Colle di Val d'Elsa Holidays

Colle di Val d’Elsa is a wonderful area in the heart of Tuscany. Located between Florence and Siena it is the perfect starting point to explore everything Tuscany has to offer. Standing proud on the oldest part of a hill, the village is just a few miles from San Gimignano and Monteriggioni. Colle di Val d’Elsa is also near to the ancient Via Francigena, one of the oldest and most walked pilgrim routes, so you can set off on a hike from here.

Colle di Val d’Elsa has been known as the ‘Capital of Crystal’ for centuries as it produces almost all of Italy’s glassware. Pay a visit to the Crystal Museum to learn the tricks of the trade or watch the art of glassblowing in one of the demonstrations and workshops. Head up to the oldest part of the town, Colle Alta, where you can wander through the medieval streets and take in the historic atmosphere surrounding you. Look out to the rolling Tuscan hills with a glass of wine in hand and relax.

a woman standing in front of a mirror posing for the camera

Your plans, our expertise

Start planning your Citalia holiday by getting in touch with one of our Personal Travel Planners.

Lines open: Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 17:30 (Wednesdays from 9:30), Bank Holidays 10:00 to 16:00.

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Handpicked hotels in Colle di Val d'Elsa

Discover the real Colle di Val d'Elsa while staying in one of our carefully selected hotels

Tuscany, Tuscany Countryside

Palazzo San Lorenzo Hotel and SPA

In the heart of Tuscany in Colle di Val d’Elsa
Enjoy pure relaxation in the spa with a wealth of treatments on offer
A charming four-star hotel with modern amenities

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Flight Information

The majority of international flights arrive into Pisa airport (PSA). Direct flights to Pisa are available from Belfast, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester and Newcastle and take approximately 2 hours.

When to go

Tuscany is predominantly a summer destination, with the main tourist season generally running from April to October. Temperatures are at their hottest in July and August, this is also when Tuscany is at its busiest. However, Tuscany also enjoys a mild climate in spring and autumn with temperatures rarely going beneath 20 degrees which makes it perfect for visiting at the beginning or end of season too. The coast has wonderful sea breezes and the hilltop towns are much cooler than the lower countryside villages. The best time to visit is during the quieter season, from April to June and September to October when the weather is good, prices are a bit lower and there are fewer crowds. There are many festivals and events throughout the year in Tuscany and Easter and Christmas are always busy.

Visa Information

At the current time, British citizens do not require a visa to visit Italy.

Tipping

Whilst tipping isn’t embedded into Italian culture it is always appreciated as an acknowledgement of good service. Nowadays people generally round up a bill in a bar or cafe and leave 5-10% extra on a restaurant bill. Taxi bills are usually also rounded up.

On guided tours/excursions, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide.

On small group escorted tours, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide at the end of the tour.

Introduction to languages

The official language of Italy is Italian. English is widely spoken too, so getting by is easy.