Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 0588 8 66 13;
www.ostellovolterra.it
; Via del Teatro 4, Località San Girolamo; dm €16-20, B&B s
€48-53, B&B d €62-69; mid-Mar-Oct; )
Opened in 2009 after a major renovation, this
excellent private hostel occupies a 13th-century monastery complete with a frescoed re-
fectory where breakfast is served. Airy rooms overlook the cloisters and have good beds
and bathrooms; dorms sleep up to six. Breakfast (for those in dorms) costs €6.
The hostel is located outside town, near the hospital, but the historic centre is only a
30-minute (albeit steep) walk away and local buses from Piazza Martiri della Libertà stop
right outside the entrance (€1). Reception is open 8am to noon and 5pm to 11pm, but of-
ten stays open for the full day in high summer.
Eating & Drinking
La Carabaccia
MAP
TUSCAN
€
GOOGLE MAP
( 0588 8 62 39;
www.lacarabacciavolterra.it
; Piazza XX Settembre 4-5; meals €20; noon-2.30pm &
7.30-9.30pm, closed Mon Oct-Easter; )
Sisters Sara, Lalla and Patrizia have put their heart
and soul into this fantastic trattoria, which is the city's best lunch option. Named after a
humble Tuscan vegetable soup, it has a small menu that changes daily according to what
local producers are offering and always has vegetarian options. Sit in the rustic interior or
on the front terrace.
L'Incontro
(Via G Matteotti 18; sandwiches €2.50-3.50; 6.30am-1am Thu-Tue)
L'Incontro's rear
salone
(room) is a great spot to grab a quick antipasto plate or
panino
for lunch, and its front bar
area is always crowded with locals enjoying a coffee or
aperitivo
. The house-baked bis-
cuits are noteworthy - try the chewy and nutty
brutti mai buoni
('ugly but good') or its
alabaster-coloured version,
ossi di morto
(bones of the dead).
CAFE
€
Ristorante-Enoteca Del Duca
MAP
TUSCAN
€€
GOOGLE MAP
( 0588 8 15 10;
www.enoteca-delduca-ristorante.it
;
Via di Castello 2; 5-course tasting menus €45;
12.30-2.30pm & 7.30-10pm)
Volterra's only fine-dining establishment serves traditional
Tuscan dishes in its vaulted dining areas and lovely rear courtyard. It has an excellent
wine list - not surprising considering the owner has his own vineyard.
