We are doing a cycling trip in June/July through Tuscany and will be going through the towns of Greve, Certaldo, San Gimignano & Volterra. From Volterra we'll be taking public transport back to Lucca. I'd be interested in hearing about 'different' things that folk have found to do/visit in these various towns including any great restaurants /cafes /gelato shops you may have eaten at.
We are also wanting to do a cooking course when we are in San Gimignano - does anyone have any recommendations?

In Greve there is the Cantine where you can get a wine card and sample numerous wines (automated system).
http://www.lecantine.it/cantineUtente/index.php

Terrific gelato just off Piazza Cisterna in San Gim.--have the Vernaccia flavor.

Thanks kybourbon & bobthenavigator - I have made a note of both

San G is also known for it's Vernaccia wine.
http://www.sangimignano.com/sghomei.htm

>>>From Volterra we'll be taking public transport back to Lucca.<<<

Will you need to transport bikes? Volterra is only served by bus.

The 2 years in a row World Champion gelateria is on the main square in San Gimignano. It really was a step above all the other gelato we had during our recent 2 weeks in Tuscany. I don't remember the name but the "World Champion" banner is over the door. You can't miss it. It's probably the place bobthenavigator mentioned.

Thanks kybourbon for the heads up re the wine - I hadn't heard of Vernaccia so will be interested in tasting some. Do you perhaps know the drinking age in Italy?
Re bikes - fortunately we're leaving them in Volterra.

Sharona - yes, I think it's the same place that bobthenavigator mentions as I googled it and the shop is "Gelateria di Piazza" at Piazza Cisterna. Thanks.

Some very nice places to eat in the main piazza in Greve; work off the calories on the short uphill spin to the tiny village of Montefioralle, birthplace of Amerigo Vespucci.

In Volterra, we have fond memories of lingering over an evening of gelato, pastries with a nightcap or two involving gin at L'Incontro.......

And yes,we did make it to the gelateria in Piazza Cisterna in San Gimignano; the queue is always reassuring that that your wait will not be in vain.

>>>Do you perhaps know the drinking age in Italy?<<<

Birth?

Excellent suggestion for gelato in San Gim! Can't miss the neon signs above the door. Have searched far and wide for better, no luck.

Thanks for all these suggestions and kybourbon - you're probably right about the age
Anyone have any suggestions for Lucca?

Eat at Buca di San Antonio---book ahead

gee whiz bobthenavigator - you really are a mine of information. Thanks a mill!

Further to my initial post, we have decided that due to time constraints we should probably get a taxi from Volterra to Pisa. Has anyone used taxis on this route and if so, do you remember the name of the taxi / company? and were they timeous in their arrival to collect you?

A transfer between Pisa/Volterra will cost about 150€. What exactly is your itinerary? I don't quite get what you are trying to do.

Kybourbon - We are cycling from Greve, through various towns, finishing in Volterra. We were initially going to go straight from Volterra to Lucca but have since decided to do a quick whistle stop of a few hours in Pisa before continuing on to Lucca hence us now looking at a taxi as transport from Volterra instead of local transport. We will only take the taxi as far as Pisa and then hop on a train to make our way to Lucca. I should have mentioned in my previous post that our stop in Pisa would be on our way through to Lucca. On re-reading my post, I can see the lack of clarity - my apologies.

To backtrack slightly, the world champion ice cream maker (2006-2009) in San Gimignano is Gelateria Dondoli,

In the same square is Gelateria del Olmo which I prefer.

Don't take my word for it, try both.

You might reconsider a taxi all the way to Pisa from Volterra. You can taxi or bus to nearby Volterra Saline train station (6 miles from Volterra. Here's the bus schedule for Volterra/Volterra Saline.
http://www.cpt.pisa.it/orare/extra/E790E_FR.pdf

Sundays there is only one bus.
http://www.cpt.pisa.it/orare/extra/E790E_FS.pdf

From Saline, you can catch the train to Pisa (cost is about 7€). There is only one train (departs at 2:56)that doesn't require a change in Cecina. Travel time is about 1:45 even with changes in Cecina. You need to check schedules on Trenitalia. Pisa to Lucca is only 25-30 minutes by train with the last departure about at 9:50 (3€). There is also Lazzi bus that departs Pisa airport (5 minutes from Pisa Centrale by train) 9pm to Lucca.
http://www.pisa-airport.com/aeroporto_di_pisa_197.html