Tuscan Escape (Winter)

If you reverse the Italian word for Rome (Roma), you get Amor (love)… and we're all set to fall in love with this ancient Italian capital the moment we set foot in it. ‘Ciao' your new Contiki pals and we'll hop on our coach.

Next we'll cross the River Tiber to taste our way through Trastevere on a guided foodie walking tour, sampling pizza, gelato, wine and more in this bohemian district known for trattorias, pubs and artisan shops. Full of our first introductions to Italian life, we'll join the locals for a passeggiata (promenade) to stroll off a few of the carbs before a satisfied slumber tonight. Stay: Hotel St. Martin (or similar)

Sorry Rome, we'd love to linger but there are so many more experiences to soak up! But first, we have an epic, included MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience to enjoy. Casale Polegri is set within the gorgeous town of Baschi, where we'll meet the Polegri family. These guys have run their vineyard and olive orchard for generations, and after giving us the grand tour, will serve us lunch under the Veranda. As we overlook the Tiber Valley, enjoying some of the most authentic Italian food we've ever tasted (topped off with the Polegri's very own wine, naturally), we might reflect that we've never had it so good. It's the kind of local travel experience you don't encounter every day (you're welcome).

The day is still unfolding and we've already done so much! After arriving at our accommodation in Siena there'll be time to explore what is possibly Italy's most beautiful medieval city. The historic center has been declared a UNESCO world heritage site and its heart is the Piazza del Campo, the sweeping central square that hosts the world-famous Palio horse race. We'll settle in here for the night, ready for more adventures tomorrow.

This evening we have the chance to savor a dinner of pizza, in a typical Sienese restaurant. (B/L) Stay: Hotel Borgo di Cortefreda (or similar)

Bathed in the golden glow of the Tuscan sun, there's no better way to uncover this historical region than by tasting it. Today we'll hop on our bikes to ride from Gaiole to a local vineyard where we'll discover for ourselves this rich ruby red tipple the locals have been perfecting here for centuries followed by a visit to a local butchers to sample meat and cheeses.

Another place famous for its wine, next we head to the enchanting hilltop town of San Gimignano. Known as the Town of Fine Towers, it's yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its medieval architecture & sweeping views of the entire Chianti valley. Once you've stopped staring there'll be free time to explore, have dinner and, hey why not, maybe another glass of wine? (B)

Our destination today is home to red roofs, Renaissance architecture and rustic cuisine. Florence is often referred to as a 'walking museum', and today we'll find out why. With a locally guided walking tour, we'll explore the city on foot, swooning at Giotto's Bell Tower and the remarkable architectural feat that is the Duomo, pausing at the stalls and jewellry shops on the Ponte Vecchio and posing for a selfie with the replica statue of David (fig leaf and all).

This afternoon we'll have the chance to get involved with local handicrafts at a leather craft demonstration, part of Florence's artisan history, learning about this ancient tradition from a master craftsman and using the opportunity to customize your own leather accessory.

Later there'll be free time for more sightseeing, shopping or food, and meat-eaters won't want to miss the chance to sample a Bistecca Fiorentina, a Tuscan specialty. Before we leave the city today don't forget to touch the nose of ‘Il Porcellino', the bronze boar in Piazza del Mercato, the traditional way to make sure you return to Florence! (B)

We can't be in this part of the world without a sneaky visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Depriving you of the chance to perfect the ‘holding-up-the-tower' shot would be criminal. Our visit includes a locally guided tour. We'll make a quick stop in Lucca, with its charming piazzas, Renaissance architecture and historic cafes. Explore the well-preserved 16th century walls surrounding the historic center and cobbled streets with a gelato in hand. You can choose to sample wines at the local vineyards here. (B)

Somehow Umbria feels even more authentically Italy than anywhere else we've been so far. A little less explored than Tuscany and still dotted with fairytale towns, we can see why Umbria is known as Italy's ‘green heart'. We'll visit its capital Perugia, where fine old buildings perch on the beautiful hilltop. Plus, a top tip - instead of wine, Perugia has become famous for chocolate.

We'll stop for lunch at a traditional Olive Oil mill (where the traditional hospitality is sure to knock your socks off!) Further south you can choose to find some dinner in Montalcino, another beautiful historic town known for – you guessed it – the production of delicious red wine. Don't go knocking this one back too easily though, thanks to its individual grape variety, Brunello di Montalcino is one of Italy's priciest wines... (B)

It's said that all roads lead to Rome and that's where we're headed back to today. Has it really only been a week since we last set foot in the Eternal city? Back in modern day Rome this afternoon, it's time to say our sad goodbyes – or ‘Arrivederci' - until we meet again on our next adventure. How does a reunion in Greece sound? (B)