This morning, we say good-bye to our friends at Gargonza, and make our way 40 minutes west to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Siena, primed for our visit with a lecture from Tim. This glorious medieval center is one of the loveliest in Italy, never mind Tuscany, and a long-time historical and artistic rival to Florence. Its soft red brick and easy-going air are in marked contrast to the stone and grandeur of Florence: we’ll be interested to hear your views – and preferences – when it comes to these two great cities.

It’s a joy simply to wander Siena’s streets, with Roman, medieval, and Renaissance interest at every turn, along with great shopping, but we’ll make a special point of visiting the Duomo, famed for its majestic façade and art-filled interior, and the immense Campo, Siena’s main square, the setting for its world-famous Palio, or horse-race.

Arrive this evening at our final destination and home for the next two nights, the five-Star Il Salviatino, a 14th- century beautifully restored villa folded into  Tuscany’s pastoral rolling hills, with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and the city of Florence. This is the perfect place to take a final vacation from your vacation before heading home.

Il Salviatino (B, D)