TOUR DESCRIPTION

With your Tuscany daily Tour Florence to Volterra and San Gimignano you will discover one of the most interesting areas to visit in Tuscany.

After picking you up at your accommodation in Florence or Tuscany we will be driving through one of the most spectacular panoramic drive between the Volterra clay hills where quarries of alabaster are hidden.

Volterra is situated on a hill that is difficult to access and protected by mighty walls built since the Etruscan era a millennium BC and you will discover the presence of the different history layers. The ancient  town of Volterra in fact, was a Neolithic settlement,  since at least the end of the 8th century BC, and an important Etruscan center with an original civilization. It became an independent town during the Roman Age. The partial independence from Rome was maintained even when Volterra was forced to recognize its supremacy: its Loyalty was rewarded and the people of Volterra obtained Roman citizenship that granted a period of prosperity and urban growth as evidenced by the construction of the Roman theater that you can explore in the Roman Archeological area.

The city had a great development thanks to the exploitation of copper and silver mines located in the vicinity, as well as minerals in the territory of Volterra is rich in pastures, forests, agricultural activities.

Volterra most famous son is Saint Lino,  that was elected as the second Pope (after st. Peter) in 67 AD according to history.

Today Volterra is a quiet town with a medieval appearance due to its palaces where one of the films of the "Twilight" saga, was shot in its streets. A New Moon Volterra Twilight Tour would be very fun. 

Between other things in the centre of Volterra you will find several workshops where local Alabaster stone is used to make small sculptures, ornaments or costume jewellery, alabaster box, or in polished sheets used as cladding.

Alabaster has been used to produce enchanting bright artifacts by the Volterrani craftsmen starting from the Etruscan age in Tuscany even if Its use dates back to very remote times, since it was already used in ancient Egypt, in Crete and Mycenae for wall coverings or funeral vases.

Alabaster is the name given to a crystalline rock of chalky origin that occurs in underground deposits. In the area of Volterra you can find the most precious species, the white one, partially transparent and crystalline.

Alabaster is useful as a valuable decorative material because it can be polished. In Etruria, the ancient Tuscany, it was also used in ancient churches to replace glass in thin sheets, which let light to pass through.

During your visit we can reserve for you a brief Alabaster Tour visiting one of the local laboratories where you will learn the secrets of this ancient art.

You will also walk enjoing a stroll through the medieval streets to the Roman Theatre (1st century BC), the Piazza dei Priori where the Palazzo dei Priori stands.

You can visit the important Guarnacci Etruscan Museum, famous for the funeral urns found in the Etruscan tombs, dating back to the Archaic periods and its main attraction the bronze statuette "Shadow of the Night".

If you are interested we can reserve for you a Volterra walking guided tour with our best certified guide that will explain with interesting details the history and culture of this beautiful town.

Following you will be driven to San Gimignano that still hails today as one of the most impressive medieval hilltowns of all of Italy.

When the pilgrimage road to Rome was re-routed in the 15th century, bypassing this hilltown, time stopped. In addition to visiting the city, perhaps climbing up the “Torre Grossa” (huge tower) from where you can admire one of the most beautiful Tuscany landscape or entering the Cathedral, take a stroll through the streets lined with other medieval stone towers.

Shops overflow with local goods including tasty meats and cheeses and hand-crafted ceramics.

You can also enjoy a magnificent San Gimignano gelato (ice cream) at the Gelateria Dondoli awarded as Gelato World Champion.

San Gimignano is surrounded by Chianti hills but also a famous white wine is produced since the Middle Ages, using a local grape variety: “Vernaccia di San Gimignano” in case you would like to stop for a Chianti and San Gimignano Wine Tasting.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Available: All year round. Rain or shine

Duration: 9 hours

Travelling time: 3 hours

 

INCLUDED IN THE TOUR

Luxury air conditioned vehicle

English speaking Driver Guide for the day at disposal

All local Taxes, gasoline, highway/parking tolls, driver's meal

 

Please note that we can organize to come pick up and drop you off at your accommodation. We are also available to personalize your itinerary.

Contact us and we'll send you a personalized quotation.

 

NOT INCLUDED

Lunch

Admission fees where required

Walking guided tour of the towns (available on request)