About this tour
Skip the tourist queues at Pisa and Florence for a nine-hour private van tour through Volterra and San Gimignano, two genuine medieval hilltop towns that showcase Tuscany's quieter character. Your driver-guide navigates the winding roads whilst sharing local knowledge, offering a more intimate look at the region's architecture, art, and landscape than the well-trodden circuit allows. Departures start at 8:30am and can be adjusted to suit your plans.
Highlights
- Volterra's Etruscan walls and Renaissance palaces away from crowds
- San Gimignano's 14 remaining tower-houses dominating the skyline
- Panoramic countryside drives through Tuscan valleys and vineyards
- Air-conditioned Mercedes van with on-board WiFi
- Flexible departure times; private group experience
- Knowledgeable local guide narrating throughout the day
- Suitable for families with infants and all fitness levels
What to expect
You'll depart mid-morning and spend the day in two distinct villages. Volterra sits on a high plateau and feels genuinely working-class—medieval but lived-in, with its Etruscan gates and frescoed interiors. San Gimignano, by contrast, is picture-postcard dramatic: a fortified town crowned by tall stone towers that once signalled family wealth and rivalry. Both reward wandering on foot through narrow lanes, though the driving between them showcases rolling hills, olive groves, and the kind of light that makes photographers pause. Your guide will point out details you'd otherwise miss, but you'll have space to explore independently.
Good to know
Lunch isn't included, so plan to eat in either village or bring provisions. Wear comfortable walking shoes—both towns involve cobbled streets and some hills. Museum entries and wine tastings cost extra. Prams and specialised infant seats are available; service animals welcome.
Tour sold and operated by its supplier via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries, not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.