Villatent at Camping Colleverde

If you’re lucky enough to be visiting in July and August, downtown Siena is closed off for the Palio di Siena, an iconic horse race held in the Piazza del Campo and a real bucket list experience. San Gimignano (45 minutes’ drive) is another medieval location… up in the hills, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is circled by 13th-century walls, and a fine family activity is to tick off all the towers (or for you adults, finding somewhere splendid to sip on the white wine sourced from the surrounding hills). Lucca (an hour and 30 minutes) is another walled city – feel free to cycle or walk along the 16th and 17th-century ramparts, as they have wide paths. Volterra (55 minutes) is a walled town with a cathedral, archaeological museum and a Roman theatre with ancient baths. Leonardo Da Vinci was born in Vinci (an hour and 15 minutes), and gave it much of its fame, but visiting the museum dedicated to his life is an excellent way to get to know his life better (many of his paintings are stored here too).