It’s no secret that Tuscany is a hidden gem in the Italian countryside. From its world-famous Renaissance art and architecture, to its famed vineyards and local produce, there’s so much to uncover at your leisure.

Even for a long weekend or fleeting three-day trip, you can still enjoy all the richness of the region, best enjoyed from the comfort of your own private Italian villa rental.

For a whirlwind tour of Tuscany, here’s a rough guide to see you through the best bits.

As you familiarise yourself with your new surroundings and make the most of your Tuscan villa, ease yourself in to the Italian way of life by visiting a local town to get under its skin. San Gimignano is breathtakingly beautiful, whilst Lucca’s medieval charms will have you under its spell. But you never have to venture too far to find a piazza and café for a true flavour of authentic Italy. Do as the locals and watch the world go by, walk through cobbled streets, and have an espresso or two – it’s these simple pleasures that ‘La Dolce Vita’ is all about.

Most luxury villa rentals have outdoor pools and vast acres of space, allowing you to make the most of the glorious weather, particularly in the summer.

Day two belongs to the rolling hills of Tuscany, as you take a road trip through the quaint and charming villages resembling mini artworks in their own right. Drive towards Saturnia, stopping at wineries along the way and stopping for an occasional photo, it’s hard to resist being so very picturesque. When you reach your final destination, be sure to find the free outdoor baths heated by a volcano, it’s quite the experience!

As you drive back, up along the magnificent coastline, be sure to detour via Pisa. It’s impossible to come here and not scale the Leaning Tower – a landmark demanding a selfie or two. Be sure to also sample the local delights, by which we mean gelato! Moorishly good, you can be excused for stocking up on local wine, olives and ice-cream to bring back to your local villa rental.

Before your trip comes to an end, there’s one more stop on your Tuscany to-do list, and that’s Florence.

It’s hard not to be awestruck by Michelangelo’s David at the Academia Gallery, along with other magnificent artworks and statues.

Part of the charm of Florence is just walking around and letting yourself go with the flow. However if you’re keen to tick-off the main attractions be sure to head to Uffizi Gallery to see authentic Raphael and Da Vinci artworks, as well as the unmissable Ponte Vecchio bridge, dating back to the 12th century.

Florence, like most of Italy, does good pizza. In keeping with the authentic Napoli way of cooking, the locals here keep a thin crust using a wood-fire oven. The ‘Pizza Man’ chain is a great place to swing by in a hurry, dotted all over town. Or, for the real deal, Da Gherardo near San Frediano church uses fresh local ingredients that will have you ordering seconds to bring back to your villa rental.

Finally, it’s time to work off all that pizza and enjoy a work out as you climb Giotto’s Campanile towering over the city.

If you’re planning a visit to Tuscany, visit Global Luxury Villas for some of the best luxury villas in the region.