Home > Siena > Small-Group San Gimignano and Volterra Day Trip from Siena
USD $161.00
Small-Group San Gimignano and Volterra Day Trip from Siena
Siena, Italy
Embrace the medieval charms of Tuscany's towns on a full-day trip to San Gimignano and Volterra from Siena. With an attentive local guide, walk round the Fortress of Monteriggioni, explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of San Gimignano, and visit an alabaster workshop in Volterra. Enjoy a delicious lunch on a small Tuscan farm and spend time at your leisure exploring these rustic hill towns that are steeped in rich Italian history.
Numbers are limited to eight people on this small-group tour, ensuring you'll receive personalized attention from your guide.
Leave Siena in the morning and head northwest by comfortable minivan toward San Gimignano. On your way, stop at the medieval Fortress of Monteriggioni, a captivating Tuscan hill town that is one of the few whose medieval city walls remain completely intact. Walk around the stone walls encircling this charming town and learn about the area’s interesting history from your guide.
From Monteriggioni, continue to the beautiful hill town of San Gimignano -- undoubtedly the highlight of your trip. Walk down the Via Francigena strip that runs through the town as your guide explains the history of this ancient pilgrimage road said to link Rome to Canterbury in England. Learn how in bygone times, Christian pilgrims would travel between cities in Italy, Switzerland, France and England on this road.
After tracing the pilgrim's steps down Via Francigena, you'll have time for independent sightseeing in San Gimignano. This gorgeous, UNESCO World Heritage-listed town is as famous for its medieval architecture as it is for its scenic views. See beautiful monuments in Piazza del Duomo, or search the local shops for quality saffron spice that the town produces, known locally as ‘red gold.’ Perhaps check out Palazzo Communale and climb up Torre Grossa (own expense). The climb is steep but worthwhile -- simply for the panoramic views of Tuscany from the top!
Break for lunch at a traditional, family-run farm just outside of San Gimignano, and indulge in a Tuscan feast! Your friendly Italian hosts will treat you to scrumptious platters of home-grown delicacies prepared with organic saffron, accompanied by chilled Vernaccia white wine.
In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive farther south to Volterra. The fascinating Tuscan city is renowned for its alabaster -- the translucent stone used for centuries to create vases, lamps and other works of art. On the way, visit an authentic alabaster workshop and watch an artisan craftsman at work. In Volterra itself, you'll have approximately one hour to spend at leisure to explore the picturesque streets before returning to Siena.
We were very fortunate in that our tour was just the two of us with our excellent tour guide Elena._br/_ After a short drive we visited the small walled town of Montereggio, it was very well kept and a nice 15 minute walk around, not much to see, but very cute, as we were leaving 10ish a large tour bus was just arriving !_br/_ Next stop was a nice drive to San Gimigano, a stunning town that has many towers 7 was over 70, most of the town is geared towards tourists, lots of shops, restaurants and a few churches, we went up to the old fort area an had some great views over the town and countryside. After 1 1/2 hours of investigating on our own, we then met up with Elena and drove to a local saffron farm for a wonderful lunch, perfect setting and company._br/_ After leaving the Saffron farm we stopped at Volterra another beautiful city famous for alabaster, which we visited a workshop to see this stone being worked on and some free time to investigate on our own_br/_ Our tour guide Elena was a pleasure to be with and she made the day perfect from start to finish._br/_ Recommend tour if you like to investigate a little on your own and want to leave the driving/parking t someone else.
Review by: Jacques P, November 2017
Une expérience mémorable, sous la direction d'une guide remarquablement sympathique! La seule ombre au tableau: impossible de prendre le temps de vraiment approfondir le musée du duomo. Quant au repas chez le producteur, il était tout simplement gastronomique... Jacques
Review by: April C, October 2017
Elena guided us from beginning to end on this fantastic trip touring the idyllic Tuscan countryside. We visited Volterra, charming and historic and San Gimignano, magnificent! The highlight was our lunch at the Tuscan saffron farm, delicious local food with our delightful hosts! Our group of eight were good fun. Elena had very good English and was very engaging and interested in us too! Thank you Elena for a memorable and magnificent day!
Review by: Carl R, September 2017
Wonderful day with Elena and 4 other fellow travelers. I really liked the freedom of having time to explore each area on our own -- so it didn't feel like a traditional tour. Also a fabulous lunch at a small agriturismo farm outside of San Gimignano-- some of the best food I've eaten in Italy!
Review by: Jillian W, March 2017
I was in a group of 4 ladies and we were lucky enough to be the only ones on the trip so had plenty of attention from our guide. Our day was perfect, beautiful, clear weather and we enjoyed every minute. Our guide was very knowledgeable and we learnt so much about the picturesque villages we visited. Delicious lunch was served at a local farm and we had plenty of time to ourselves to explore throughout the day. Would thoroughly recommend this trip!
