Tailormade tour Tuscany to the Alban Hills near Rome fly-drive tour Italy

After arriving in Pisa and collecting your hire car, spend a few hours in the city, taking in the famous historical sights – namely, the Torre Pendente, or ‘leaning tower.’ Aside from the iconic image, Pisa has a lot to offer in the way of culture and history. Take time to visit the Duomo, which dates back to 1064, and the triple-spired Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina, or explore the Museo Nazionale di San Matteo and its vast collection of medieval artworks. This list is, of course, merely scratching the surface of the inspiring opportunities available in Pisa. From here, begin the drive to Panzano in Chianti, and the Villa le Barone, which will be your hotel for the next three nights. During your stay, we recommend beginning your exploration of the immediate surrounding area on foot or on bike. On your rambles enjoy wine-tastings and tours at local Chianti Classico vineyards. In Panzano specifically you will find a number of establishments open for wine-tasting experiences and vineyard tours. The Accademia del Buon Gusto, for example, is an independent business with a very friendly and accommodating local host offering tastings of wine, olive oil, and even truffled chocolate sauce. The Fattoria Montagliari is best known for its balsamic vinegar, though its wine is also excellent. Or head out into the countryside to villa Vafaggio for a vineyard tour that culminates in a tasting session. A key aspect of your hotel is its convenient location, situated halfway between the cultural city of Florence, and its former rival, Siena. Spend the best part of a day exploring Florence. From the architectural brilliance of the Duomo, the baptistery, the numerous churches and the monastery, which houses a fine selection of Florentine paintings, to Michelangelo’s ‘David,’ now on display in the Accademia, the sights available in Florence are world renowned. If you are spending an evening in Florence, have dinner at the Enoteca Pinchiorri, a double Michelin-starred restaurant serving traditional and experimental Florentine cuisine. Siena, however, is less well-known than Florence, though it remains on a par in terms of outstanding historical monuments and atmosphere. The most impressive spectacle is the incomplete extension to the Duomo di Siena, which was originally commissioned in response to Florence’s own expansion. All that remains is a free-standing archway at the front of the Piazza del Duomo, which would have been the cathedral’s interior, and still has the colourfully tiled floor. On the 2nd of July and 16th August, the Piazza del Campo plays host to a riotous, but atmospheric, medieval tradition. A horseman from each of the 17 districts competes in a horserace around the semi-circular piazza. Nearby San Gimignano is another testament to Italian aspiration. Like Siena, San Gimignano remains incomplete, with the only evidence of its earlier dreams being the many looming towers that rise out of the village squares. Perhaps also take a brief trip into Volterra, a brooding village of tall buildings and exceptionally narrow streets, known for its austere beauty and charm. Many other Chianti villages are within driving distance; such as Certaldo, Colle di Val d’Elsa, with its imposing fortified façade and former moat and drawbridge, and Monteriggioni, a small hilltop hamlet still encased in its original walls, and surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. Of an evening retire to your ivy-covered hotel to indulge in traditional Chianti foods and your luxurious room.

