Our selection of day trips and activities near Barbialla
Florence
You could really devote more than one day to the sights of this beautiful city. To start – have some gelato in Piazza Duomo, visit the art galleries of Uffizi and the Accademia and wander across Ponte Vecchio. Taste a high-quality coffee at the Ditta Artigianale in Via dei Neri, then have a walk at the Parco delle Cascine, along the Arno river. And, on the way to Fiesole, don’t forget to stop at our farm restaurant: Le Lune Ristorante nel Vivaio!
Siena
The rival of Florence for many centuries, Siena is home to one of the oldest banks in the world (Monte dei Paschi, founded in 1472) and is filled with gorgeous red bricked architecture. Its magnificent Duomo has a must-to-see mosaic floor. Siena holds a famous, no holds barred horse race called the Palio in the central square (Il Campo) on July 2 and August 16.
Volterra
A unique and imposing village, where alabaster (a peculiar form of gypsum) is mined. The Roman ruins are a must-see and we highly suggest a walk to all the gates of the village, some of which have sections dating back to the Etruscan period.
San Gimignano
Dominated by numerous towers, the nearby town of San Gimignano is a breathtaking village, though it can get quite crowded by tourists. Make sure to wander off the main street to get a sense of the town’s charm. We suggest a visit to Galleria Continua, one of Italy’s most important contemporary art galleries. Don’t miss an Ice Cream at Dondoli’s (located in the Cisterna square): it’s probably one of the best gelaterie in Tuscany. Restaurant suggested from our guests: Cum Quibus.
Certaldo Alto
Certaldo’s pride and joy is the famous Italian poet Boccaccio, writer of the Decameron, and everyone in the town centre seems to have a favorite anecdote about the mischievous writer. The historic centre is set on a hill overlooking the new town where you need to park. Take the funiculare to the top or walk up the short but steep path through the olive groves. During the second week of July you can see it under the magic light of Mercantia, one of the biggest Street Art Festivals in Italy.
Parco Fluviale Alta Val d’Elsa
It’s a four-kilometer walk along the Elsa River. There’s plenty to do for everyone: children can have fun crossing the river jumping from stone to stone, fishermen can try their luck with carps and chubs, and the whole family can jump into the freezing, amazing water. Some spots also have natural pools. There are also a few tables for pic-nic (though you must be there very early to catch one!). We suggest to avoid summer weekends: it can be very crowded with locals. Exit Colle Val d’Elsa on the Highway Firenze - Siena (about 40-minute driving from Barbialla), then follow the signs for the park.
Lucca
A walled city located a 1.5-hour drive away, Lucca is effortlessly charming. It has a renowned antiques market on the 2nd Saturday and 3rd Sunday of the month. We highly suggest beginning your visit with a walk or ride around the walls surrounding the historic centre; bicycle hire shops are located everywhere throughout town. The San Martino cathedral hosts the “Volto Santo” a famous wooden crucifix. Lucca is also home to an important Italian comics fair: Lucca Comics (first days of November). Restaurant suggested from our guests: Osteria Baralla in Via dell’Anfiteatro.
Livorno
Otherwise known as Leghorn, this is where Tuscans themselves go for a day trip. Unpretentious, bustling and vibrant, Livorno is a true port town, with a promenade along the beach and a sensational fish market – get there nice and early. Don’t forget to try the local specialità – ponce – a coffee with rum and lemon. For beer lovers, the Bad Elf is a good choice.
Pisa
The Leaning Tower, need we say more? But there is more to Pisa, it is a lovely university town set along the river and very pleasant to explore. One nice square/market is called Piazza delle Vettovaglie. For beer lovers, you can’t miss a visit to the Orzo Bruno pub (Via delle Case Dipinte, 6/8), an amazing local microbrewery.
San Miniato
A local village with fantastic charm, this town is best experienced on foot. Almost every Sunday you can run into the Slow Food market or antiques market. Stop into Il Cantuccio di Federigo for a tasty sweet snack and a bottle of delicious vin santo. Or try the restaurant from the Michelin guide; Pepe Nero. The grassy piazza outside of the main tower is a great spot for a picnic at sunset.
Monteriggioni
This is a rediscovered walled village visible from the road to Siena. Used for housing sheep in the 1960s, Monteriggioni is a delightful, though touristy, village to explore. We warmly recommend stopping off at Bar dell'Orso (just after exiting the highway) for a bite to eat and to visit the Medieval museum, where you can try on a real armor! In July Monteriggioni hosts a medieval Festival that is definitely worth a visit.
Thermal Baths
Terme della Via Francigena in Gambassi is the closest thermal bath to Barbialla. Terme di Casciana is pretty close as well. Our favorite thermal bath though, is San Giovanni di Rapolano, one hour and a half drive, just past Siena on the way to Arezzo. There are also many free outdoor hot springs about 2-3 hours driving, at Saturnia and Petriolo.
Beaches
To get to the nearest beaches, you need to travel to Livorno on the FI-PI-LI highway. There are rocky beaches along the coast road, just south of Livorno. Alternatively, you can travel further afield for sandy beaches. To reach them, you need leave the FI-PI-LI at Collesalvetti and head south towards Roma/Grosseto. There are nice beaches either south of Donoratico or south of San Vincenzo (Baratti). In Baratti there’s an archeological site with a nice workshop for kids. We recommend the food at Zanzibar or at Piombino, and a visit to the town of Bolgheri.
Our suggestions for mixing and mingling
Most of the locations described above are close to each other and it is easy to combine multiple destinations within a day trip. Would you like to visit a medieval town and have a wine tasting afterwards? Would you like to try one of the diners we recommend and still be able to visit one of the cities in the area? Most likely, you can do it! We recommend looking up the locations on google maps, to help you plan your route, and we are always happy to assist you.