We are getting married in Volterra next summer. We have been to Tuscany before, though not specifically Volterra, and we will not have a chance to get there before the wedding. Does anyone have any suggestions about what to do in the area? We will have aprox. 30 guests staying for a week. Any thoughts are much appreciated!

What a cool place to have your wedding! Volterra is one my favorite hilltowns. While it is not the most central location, it is still an easy drive for day trips to all the lovely towns in central/south Tuscany: San Gimingnano, Colle di Val d'Elsa, Siena, Chianti country, Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano, etc. Are your guests all staying in Volterra?

Thanks! We are very excited! All our guests will be staying in the villa we rented, which is right outside of Volterra. Any thoughts about what to specifically do/see in those towns? Thanks so much!!

Mostly just walk around, absorb the scenery, and buy alabaster. Since that's the major industry of the area, you can also probably tour some workshops to see how they work the stuff. See http://www.straughan.com/italy/travel/volterra.html for a few pictures.

I'd recommend getting a guidebook on Tuscany for specifics on the towns. A book will help you decide and also give you information on getting there, parking, etc. There is way more than I can say in a short post on here.

But to whet your appetite...
Montalcino is the center of Brunello wine production, some of the finest reds in Italy. There is a charming wine bar in the base of the Fortezza, the old fortress that guarded the town.

Pienza is such a tiny jewel of a medieval town that Zeffirelli used it for the setting of the film Romeo & Juliet. It's a lovely place to just wander around in.

San Gimignano is famous for its towers, but the church is frescoed inside from one end to the other, and there are lots of local artisans now that cater to the tourist trade. Try to have dinner there one evening so you can see the town after the hordes have departed.

Also add to your list the ruined abbey of San Galgano.

PS Volterra is an old Etruscan town and there is quite a fine museum there that has some wonderful Etruscan work in it.

A beautiful city. Lots of happiness to both of
you.

Buy a copy of Top 10 Tuscany, one of the Eyewitness Top 10 Guides. It's a great source of useful info and will really help you in your planning.

Amen ! Get the TOP TEN book

I wouldn't really call it a city..it's more a small town a village. It's very quanit...nice central square. Where in Volterra are you getting married? at the villa?
There are some roman ruins right in Volterra, beautiful farmland all around (sheep in the fields with their bells tinkling - very sweet).
Some vineyards and olive farms in the area although I can't remember any by name - just stop as you drive along.

About 1 hour to the beach - nice day trip for a group if the weather is hot and another short hour to Pisa.

Siena is close enough...Montalcino though is quite a drive away. Enjoy all of Tuscany!

It's a beautiful little town - you'll love it.

>Getting married in Volterra-been there?

No, but I've done that.