Discovering Tuscany's Hidden Treasures: San Gimignano, Volterra and San Galgano Abbey

A full-day journey through medieval towers, alabaster hilltops, and a roofless gothic abbey lost in the Tuscan countryside

This Tuscany day trip from Florence takes you beyond the well-worn tourist trail and into three of the region's most atmospheric destinations, each with its own distinct character, history, and sense of place. Covering San Gimignano, Volterra, and the ruins of San Galgano Abbey in a single day, the itinerary is designed for travelers who want depth as much as scenery. A multilingual expert tour leader accompanies the group throughout, providing context and local insight at every stop.

San Gimignano, often called the "Manhattan of the Middle Ages," greets you with a skyline of medieval towers that have survived intact for centuries. Beyond the towers, the town rewards slow exploration: cobblestone lanes, a Romanesque duomo, sweeping views of the surrounding Sienese hills, and gelato made in unusual flavors that locals take quiet pride in. The atmosphere is genuinely medieval in a way that few Italian towns can claim.

Volterra stands on a high ridge and commands panoramic views across a landscape that has changed little in centuries. The town holds one of Europe's oldest public museums of Etruscan artifacts, a well-preserved Medici fortress, and dozens of artisan workshops where alabaster is worked by hand using techniques passed down through generations. A handmade alabaster piece makes for one of the most honest souvenirs in all of Tuscany.

The day closes at San Galgano Abbey, a 13th-century Cistercian monastery whose roof collapsed centuries ago, leaving only soaring gothic walls open to the sky. A short walk uphill leads to the Eremo di Montesiepi, where a sword embedded in stone has fueled legends connecting this corner of Tuscany to the Arthurian tradition. Whether or not you follow the mythology, the setting is extraordinary.