The treasures of Tuscany have been a long-time lure for us Brits. For centuries this central Italian region has been a magnet for lovers of history, high art, fine food and breathtaking scenery – so popular, in fact, part of it was tagged “Chiantishire”.

With its golden rolling slopes, fortressed hilltop towns and winding roads – elegantly lined with fragrant “pencil pine” cypress trees – Tuscany’s countryside has been a glorious fleeting backdrop as tourists shuttle between the region’s jewels in the crown of Florence, Siena and Pisa to soak up its culture, spectacle, and stories of warring cities and medieval intrigue.