From Panzano, remain in Chianti country but drive on to Loro Ciuffenna, a village that clusters around the gorge of a rocky river, and your hotel, Relais Villa Belpoggio. Loro Ciuffenna was voted one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, and wandering along its irregular streets, it is easy to see why. Cross over the mediaeval single-arched bridge over the ravine, and seek out the two remaining original castle gates, one of which is now the clock tower. Look around the Church of Santa Maria Assunta to see the 14th and 15th century frescoes. Or, drive three minutes out of Loro Ciuffenna to see the Pieve de Gropina, reputed to be the most beautiful Pieve (church with the right to baptise) in Tuscany. Arrange your visit with a tour guide to ensure you can visit the haunting underground Romanesque tombs. One of the crowning glories of Loro Ciuffenna, however, is the lesser-known Mulino ad Acqua, a beautiful old watermill at the bottom of the village. As pretty as something out of a fairy-tale, this mill really captures the spirit of the old village. Drive no more than 45 minutes south to Arezzo and its neighbouring villages, where the Valdarno Valley meets its three neighbours, to see one of Tuscany’s most illustrious areas. Arezzo’s history in gold has made it one of the wealthiest Tuscan towns, and is therefore a centre point for the exploration of magnificent architecture. At the mediaeval Piazza Grande you can sit beside the impressive façade of the Santa Maria della Pieve, with its large bell tower and quadruple layers of grand arches, watching the artists at work in the square and sipping an Italian coffee. Twice a year, this square hosts a large jousting competition, with an atmosphere much like the horserace in Siena, accompanied by costumed parades, numerous competitions and a wealth of exuberant celebrations. Arezzo’s compact layout means that all points of interest can be visited in just a single day, from the mediaeval fortress, the Roman Amphitheatre, and the Church of San Francesco, to the wooden crucifix in the Church of San Domenico. The Duomo San Donato is adorned with original stained glass dating back to mediaeval times. The Duomo itself is an imposing building, grand despite its minimalist exterior detail, with a warm regal charm that suits the Arezzo style. For wine-tasting opportunities, head out into the neighbouring villages. The Villa la Ripa, for example, is a grand private home, surrounded by vineyards that fuel the independent, family business. The Villa offers vineyard tours, tasting sessions, and an opportunity to pick up some aromatic Tuscan souvenirs. To further escape the tourist spots, head into Cortona, Aghiari, or Monterchi on the hunt for the local goat’s cheese or Florentine steak. During your stay here you will have a cookery lesson at the Villa Belpoggio with the chef. Pasta-making is usually on offer.

Continue south on your seventh day, out of hilly Tuscany and onto the jagged volcanic landscape of Orvieto in southwestern Umbria. Orvieto is a surreal settlement that seems to merge with its surrounding landscape, as vertical rocky walls become the walls of the picturesque village houses and the cathedral rises from the centre like a mountain peak. With limited time in Orvieto, it is essential to take a tour of the famous underground city. An ancient network forgotten about until its recent rediscovery, the underground city is comprised of over 1200 caves, as well as wells, rooms, and the remains of an old mill and animal enclosures. Descend into Il Labirinto di Adriano to navigate a smaller network that existed underneath a popular pastry shop and explore the private museum. Above ground, Orvieto has its own beautiful cathedral; much more ornate than the Duomo in Arezzo and with a colourful façade. Or visit the Torre del Moro clock tower, the Etruscan Temple of Belvedere and the necropolis, or the Palazzo del Popolo. Just south of the town are the gardens of Sacro Bosco at Bomarzo, a wooded park with a collection of intriguing and eccentric stone sculptures which date from the 16th century. Your hotel for the night is the elegant Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini, once a noble palace. An alternative is to stay in the Umbrian wine village of Torgiano.

En-route from Orvieto to the Alban Hills, it’s worth making a very slight detour to visit Tivoli where you will find both the villa of the Emperor Hadrian and the grand Villa d’Este, renowned for its magnificent gardens. Your final stay is near Frascati. Taste the delicate local white wines at nearby wineries, go walking in the Alban Hills where charming towns and villages are scattered throughout, or visit the coastal city of Anzio, known as being a landing site during World War II. Also within easy reach are two spectacular yet vastly different gardens – the Giardini della Landriana, an unusual garden which is a mass of colour from April to October, combining luxurious English planting and formal Italian structure; and the Giardino di Ninfa, an amazingly special place with a fantastic collection of plants from all over the world, all of which flourish in the idyllic site. Frascati is one of the hilltop villages that makes up the Castelli Romani, famed for their popularity with Romans seeking fresh air and a break from the city. The most impressive building in Frascati is the Villa Aldobrandini, a palace that seems to dominate the town built for a nephew of the Pope. The main attraction of the town, however, is its relaxed atmosphere and excellent cuisine. The 23rd of June, for example, is the date of the Sagra della Lumaca, an outdoors feast of snails, and in October, Frascati holds the Sagra del Vino, the local wine festival. Another notable residence and gardens to visit is that of the Pope at Castel Gandolfo.

Depending on the time of your flight back from Rome Fiumicino, there may be time for a visit before returning your hire-car to the airport and the flight back to London.