San Gimignano, Siena & Chianti

What you will visit: San Gimignano and Siena Chianti area

The town of San Gimignano relies on the top of a low hill at the centre of Valdelsa. This wonderful landscape will seduce you with its unique skyline made of towers. Most of the tower in San Gimignano were built during the 14th century by families who wanted to demonstrate their growing power. 

At those times, after gaining the autonomy from Volterra, more than seventy towers have been built in San Gimignano town centre. This process was transforming a rural village into a prestigious town.

The tour will continue with the Chianti area, known for its Chianti Classico riserva together with the Gallo Nero symbol, and the Medieval town of Siena, both situated in the heart of Tuscany. All these are compelling stops for those who want to see the true Tuscan landscape. You will learn about the region’s history and traditions from the 13th Century. You will taste excellent food and wines.

How to get to San Gimignano from Florence

Your journey will start in Florence where you’ll meet our kind staff. Please come to Villa Costanza tram terminal, at the end of the Tramway 1, an easy to reach location, where you can also leave your car with comfort and ease.  

Onboard, after the bus departure, you will be introduced step by step to the places you are going to see and visit. The first stop will take place really soon. After approximately one hour losing yourself in the magical landscape of the Chianti Fiorentino (Florentine Chianti), you’ll reach San Gimignano.

This is an extraordinary example of a well-preserved Medieval urban town, with the original old walls. This is also the main reason why UNESCO included this town into the world heritage sites. 

Art, museums and the best Italian ice-cream are here

You will have free time to visit everything you want. The old town center is full of alleys and beautiful squares, museums, palaces, churches, magnificent towers and craftsmen’s workshops. Furthermore, if you are interested in contemporary art, in San Gimignano you will find interesting contemporary art galleries, like the Galleria Continua, hosting works made by some of the most famous and valued international artists. 

If you are looking for simpler and more popular things to do in San Gimignano, then you can taste one of the best ice-cream in town. Here you can find few world-famous gelaterias, like Il Criollo or Gelateria dell’Olmo.

Chianti wine region: the taste of the Classic area

Your tour continues to the splendid area of the Chianti Classico in the Siena province. This is the original Chianti area. We will stop by a typical Tuscan winery where you will visit the cellars and vineyards. Afterward, you will taste the wine produced.

The magnificent Siena cathedral and the Palio square

In the afternoon the tour continues with sightseeing in Siena. Here our official guides will lead our tour to the old city center. You will have the chance to admire the magnificent Siena Cathedral (called Duomo) and the Town Hall in the Piazza del Campo, the scenery of the world-famous Senese Palio horse race. 

Colle Alta: the historic centre of the Crystal City

As a last stop, you will stop at Colle Alta, the historic centre of the medieval town of Colle Val d'Elsa, along the Via Francigena. This charming village is better known as the city of crystal, thanks to its centuries-old production of the mineral, which led to the establishment of a veritable museum, the 'Crystal Museum', in 2001.

Colle Alta is located in the upper part of Colle Val d'Elsa, where the Church of Santa Caterina, overlooking the square of the same name, and the Castle of Piticciano, also known in the past as 'Castelnuovo de' Franchi', are located.

Strolling through the streets of this enchanting historic centre, you will enjoy magnificent views of the natural and urban landscape that tell the story of this ancient village. Also take the opportunity to admire the former Conservatorio di San Pietro designed by the great Florentine architect Giorgio Vasari, who went down in history for having designed one of the most important art galleries not only in Florence, but also in the whole of Italy.

At the end of the visit, you will return to Villa Costanza, the starting point of our tour.