Siena, in the heart of Tuscany

This historic town is best known for its annual historic horse race, "La Palio", in which various local teams race around the town's main piazza (del Campo), with thousands packed in to witness the affair. The town itself is a historic site, although it's still a living, breathing city with 50,000 odd residents.

Rising above the Piazza del Campo is the Torre del Mangia, offering a pretty spectacular view over the city and surrounding hills, red tiled roofs contrasting with the green countryside. The city also has its "Duomo", a cathedral built with black and white marble and red domed roof.

We picnicked in the square and with obligatory gelato in hand (melting rapidly in the 30C+ heat), we headed back to the car with a view of heading out into the Chianti hills.

The regions namesake wine is a blend containing mainly sangiovese grapes, with additions of merlot and cabernet sauvignon. You can visit a local "Enotece" (En-O-Tek-ey) to sample some of the wines and also purchase - although despite a long drive through the scenic hills, we struggled to find one open and willing. Until we randomly came across this fine establishment - the wine centre of Barone Ricasoli. The company proudly displays that it has remained in the same family since the 12th century, and offered us a pretty decent wine tasting for 5 euro each - waived after we bought two bottles of the Chianti Classico.

We finished a great day by heading up to another historic stonewalled small town, San Gusme, taking up a very good recommendation for non-flashy Tuscan dining at a place called "Da Sira e Remino", the meal topped off with a generous spot of local Grappa.