Fattoria Montelucci near Arezzo, Tuscany

Tuscany is a must when visiting Italy. One of Italy's most beautiful regions with its rolling hills, olive groves and forests. The cooking is a mixture of the sophisticated Florentine dishes of the Renaissance mingled with the rustic simplicity of country food. Chianti, Montepulciano and Vernaccia di San Gimignano wines have made this region adored throughout the world.

We have chosen Fattoria Montelucci, a family-run country house, set in splendid isolation high in the hills. We have exclusive use of the house and its magnificent new swimming pool with its stunning, undisturbed views of five hundred hectares of woods, olive groves and Sangiovese vineyards. The estate grows its own walnuts and almonds, Figs and persimmons and its olive oil is used extensively throughout the week.

Run as a small country house hotel at other times of the year, the Fattoria provides a cosy welcome in true Tuscan style. It has a large, fully-equipped farmhouse kitchen with an open fire and a traditional wood-fired oven. Drawing rooms open out onto a terrace, where guests can enjoy the views over a glass of wine.

The world famous wines of Chianti Classico, Rufina and Vernaccia di San Gimignano will provide us with numerous opportunities for tastings and tours of vineyards. We take a day out to visit Florence, taking you on a tour of the abundant food markets, sampling truffle Crostini at Cibreo and visiting some state of the art kitchen shops - leaving free time for lunch and shopping. There is an optional visit to the Prada factory outlet and we have an afternoon in Siena with our wonderful guide who brings this unique city alive. Other optional activities include billiards and riding, and there is no shortage of beautiful countryside for walking or mushroom hunting.