Florence Day Trip to Volterra and San Gimignano

It's a pleasant hour's drive through Tuscan hills to the ancient town of Volterra. Volterra sits on a high plateau offering uninterrupted views of the surrounding hills and boasting over 3,500 years of history. It was one of the most important Etruscan cities from 4-6 century BC and is rich in archeological remains, both Etruscan and Roman. The Etruscans built a 7km ring of walls around the city and as you enter the original Etruscan gate, the Porta all'Arco, you will feel you are stepping back in time as you wander the narrow medieval streets and piazzas. Volterra has always exploited its strategic location as well as its numerous natural resources in the land such as salt, alabaster and copper and today it is still an important centre for the production of alabaster. Volterra has 3 museums of considerable artistic and historical value with the Guarnacci Museum holding one of the most important displays of Etruscan antiquities in existence.

In the afternoon we'll enjoy a stroll around the medieval tower topped town of San Gimignano, another of Italy's great World Heritage sites, with time to explore the delightful cobbled streets and piazzas. The town is renowned for its white Vernaccia di San Gimignano wine and has also reintroduced the farming of saffron which was cultivated here in the Middle Ages as an important part of the city’s economy. Certainly not to miss is a visit to the Gelateria di Piazza, where Sergio Dondoli creates award-winning gelato with flavours including Vernaccia wine sorbet!