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13 June 2011 Caterina Pomini 6958

A Two Day Trip to Chianti, Volterra and San Gimignano

If you are interested in the Italian Culture and you are looking for its origins here's a suggested itinerary for two whole days in Tuscany. The four legs of this journey are: Greve in Chianti, Colle Val d'Elsa, Volterra and San Gimignano; your Blucar driver will be glad to accompany you in your discovery, so that you can also relax and admire the great panoramas along these roads.

DAY ONE

You'll leave Florence in the morning and with a scenic drive through the countryside along the Chiantigiana road SS 22 you'll reach Greve in Chianti, where you can buy some of the most typical products produced in this area: the excellent olive oil and the famous red wine. Greve in Chianti is considered by many as the gate into Chianti and it also hosts the Wine Museum, which we recommend visiting.

Your next stop will be Colle Val d'Elsa which is just 50 minutes away. We suggest you to have your lunch in “Colle Alta” (the old part of the town) and have a look at the Duomo and the Tower House at the end of Via del Castello, where, according to the legend, was also born Arnolfo di Cambio, a very famous Italian architect and sculptor. The ex Conservatory of St Peter is certainly a jewel of art and architecture, however, the beauties of this little town are not over: from Palazzo Campana you can enjoy a beautiful walk that will show you a medieval picture of the Castle.

By taking the SS 68 road you will reach Volterra in half an hour and this is also the Etruscan town where you can spend the night. Before going to sleep though, have your dinner in the old city center and sense the special atmosphere of this place... Volterra has over 3000 years of history to tell about!

DAY TWO

Velàthri was an Etruscan Lucumon and later an important Roman Province; from the Etruscan period the town has kept some significant characteristics, such as the town walls, Porta all'Arco, the Marmini necropolis and various archaeological findings kept in the Museo Guarnacci. Volterra has also the oldest town hall in Tuscany: Palazzo dei Priori, built in the XIII century.

In the afternoon, before going back to Florence, take the SS 68 road and reach San Gimignano, which is only 30 minutes away. San Gimignano is a medieval town characterized by various towers, that once represented the town's economic and political power and it is also one of Europe's best-preserved medieval towns. Visit the narrow alleys, Piazza della Cisterna (built around a fascinating well which dates back to 1237!), Piazza del Duomo and the walls and imagine going back to the Middle Ages.

Unfortunately your trip has come to its end now. You can choose to dine in San Gimignano and taste its famous wine which is called “Vernaccia” or return to Florence along the road that passes through San Casciano, in order to admire the golden hills at sunset before dinner.

Need a car rental? Find further information at Florence car service -

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