Take off the beaten tracks as you journey through gently rolling landscapes of vine-clad and olive grove hills topped with castles and abbeys to Chianti countryside. Along the way stop at either the American War Memorial or a terracotta workshop to see great craftsmen at work as they mould huge pieces of clay into grand and imposing pots!

Our next stop will be a renowned Chianti producer for a cellar tour and wine-tasting (additional charge)

Spend the afternoon exploring the World Heritage site of San Gimignano. As symbols of wealth and power, there were once 72 towers rising above the rooftops. There are fewer nowadays, but the 14 remaining are still impressive in the misty distance, forming an unforgettable skyline in the heart of an Etruscan landscape. The town is renowned for its white Vernaccia wine and saffron which was cultivated here in the Middle Ages. Certainly not to miss is a visit to the Gelateria di Piazza, where Sergio Dondoli creates award-winning gelato with flavours including Vernaccia wine sorbet!