January and February in Tuscany are often rather bleak with the Easter celebrations of March and April kick starting things back to life after hibernation.

Things start to warm up around May and June and present a good time to visit Tuscany if you’re looking to walk, cycle or go sightseeing without the crowds and the heat of high summer.

July and August can be stifling so best advice is to head for the coast or find a shaded river bank for a picnic before enjoying an evening of grilled Tuscan sausages and a glass of Chianti as you keep an eye out for shooting stars and fire flies.

September is the best time to visit Tuscany once the kids have gone back to school and the weather’s still warm, and even October offers a milder alternative to northern Europe although there may be more showers, and coastal resorts will have closed for the winter.

The autumnal foliage from mid-October to mid-November is an explosion of fiery reds and warm ambers with vineyards, beech and chestnut trees changing colour and dropping leaves on top of snow white bulbous mushrooms.

December in Tuscany is geared up for Natale with churches offering seasonal services and processions whilst shops, piazzas and markets are alive with hand-painted baubles, decorated trees and boxed panettone whilst swirls of freshly roasted chestnuts fill the air.