto, the medieval old town. Here, you can admire views across the Tuscan hills and wander among the ancient townhouses, churches and medieval walls before choosing a café in which to enjoy lunch. Typical Tuscan cuisine is humble yet mouth-watering, even simple dishes are prepared with pride and great care. Try crostini di fegato, warm bread topped with chicken liver pate, or pasta drizzled with olive oil and shaved truffles, foraged from the surrounding hillsides. Another appealing option is to make the most of the frequent rail service to visit the coastal resort of Viareggio (50 minutes), the city of Bologna (two hours), or possibly to revisit Florence or Lucca. Of course, you may be content to simply relax and enjoy the facilities of our hotel.

For dinner this evening you are spoilt for choice for places to eat, in both Montecatini Alto or the town centre.

Another highlight of your holiday awaits today as we drive to medieval Siena, where a labyrinth of narrow streets opens out onto sun-kissed piazzas.

Starting at the Santa Barbara Fortress, our guided tour takes us past the Duomo, one of Italy's most magnificent churches, with statues by Donatello and Michelangelo and an elaborate mosaic floor. Our tour ends at the city's most famous sight, the incredible Piazza del Campo - a grand, shell-shaped piazza that's regarded as one of the continent's most beautiful medieval squares. This is the site of the world-famous Palio horse races, an extraordinary event which the city has celebrated since the 17th century, now held twice a year in July and August. After our tour, there's time to wander Siena's ancient streets independently, and you may like to try some of the cured meats and cheeses that are popular here, including Pecorino, or finocchiona.

We return to our hotel at the end of the afternoon and this evening we gather for a farewell dinner to mark our final night in wonderful Tuscany.

Bidding farewell to Montecatini Terme after an early breakfast this morning, we transfer by coach to the coastal town of Viareggio. Our journey continues by First Class rail journey along the stunning Ligurian coastline, passing the pastel-coloured houses of the Cinque Terre and enjoying ever-changing scenery as we travel towards Ventimiglia, close to the French border.

On arrival in the border town of Ventimiglia, we continue by coach into France, driving along the French Riviera to the stunning Côte d'Azur. We spend the night in the town of Saint-Raphaël, overlooked by the striking coastal mountain range known as the Esterel Massif.

After checking in to our hotel there's time to look around this attractive seafront town before gathering for a final dinner with fellow travellers.

The many delights of Tuscany have been explored from our base in the elegant spa town of Montecatini Terme. On this holiday, we have uncovered the wondrous art and architecture of Florence and Lucca, the unique hilltop town of San Gimignano and magical Siena.

After breakfast, we begin our journey home from the Côte d'Azur, travelling by First Class rail to Paris. In the French capital, we board the Eurostar in Plus class, enjoying a light meal at our seats before arriving back at London St Pancras, where your Tuscan holiday concludes.

Our Classic range is what we're known for. Enjoy curated moments with plenty of inclusions. Centrally located hotels, premium travel options and engaging group tours with a seasoned expert are included. You'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. *Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.

Step aboard the high-speed international rail service, linking London St Pancras to Paris and Lille in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Eurostar's Standard Class coaches feature two seats on either side of the central aisle, most of which are arranged in an 'airline' seating configuration with drop-down tray tables. There are two tables for four per carriage. Passengers travelling in Eurostar Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet which sells a range of snacks, meals, and hot and cold drinks - including Champagne!

The highest class of Eurostar travel available for leisure customers is Plus class. In your dedicated Plus carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. As part of the service, you'll enjoy complimentary drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.

For the class of travel used on your chosen tour, please refer to the 'What's Included' section of the tour page.

With a smart and futuristic appearance, and sleek interiors, the Frecciargento can zip you across the magnificent colours and landscapes of Italy in a matter of hours. In English, its title means Silver Arrow and this fine locomotive can travel up to speeds of around 160 mph on certain routes.

Originally known as the Italian Eurostar, the Frecciargento forms part of Le Frecce, a series of high speed trains operating up and down the country. These trains are operated by the Trenitalia company, and were originally introduced in 1997 as the Eurostar. By 2012, the Italian Eurostar trains were changed into different categories, with Frecciarossa being the fastest and Frecciargento being the second fastest. Each Frecciargento train offers First and Standard Class along with a restaurant for comfortable dining.

Italy's fastest train, the Frecciarossa runs up to a top speed of 190mph and offers a slick and punctual service up and down Italy. Translating to the Red Arrow in English, the Frecciarossa is Trenitalia's premier rail service, offering four different classes - each one providing comfortable seats, air-conditioning and superb staff who are helpful and professional.

Originally known as the Italian Eurostar, the Frecciarossa forms part of Le Frecce, a series of national high speed trains. These trains are operated by Trenitalia, and were originally introduce in 1997 as the Eurostar. By 2012, the Italian Eurostar trains were changed into different categories, with Frecciarossa the fastest, Frecciargento the second fastest, and Frecciablanco, the least fast. The Frecciarossa offers Executive, Business, Premium and Standard Class and a well-stocked restaurant car.

Introduced in 1981, France's TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) was the original European high-speed train. Linking Paris with Lyon, the new service revolutionised train travel and meant that travelling by air over medium and short distances was no longer seen as the best option, even for business travel.

The network has expanded rapidly and today these sleek, stylish trains offer links to over 60 destinations throughout France. Operated by SNCF, the French national rail operator, TGV trains travel over specially constructed high-speed lines. The trains can achieve speeds of up to 186mph (300km/h) on most long-distance routes and 200mph (320km/h) on the new TGV Est line, which links Paris with Strasbourg, Luxembourg and Basel. With the exception of shorter journeys, TGVs almost always have an on-board buffet car, serving a selection of drinks and light refreshments.

Connecting the romantic splendour of Italy, crisscrossing its way through Renaissance cities, along golden coastline and around ancient volcanoes, Trenitalia is Italy's superb rail network. Featuring an excellent fleet of well-maintained and modern trains, this rail company is owned by Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, which is run by the Italian government. Operating regional and national services, Trenitalia prides itself on its punctuality and the huge range of services provided by the operator, several of these which include railways such as the Frecciarossia, the Frecciargento and the Frecciblanco services.

Italy by rail is simply stunning. From the flowing green hills and elegant cities of the north, to the Mediterranean climes and the enchanting beaches of the south, an Italian rail journey is not only one of the easiest ways to travel, but is also one of the most panoramic and beautiful. Circumnavigating the magnificent Mt Etna, gliding down the Amalfi Coast, entering the stunning Milan railway station, these are all experiences which are hugely enhanced from the comfort of an air-conditioned Trenitalia carriage.

This traditional Liberty-style 4-Star hotel in the heart of Montecatini Terme has been owned and run by the same family for four generations. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool (usually open from May-October) and a sun terrace for warmer days. There are plenty of areas in which to relax, from the delightful front terrace and elegant lounge, decorated with rich tapestries and drapes, to the contemporary bar. The air-conditioned guest rooms are individually decorated in a classical style. All are equipped by free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, safe, minibar, complimentary toiletries and hairdryer.

Upgrades to Twin/Double Deluxe Premium rooms at Grand Hotel Francia & Quirinale are available from £230pp.

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.

Enjoy hassle-free travel with our return door-to-door luggage transfer service from only £199 per bag.

The service includes one 20kg bag per person which will be collected from your home before you depart and will be ready and waiting for you at your first destination hotel. Your bag will also be delivered back to your home address on your return.

If your tour involves an overnight stay enroute, you'll need to travel with an overnight bag as your luggage will be delivered direct to your first destination hotel. The luggage service is not available where you are flying to or from your destination and you will need to take your own luggage with you on the flight.