Things to do in San Gimignano and Val d'Elsa

".. we stopped to listen to the silence that surrounds this place, until a red sunset lit up the towers of San Gimignano and the singing crickets woke us from a dream which was actually reality ..." wrote some French guests, describing their arrival at our farm. Of course, the first thing to do is enjoy the peace and quiet of the place, and take in the magical countryside that nature provides. Even better with a glass of good red wine, relaxing in the garden.
Anyone wanting to sample a succulent barbecue of excellent Chianina steaks will find the grill ready and waiting to be lit.

The Tuscan landscape changes hue with each passing season, so a stroll or a bike ride give visitors the chance to take in fields of blossoming sunflowers, and grape and wheat harvests.
A variety of trails are ideal for anyone who wants to do some trekking or mountain-biking. Setting off from the farm it is possible to reach San Gimignano, passing by the Torraccia di Chiusi archaeological excavations of an ancient Roman villa, or crossing our terrain with its marine fossils dating back 5,000,000 years, to the time when the sea reached our doorstep.

For art and history lovers there are Siena, Florence and Volterra, but also a less celebrated Tuscany that is certainly no less interesting. It is the Tuscany of small villages that speak of a bygone age and where days are full of human contact. When our guests arrive we make sure to give them all the information for exploring these hamlets. Anyone who wants to discover Tuscan traditions can ask us to tell tales of country life, or for the ingredients of some typical recipes that have been sampled.

For shoppers, there is not just glassware from Colle di Val d'Elsa and alabaster from Volterra, but also outlets of some of the most prestigious names in Italian fashion, located at the nearby Valdichiana Outlet Village (Foiano della Chiana, Arezzo), Prada (Levanella Montevarchi) and Roberto Cavalli (Sesto Fiorentino).

What to see

SAN GIMIGNANO: ,located on a hilltop overlooking the Val d'Elsa, is a completely walled town, with two main squares: Piazza della Cisterna and Piazza Duomo, with the cathedral and the town hall.
The 12th-century PALAZZO COMUNALE is the location of the rooms where Dante was received in the 1300s, the Museo Civico and the Pinacoteca art gallery. It is worth a visit to the DUOMO to admire frescoes like the Last Judgement (Taddeo di Bartolo), as well as 1500-1600s canvases and panels. Via San Giovanni boasts the lovely church of San Francesco, Palazzo Pratelli and the Torre Cugnanesi. A striking place is PIAZZA DELLA CISTERNA, with its ancient monumental well and buildings.

The town is also famous for its 13 surviving TOWERS, which started out as 72, each one the symbol of a noble family. Nor can visitors to San Gimignano fail to sample its wine, VERNACCIA di San Gimignano, produced only in the municipal district. Another very ancient product is SAFFRON, which is still made with natural methods. In the Middle Ages this spice was an enormous source of wealth for the free commune, who taxed exports.

VOLTERRA is called the windy town because of its position high on a hill separating the Cecina and Era valleys.
The town is surrounded by stunning ravines called BALZE, created by landslides of this sandy clay soil. This is an Etruscan town with a double curtain of fortifications – one Etruscan and one Medieval, consequently, alongside its Medieval appearance, Volterra has many Etruscan relics, like the PORTA ALL'ARCO gate and the ACROPOLIS. Then there is evidence of Roman presence in the ROMAN THEATRE, while the Middle Ages can be seen mainly in buildings like PALAZZO DEI PRIORI (13th century), PALAZZO PRETORIO, the TOWER-HOUSES, the CATHEDRAL and the BAPTISTERY.
Today the town is a leading presence in the art sector, known for its ancient tradition of working alabaster and onyx.

MONTERIGGIONI, built by the powers of Siena to impede Florentine access to Via Cassia and now appearing to visitors as FORTIFIED WALLS with a walkway that offers a superb view of the surrounding area. The charm of this tiny village really casts the spell of bygone times. The PIEVE DI SANTA MARIA church in the main square retains elements of the Romanesque and Gothic periods.

COLLE DI VAL D'ELSA: is famous for its glassware and comprises three sections:
THE CASTLE, the most ancient part of the town, with the birthplace of Arnolfo di Cambio.
Via delle Volte, the most attractive street; PIAZZA DEL DUOMO, the monumental site of greatest prestige..
Also very important are the Museo Civico and the Arnolfo tower.
The CASTELLO quarter leads to BORGO, passing PALAZZO DEL CAMPANA (1500s) to reach PIANO, where the industrial district has developed. The PIAZZA di ARNOLFO DI CAMBIO arcade is worth seeing.
The unusual lift connecting Piano to the Castle is of recent construction.

SIENA's art, tradition and culture make it a monumental treasure house of incomparable value. The city is laid out on 3 hillsides and legend states that it was founded by Senius, son of Remus, who fled from Rome after his father was assassinated, taking with him the statue of the she-wolf who fed the twins. The heart of the city is the harmonious shell-shaped PIAZZA DEL CAMPO, its delicately sloping flagstones hugged by a curtain of buildings. At the edge of the flagged foundations, a Renaissance gem by Jacopo della Quercia – FONTE GAIA. Piazza del Campo is the fantastic setting for Siena's Palio delle Contrade.

The Palio horse race is held twice a year, on 2 July and 16 August. It is a celebration of the 17 districts competing for the painted banner that is commonly known as the "cencio". This is a truly ancient tradition and the real stars are the horses, each of whom can be declared a winner even if they cross the finish line without a jockey. The DUOMO is especially lovely, with its Romanesque-Gothic façade and the solemn majesty of its interior. The pillars inside divide the church into three sections and sustain round arches; the blue vaults are studded with stars; the marble flooring comprises 56 scratch-work scenes of sacred and secular subjects, but it is almost always covered and can only be viewed on special occasions. A stroll in Via di Città reveals Palazzo Chigi-Saracini, home to the Accademia Musicale Chigiana and a gallery of 1500-1600s paintings.
One of the oldest private mansions in Siena is Palazzo Tolomei, set on the piazza of the same name, where a column was erected to support the she-wolf icon of the city. The entire centre is a testimony to art and culture, and each building has a story to tell, with many interesting museums to be visited. More information on our Nearby page

Bicycle hire

Thanks to our partners Ciclosport Porciatti, guests can hire city, mountain, eco, air-cushioned and racing bikes. There are also local guides available to take guests on tours and to suggest itineraries and routes. Prices and terms from the holiday farm.

Spa

We are partnered with a spa in Via Garibaldi 68, in Colle Val d'Elsa. The spa offers a wide range of facilities, including beauty treatments, wellness, weight loss, tanning, cosmetic and trend services (nail reconstruction, permanent makeup, eyelash lengthening), and holistic cosmetics. Holiday farm guests are offered a discount. More information from the holiday farm.