Artisans have been handcrafting alabaster in this part of Italy for many hundreds of years. I was…read morevery happy to learn about Giuseppe Famiglietti's alabaster lab and gallery in Volterra, an Etruscan city known throughout the world for its alabaster quarries. Giuseppe's family has been producing alabaster craft for generations. Giuseppe's unique artwork is displayed and for sale in the gallery. Giuseppe's lovely wife makes jewelry with alabaster and you can even buy alabaster beads from her. The alabaster bracelets and necklaces that you see for sale in other shops around Volterra are likely made by her.

This was one of the walled cities we visited on our trip to Italy and the one we decided to stay in…read morefor the night. Volterra is a great choice, it had lots of historical sites, plenty of restaurants, and in general, it was amazing. It has an impressive view driving up from the road and looked very formidable from a distance. Be aware that there is no driving without a special permit allowed inside the walls, so you need to find parking in a lot outside. We had a nice airbnb just inside the gates and loved our late night and early morning walks around the town before it got busy. The shops, restaurants, and scenic viewpoints were fun to stroll through at our leisure. It was amazing to see the city inhabitants that keep this amazing historical town a living breathing city as they carried out their daily tasks that involved a lot of uphill walking! The labryth of cobblestone roads really add to the setting and are fun to get lost in as you visit the locals' thriving businesses.

A great living village. It's not just set up for tourists, because there are actually families…read moreliving here. There are also ancient Roman ruins on one side of town. Plenty of shops, gelato parlors, and eateries line the streets. I also saw a few banks and ATMs as well. It's very quaint and can occupy a number of hours eating and browsing.

If you find yourself wandering around the hill town of Volterra make sure you find your way to the…read moresmall, unassuming, storefront of Santa Lucia e Paletro. This little shop delivers big. If you fancy "real" olive oils and delicious wines, that is. You can purchase in bulk if you live in the area or plan to be there for a while and will be doing a lot of cooking. Fill up your jug straight from the vat. And the prices ... nothing like you'll ever see in the states. Oh, the house wines and olive oils are heavenly ... nothing like you'll ever see in the states. Pretty much heaven.