When in Rome Tuscany…

VOLTERRA

Volterra is the closest town to the villa, (~20-minute drive). The town is a trove of religious buildings, museums, and galleries dating back as far as 1st Century BC. Indulge in traditional Italian fare from any of the 80+ restaurants, or venture to a nearby vineyards to savor a myriad of wines and panoramic views of Tuscany.

SIENA

Sienna is the closest major city to the villa, (35-minute drive), and home to the Palio Horse Race. With medieval buildings and its main piazza dating back to 1349, this city is the epitome of old-world charm. Grab a slice of pizza and cappuccino before setting out to explore Siena’s Duomo. (Disclaimer: It’s much smaller than Brunelleschi’s famed Florentine Duomo.)

PISA

Want to see the leaning tower of Pisa? It’s ~an hour-drive from Volterra. Check off the “I’m holding it up all by myself” photo from your bucket list, then explore the Cathedral and Baptistry.

FLORENCE

Ah, Fierenze! Florence is 1.5 hours from Volterra by car & 3 hours by train. This acclaimed, medieval city was the epicenter of the Italian Renaissance, and we could spend all day writing a thesis on how this gem of a city influenced art, music, banking, and politics in the modern world—but we’ve got a wedding to plan!

There are many iconic landmarks to see, but here are a few we deem "MUST-sees”…

Ponte Vecchio: The only bridge to survive the bombings of Nazi Germany. Now it’s filled with street performers, artists, and bespoke jewelry stores.
Piazza del Michelangelo: “Hike” up (by hike, we just mean paved hills and stairs…lots and lots of stairs at the finish line) to the top for a breathtaking sunset—it’s absolutely stunning! We suggest meandering up after dinner with a bottle of wine and staking out a spot on the stairs. A lot of people go there to drink and watch the sun go down, so you’ll have to get their early to snag a spot, as it gets crowded fast.
Piazza del Duomo: You may have to wait in line (suggest getting there before it even opens to get a head start), but it’s worth it. Once you get to the top, you can soak in breathtaking views of terracotta rooftops as far as you can see.
Boboli Gardents at Pitti Palace: Before you go, bathe in bug spray!! The gardens are massive but worth a visit. There are beautiful lookout points where you can see all of Florence. Make sure you snag a map, because it’s easy to get lost among the flora.
Galleria dell'Accademia: 

Home to Michelangelo’s Statue of David.
Porcellino: Legend has it, you can ensure your return to Florence by rubbing his snout.
Mercato Centrale Firenze: Have your pick of some of the most delicious, authentic Italian food in this semi-swanky food court. There are a number of different vendors, so it may be difficult to make selections. That’s why we suggest sharing a few small plates so you don’t have to choose between vendors.
Scuola del Cuoio, otherwise known as the Leather School in Santa Croce: The school has been operating as a leather laboratory since the second world war, and it’s here that you can learn about the history of leather work in Florence—and ensure that whatever you’re buying is authentic leather (unlike some of the shops in the San Lorenzo Market—if you’re shopping there…haggle).

If you’re hungry for…

Pizza: Gusta Pizza
Gelato: Perché no!