It's a pleasant hour's drive through Tuscan hills to the ancient town of Volterra. Volterra sits on a high plateau offering uninterrupted views of the surrounding hills and boasting over 3,500 years of history. It was one of the most important Etruscan cities from 4-6 century BC and is rich in archeological remains, both Etruscan and Roman. The Etruscans built a 7km ring of walls around the city and as you enter the original Etruscan gate, the Porta all'Arco, you will feel you are stepping back in time as you wander the narrow medieval streets and piazzas. Volterra has always exploited its strategic location as well as its numerous natural resources in the land such as salt, alabaster and copper and today it is still an important centre for the production of alabaster. Volterra has 3 museums of considerable artistic and historical value with the Guarnacci Museum holding one of the most important displays of Etruscan antiquities in existence.

L'après-midi, nous flânerons dans la ville médiévale de San Gimignano, coiffée de tours, un autre grand site italien classé au patrimoine mondial. Nous aurons le temps d'explorer ses charmantes rues pavées et ses places. La ville est réputée pour son vin blanc, le Vernaccia di San Gimignano, et a également réintroduit la culture du safran, cultivé ici au Moyen Âge et qui constituait un élément important de l'économie de la ville. Ne manquez surtout pas la visite de la Gelateria di Piazza, où Sergio Dondoli crée des glaces primées, dont le sorbet au vin Vernaccia !