A day in Volterra
Volterra, Tuscany, Italy[8.6 miles]
Steeped in history, the fortified hilltop town of Volterra offers glimpses of Etruscan and Roman life, among streets dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Best places to stay:
Set on a 750-acre estate alongside an organic farm, this ‘borgo hotel’ occupies a stone hamlet with an elegant 18th-century villa and outbuildings.
Dotted throughout the estate are old farmhouses, all carefully restored, with a discreetly luxurious, upmarket Tuscan feel, making this an ideal choice for couples wanting privacy and independence, while enjoying all the facilities of a luxury hotel.
The farm produces olive oil, grain, honey, fruit, vegetables and herbs which, along with farm-reared pigs and hens, supply the two restaurants, the gourmet-style Villa Pignano and the more casual Al Fresco.
It all feels miles from anywhere, but nonetheless is a great base for visits to Siena, Volterra and San Gimignano. Many guests, however, simply choose to stay put and enjoy the huge range of on-site activities and facilities, including yoga and painting classes and horseback tours of the estate.
Standing in the middle of a vast estate, there is little to disturb the peace at Borgo Pignano and it is well removed from any main roads. All around lies idyllic Tuscan countryside; rolling hills dotted with olive groves, striped with vineyards broken by clusters of cypress trees.
Not far from Pignano is the lively old town of Colle Val d’Elsa and its brilliant Museum of Crystal.
Want more recommendations in this destination?
Destination Guide >Please note - we hope to one day have live prices for you, but for now, here are some useful links for you to compare prices...
Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Volterra, Tuscany, Italy[8.6 miles]
Steeped in history, the fortified hilltop town of Volterra offers glimpses of Etruscan and Roman life, among streets dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy[8.6 miles]
Sometimes dubbed ‘Tuscany’s Manhattan’ for its clutch of slim medieval towers (visible for miles around), iconic San Gimignano is the region’s most famous (and most visited) hill town.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Chianti, Tuscany, Italy[22.9 miles]
Home to some of Italy’s best wines, the DOCG Chianti Classico stretches across 177,500 acres of undulating, vine-striped land between Florence and Siena.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first
Colle di Val D'Elsa, Tuscany, Italy[11.6 miles]
Colle Val d’Elsa Food writer/blogger and photographer Giulia Scarpaleggia and her husband run the excellent ‘Jul’s Kitchen’ offering a range of hands-on cooking classes alongside courses in food writing and photography. Classes are held in their house in the countryside between Siena and Florence.
Best for ages: 13+ | £70 | 3 hours
Certaldo, Tuscany, Italy[16.1 miles]
An excellent cooking school based in Certaldo (southwest of Florence) offering truffle-hunting experiences in the Chianti woods, followed by a truffle-based lunch or cooking lessons with truffles.
Best for ages: 13+ | £120 | 3-4 hours
Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay
Tuscany, Italy
A heady mix of incomparable Renaissance art, gorgeous palazzos, Tuscan cuisine and home-grown haute couture.
Tuscany, Italy
The astonishingly beautiful region of Tuscany has it all: art cities and ancient hill towns, high mountains and long sandy beaches, alongside luxurious hotels and some of Italy’s best food and wine.