Volterra is a beautiful walled hilltop town in central Tuscany. Less well known than other nearby medieval towns like San Gimignano, there are fewer tourists, giving it a more relaxed feel.

The town offers spectacular views over the surrounding countryside, and it is just an hour’s drive from Siena, and around 90 mins or less from Pisa, Florence, and Lucca. If you fancy a trip to the beach, the coast is just under an hour away by car.

That said, there is a lot to see and do in Volterra itself, especially for art and history buffs; the town is a haven of Etruscan, Roman, Medieval, and Renaissance art and architecture. Points of interest include the Piazza dei Priori, Roman theatre, Medici fortress, and the Etruscan museum.

Teatro del Silenzio

The Teatro del Silenzio is an amphitheatre on the outskirts of Lajatico (20 km from Volterra), the hometown of Andrea Bocelli. Bocelli played a big role in the construction of the venue, which opened in 2006 and hosts his annual homecoming concert every year around the end of July.

The event is a special one as it is the tenor himself who decides on the theme, which changes year to year. Some years a full opera is performed, while others a more traditional concert is held, where Bocelli sings a selection of his own songs and favourite arias, often accompanied by famous special guests.