A Day in Volterra and San Gimignano (8 Hours)

Towers, alabaster and vestiges of the golden age

Meet your English-speaking driver at your Florence hotel and depart for a memorable day spent discovering two of Tuscany’s most fascinating historical towns: mysterious Volterra and tower-crowned San Gimignano. Travel through the countryside and reach Volterra, somewhat off-the-beaten-track this is no doubt Tuscany’s most bewitching town. Inhabited since the Iron Age, the town dates back over 3000 years and offers visitors an authentic journey into its rich, eventful history thanks to the exceptionally well-preserved remnants of each historic/artistic period. Meet your dedicated English-speaking guide and set off to explore, learning all about the ancient “Velathri” (later transformed into Volterrae by the Romans), and how it became one of the most powerful and important towns of the Etruscan Confederation. It’s strategic location and unique natural resource, alabaster, were its assets. Ever since ancient times, in fact, Volterra’s main commercial activity was the extraction of alabaster, the only translucent mineral existing in nature. This marvelous, somewhat magical stone was and is still today, used to create beautiful works of art including sculptures, jewelry, and other objects of all kinds. During the morning discover the grand Etruscan walls and imposing Porta all’Arco which embrace the town center, and stroll through the delightful main town center, tightly enveloped in a second set of walls, which boasts a perfectly maintained Medieval structure. Savor Volterra’s unique ancient atmosphere in its intriguing tiny streets and alleys and visit the main landmarks and sites: Palazzo dei Priori, Vallebuona and the Etruscan Acropolis. Discover marble-paved churches, imposing palaces, Medieval tower-houses, and the Fortezza, built by the Medici family. Crown your morning with a luscious lunch accompanied by excellent wines in one of the town’s trattorias, and after lunch set off once more for a scenic drive to San Gimignano. Enjoy some time at leisure in the “town of the 100 towers” roaming the pretty cobblestone-paved streets and browsing the quaint shops filled with unique local products: delicious Vernaccia white wine, Italian ceramics, and home linens.