Review by: gwen.dupre, October 2016
Our tour guide, Elena, was fantastic and so energetic.
Review by: Beverley B, September 2016
Excellent local guide. Spectacular scenery. Delicious lunch at saffron/olive farm. Weather - unfortunately it rained so we rushed some of the town in seeking shelter
Review by: Stanley Adams W, July 2016
The trip gave us further insight into medieval towns and the history of the area. Our guide, Miralda was very good with a strong knowledge base of the significant facts that impacted the development of each town and its importance to the surrounding area. The trip was well paced which allowed for questions as well as photo opportunities.
Review by: Sandra J. S, June 2016
We enjoyed our day! The guide was very informative and pleasant to talk to. The best part to my husband and I was the lunch at the Tuscan farm. The hosting couple made a great lunch. They were so hospitable. We enjoyed driving around Tuscany and the medieval hill towns.
Review by: louisfcosta, June 2016
Wonderful tour and highly recommend taking the day to spend in Tuscany. Mare was a wondeful guide and driver. Very high energy and knowledgeable of the srea.
Review by: Marsha M, June 2016
Loved this day trip. Monteriggioni was unique and both San Gimignano and Volterra were delightful Tuscan hill towns. There was time to explore a bit, but I would have liked more time in Volterra to see the Etruscan Museum. There was just the right amount of time in San Gimignano. We had a truly wonderful lunch at an agriturismo farm. Our guide spoke perfect English, was fun to talk to, very knowledgeable, and personable.
Review by: Brian O, May 2016
Our guide, Elena was charming, and knowledgeable. This tour was fabulous! Our lunch at the Tuscan saffron farm was delicious. The hospitality that we received made us feel so welcome! I absolutely loved our visit to Homero's alabaster studio. It may have been the high point of the trip for me. The joy and pride that Homero exhibits in his work could be a lesson to us all.
Review by: Brian O, May 2016
Our guide, Elena was charming, and knowledgeable. This tour was fabulous! Our lunch at the Tuscan saffron farm was delicious. The hospitality that we received made us feel so welcome! I absolutely loved our visit to Homero's alabaster studio. It may have been the high point of the trip for me. The joy and pride that Homero exhibits in his work could be a lesson to us all.
Review by: anteater, April 2016
Fabulous day trip even allowing for the inclement weather. Very interesting with lots to see and do. Marella our guide was knowledge and her presentation of the information made it easy to listen to her. The attention we received was greatly appreciated. Recommend this day trip.
Review by: Bill C, April 2016
Our tour was fabulous we were the only guests that day and our guide Sylvia provided us with a day we will never forget. The drive through the Tuscan hills is a memory we will never forget.... San gimignano and volterre are absolute gems that we would have missed if we had not decided to take the tour. They are so historic and beautiful .... Our lunch at the Tuscan farm of Carmella and family was the highlight of the day . The food . The wine and the scenery were spectacular , this family produces saffron and it was fascinating to learn about this expensive spice. Carmella used the spice in her cooking that day and everything was fabulous. They are rightfully proud of this organic farm they call home
Review by: andy, November 2015
A great eight hour adventure in Tuscany. We were very luck to have the tour all to ourselves. Had enough time explore both hill towns and a wonderful lunch at a private farm house overlooking Tuscany. Like being in a movie. I would recommend to anyone.
Review by: Ptaxa, October 2015
We were disappointed with this trip. It seems that the Tuscany Escapes provides only the transportation and the driver/tour guide all in one. There wasn't much tour guidance - meaning historical or architectural information provided during the driving time or on the spot. Of course the Tuscany cities are charming, but we spend way too much time in the dusty alabaster shop so only 45 minutes were left to explore Volterra. The lunch was good as expected.
Review by: Lori H, July 2015
Elena was a fantastic guide. Warm and friendly personality and great knowledge about the sites!
Review by: Lalee64, June 2015
Our guide, Marella, was outstanding! Her knowledge was incredible and her enthusiasm for what she was sharing with us was infectious. The lunch included was a highlight, the host couple were amazing and the food beautiful. The alabaster workshop was also a highlight and the artisan very talented, it is a shame that the skill is not being handed down. The 3 towns visited, Monteriggioni, San Gimignano and Volterra were each interesting in there own right. What a great day!
Review by: Yvonne S, June 2015
This was a wonderful tour. Our group of 4 were educated and entertained by a charming guide. The locations were incredible and the meal at the farm house was one of the highlights of our entire trip to Italy. Would highly recommend this tour and will definitely use Viator again for sightseeing!
