Tuscany's Hidden Gems: San Gimignano, Volterra & St Galgano Abbey

Highlights

• Visit San Gimignano
• Discover Volterra
• St Galgano Abbey

What's included

Itinerary

1. 1

   Florence

   2h

   This tour is indeed a tour which will suit everyone, from those who adore Tuscany’s diverse landscapes and its remarkable works of art, to its illustrious history and legendary tales. It is certainly a tour which the entire family will love. There is no time to waste when exploring the stunning Tuscany hills! Meet your tour guide at Piazzale Montelungo Bus Terminal early in the morning. Piazzale Montelungo is located 5-10 minutes walking distance from the Santa Maria Novella train station. Hop on the comfortable coach bus, choose your seat, and relax before departing on your journey! The drive to San Gimignano will take about one hour. During the journey, your guide will entertain you with plenty of interesting information about San Gimignano!

2. 2

   San Gimignano

   1h

   Your journey to discover Tuscany's hidden gems will start with San Gimignano, known as the "town of towers," because of its fascinating medieval towers still perfectly intact. The drive will take about an hour, and you will see the stunning "medieval skyscrapers" from a distance as your bus pulls into the historic town. Your guide will lead you past an incredible panoramic viewpoint of the Tuscan hills, then through the ancient city doors. You will have an hour to independently explore the town - walk the picturesque alleyways, visit the Duomo, or climb the tallest tower!

3. 3

   Piazza Della Cisterna

   1h

   During your free time, do not miss to explore Piazza della Cisterna with its triangular shape with a slight natural slope and the nearby Piazza del Duomo. The pavement is brick and the piazza is surrounded by houses and medieval towers. There are presently 5 towers onto the square or very near it and the bases of other five are visible on the facade of the various palaces.

4. 4

   Stop 4

   15min

   During your free time in San Gimignano, don't miss the opportunity to stop by one of the most famous Gelato Shops in Italy, the award winner "Gelateria Dondoli"! Let yourself be enchanted by the flavours and colours of their delicious home made ice creams and recharge the batteries for the rest of the day!

5. 5

   Strada Statale 222 Chiantigiana

   1h

   Sit back and relax, the journey by bus from San Gimignano to San Galgano Abbey will last approximately 1 hour. You will literally cross the heart of Tuscany, and you will admire the most pristine landscape made of cypresses, vineyards and rolling hills

6. 6

   Volterra

   1h

   The last stop of your Tuscan tale will be Volterra, a walled mountaintop town characterized by a Medieval and Etruscan charm. Its history dates from before the 8th century BC and it has substantial structures from the Etruscan, Roman, and Medieval periods.

7. 7

   Piazza dei Priori

   30min

   Your tour leader will take you to the heart of Volterra, that is to say the suggestive Piazza dei Priori, the main square of the city and a fine example of medieval Tuscan town squares.

8. 8

   Abbazia di San Galgano

   1h

   Your Tuscany's hidden gems quest will continue in the direction of the sublime St Galgano Abbey, a majestic roofless Gothic style building, built in the 13th-century. church still stand. This stunning former Cistercian Monastery is immersed in the most pristine Tuscan landscapes, amongs cypresses and olive groves.

Before you go

Location