From Siena: Day Trip to San Gimignano and Volterra in a Small Group

Discover with us 2 authentic gems nestled in the blooming heart or Tuscan countryside. Our tour commences with a drive heading towards San Gimignano. 

We break our journey to view the Monteriggioni fortress and walk around its medieval and well-conserved structure which still has its entire arrangement of walls and towers that were erected in the thirteenth century. [readmore] This same Monteriggioni fortress was described in Dante’s Devine Comedy. The fortress was Siena’s primary stronghold of defence against Florence’s attacking armies. We then visit the captivating town of San Gimignano, a typical Tuscan hill town with sombre towers that despite all odds has stood its ground for centuries and remains standing to this day. Recently, it has been given the honour of being named as a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its stunning feudal architecture. 

Take a stroll along the historic road of the Via Francigena, which was the primary road that pilgrims and travellers used throughout Europe. Today, San Gimignano is once again a lively, active town that is overflowing with stores and boutiques which sell local produce, such as the town’s “red gold” as they affectionately call saffron, artisanal fare, and the original Vernaccia white wine which is hundreds of years old. 

After enjoying all that San Gimignano has to offer, enjoy your free time where you can visit the local shops, museums and churches. We then visit a tiny family-owned farm where we will feast on a nutritious, traditional lunch where they use seasonal produce from the farm itself. Experience saffron-infused dishes during lunch as well as the refreshing Vernaccia white wine. 

Sometimes the farm is inaccessible on a particular day, in which case we will dine at a typical trattoria where a customary Tuscan meal will also be served. With lunch over, we will drive along the beautiful roads that lead towards Volterra. Our first stop is at a tiny, artisanal alabaster workshop where we engage with a purist craftsman and see first-hand how alabaster sculptures are formed by these cheerful artists. 

Thereafter, we continue to Volterra, the early Velathri, which is a perfect balance of Roman, Medieval, Etruscan, and Renaissance architecture and artwork. In Volterra, use your free time to explore the streets of this ancient town, enjoy its well-known Etruscan museum, marvel at its thousand-year-old Etruscan arch or view the Roman theatre or the various other historic monuments of this town.