Creative Commons licensePhoto by flickr user -Chiotas-

In terms of places to stay, Tuscany is the richest region of Italy. When choosing accommodation, you have to decide between town and country, or go for a mix of the two. You can book anything from a frescoed boudoir in a grand palazzo to a modest room in a B&B in Tuscany's towns and cities; bear in mind that these tend to stay open all year while many country places close in the winter. If you are travelling without a car, a town-based holiday is probably advisable.

Written by Nicky Swallow