Review by: Graham R, June 2014
As usual this Viator managed tour was excellent.Guide spoke excellent English.My opinion of Viator remains high after many experiences.
Review by: Robert H, May 2014
What a wonderful day. Every minute of our tour was special. There were only four of us and two guides. What a day. Everything outlined in the advertisement was actually what you got and more. I could not recommend it more as it was a perfect day in Tuscany. Bob. Gerringong, Australia
Review by: Pat, May 2014
Lunch at the farm house was wonderful and the highlight of the trip.
Review by: Jeff U, December 2013
San Gimignano was lovely, Volterra alabaster tour was interesting and the lunch was superb. Our guide was also fantastic. So it was a great day all round.
Review by: Michelle K, December 2013
This trip far exceeded my expectations. It was my favorite day of my time in Italy. Our tour guide was informative and engaging and we spent the right amount of time in each of the Tuscan Hill towns we visited. The lunch at the organic farm was wonderful. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone traveling to this area.
Review by: Brian A, August 2013
We had a wonderful day with our guide Sylvia .It turned out to just be our family of three on the tour through the Tuscan countryside, and I am very thankful Viator didn't cancel the tour because they couldn't fill the group...just for that alone I would book with them again!_br/_
The comfort of the van on a very hot August day was so welcome. The drive through Tuscany was beautiful and the photos stops to San Gimignano and Volterra great. The best was the lunch at a Tuscan farmhouse hosted by the owner Carmela and her husband....it was the very best meal yet in Italy and all made by hand with products from their farm including the olive oil and saffron. Our granddaughter still raves about the pecorino cheese and pear strudel Carmela made._br/_
I cannot say enough nice things about this trip, only that it was the high lite of our trip through Italy._br/_
Thanks Viator Italy, and Sylvia for this amazing day.
Review by: David D, August 2013
Another Viator/Tuscan Escapes winner! Samayo was not your ordinary tour guide. A man of few words but with thoughtful insights. It was a pleasure to "journey" with him on this day. The towns of San Gimignano and Volterra were an excellent juxtaposition, the first a touristic gem, the second an undiscovered refuge. The highlights were the visit to the Alabaster workshop - the dying exercise of craftsmanship is still very much alive at alab'Arte. We recomment you purchase the piece produced before your eyes. A true memento of art and beauty. And the second highlight was to the local Bio-farm where a delicious lunch was lovingly prepared by the husband and wife. Another true exercise of passion and devotion. A culinary AND learning experience. DO NOT MISS THIS TOUR!!
Review by: Ronald M C, June 2013
Oh yes, the destinations we were taken to were really nice._br/_
But what made the tour SPECTACULAR was Azura, our guide. Not only was she a incredibly pleasant person to be with, she was informative, and very organized and timely._br/_
If we knew we could have her to be our tour guide again, we would certainly sign up for another one. Next time we go, we will ask for her. Your organization is lucky to have her. Please give her our best regards!!_br/_
Chantal and Ron Clark
Review by: Ronald M C, June 2013
Oh yes, the destinations we were taken to were really nice._br/_
But what made the tour SPECTACULAR was Azura, our guide. Not only was she a incredibly pleasant person to be with, she was informative, and very organized and timely._br/_
If we knew we could have her to be our tour guide again, we would certainly sign up for another one. Next time we go, we will ask for her. Your organization is lucky to have her. Please give her our best regards!!_br/_
Chantal and Ron Clark
Review by: Ronald M C, June 2013
Oh yes, the destinations we were taken to were really nice._br/_
But what made the tour SPECTACULAR was Azura, our guide. Not only was she a incredibly pleasant person to be with, she was informative, and very organized and timely._br/_
If we knew we could have her to be our tour guide again, we would certainly sign up for another one. Next time we go, we will ask for her. Your organization is lucky to have her. Please give her our best regards!!_br/_
Chantal and Ron Clark
Review by: Ronald M C, June 2013
Oh yes, the destinations we were taken to were really nice._br/_
But what made the tour SPECTACULAR was Azura, our guide. Not only was she a incredibly pleasant person to be with, she was informative, and very organized and timely._br/_
If we knew we could have her to be our tour guide again, we would certainly sign up for another one. Next time we go, we will ask for her. Your organization is lucky to have her. Please give her our best regards!!_br/_
Chantal and Ron Clark
Review by: deb, June 2012
Milo, our tour guide, was superb - knowledgeable, entertaining and personable. He took us to a 3rd hill town and we still had more than enough time to visit San Gimignano and Volterra. Lunch at the agriturismo was excellent. This was absolutely the best tour I took in the month I spent in Italy. I recommend it whole heartily.
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