Colle di Val d'Elsa

The name Colle di Val d'Elsa means "Hill of Elsa Valley". The city is renowned for the production of crystal glassware. This takes part in the lower part of town. The oldest part of the town is the "colle alta", the upper part, with a well-preserved medieval center.

Colle di Val d'Elsa is about 20 km northwest of Siena You can reach it by taking a train from Florence or Siena to the nearby station of Poggibonsi and then a bus.

Splurge

• Ristorante Arnolfo

  phone: +39 0577 920549
  address: Via XX Settembre 50
  Consistently rated one of Italy's best restaurants, Arnolfo draws heavily on local products. A la carte or fixed menu, but don't expect to pay much less than €150 per person. Also has four bedrooms if you are driving and also want to drink. (€200 for a double)

• Hotel Arnolfo

  phone: +39 0577 922020
  address: Via F. Campana 8
  Three-star hotel with 32 rooms.

• Hotel Villa Belvedere

  address: Loc. Belvedere - Via Senese
  Three-star hotel with 15 rooms in an 18th-century villa. Swimming pool. Also offers a cooking school.

Colle di Val d'Esta is surrounded by some fascinating cities. Apart from the major cities in the area of Siena and Florence it is just a short trip by car to the towers of San Gimignano and the alabaster-producing city of Volterra.