Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
You'll need to go to Colle di Val d'Elsa (€2.75, 50 minutes, four daily) to catch con-
necting bus services to San Gimignano (€3.40, 35 minutes, four daily) and Siena (€3.40,
two hours, four daily). For Florence, you'll need only one ticket (€8.35, two hours, three
to four daily) but you'll usually have to change buses at Colle di Val d'Elsa. Note that all
bus services are greatly reduced on Sundays.
CAR & MOTORCYCLE
Volterra is accessed via the SR68, which runs between Cecina on the coast and Colle di
Val d'Elsa, just off the Siena-Florence superstrada.
A ZTL applies in the historic centre. The most convenient car park is beneath Piazza
Martiri della Libertà (per hour/day €1.50/11), but there are other car parks around the cir-
cumference - P5, P6 and P8 are free. Don't park in P5 overnight on Friday, as the city's
weekly produce market is held there on Saturday morning.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Val d'Orcia & Val di Chiana
These two valleys are showcases of classic Tuscan scenery. In fact, the landscape of the
Val d'Orcia is so magnificent that it is protected as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Added
enticement is provided by the local food and wine on offer, which is among the best in
Italy.
Montalcino
POP 5155
This medieval hill town is known throughout the world for its coveted wine, Brunello. In
February each year, the new vintage is celebrated at
Benvenuto Brunello
, a weekend of tast-
ings and award presentations organised by the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino
(
www.consorziobrunellodimontalcino.it
)
, the association of local producers.
Sights
The main activity in town is visiting
enoteche
. For non-alcoholic diversion, consider pop-
ping into the modest
Museo Civico e Diocesano d'Arte Sacra
(
0577 84 60 14; Via Ricasoli 31;
