Volterra Italy

Yes, Volterra is worth your time, as is San Gimignano, which is on the way to Volterra. In Volterra, other than many, many shops selling alabaster, you'll also find a very good Etruscan museum and some fine remains of a Roman amphitheatre just outside the town walls to the north. Enjoy!

Yup, Volterra is def. worth a visit.

Don't know of a vendor/guide who provides day trips to Volterra, but check w/ your Siena hotel, as they most likely would. Definitely worth seeing one of our favorite Tuscany memories. The view of Volterra on the approach is fabulous, and the view of the Tuscan hills from Volterra is incredible. Don't miss it. If you don't find an organized day trip, maybe rent a car for a day and take in both Volterra and SanG.

Totally agree with the others it's well worthwhile. Renting a car and driving is simplest, and makes it very easy to do both San Gimignano and Volterra in the same day. Ideas in photographic form: http://www.lodgephoto.com/galleries/italy-tuscany-volterra/ The cliffs ("Balze") are spectacular views. The town itself is also quite charming, as is the landscape along the way. The other advantage of renting a car is that you can stop along the way to take photos.

Jason, are you looking for an organized tour? Will you have a car? We stayed in Siena and drove to Volterra for half a day. We enjoyed it a lot. We hired a private tour guide for a tour in Volterra; her name is Annie Adair & we saw her on Rick Steves' show that included Volterra. She is an ex-pat now living in Volterra and her tour was excellent; she tailored the tour to our interests and she really brought the town to life. Here's a link to information about her & her e-mail address is contained in the article as well. Volterra is a great town and I also recommend visiting the Etuscan Museum. Have a great time.

Some Volterra tips I posted in another thread.
Web&Wine has some awesome zucchini bruschetta and prices are decent. Also, across the street there's a cool little bronze workshop. Owner is friendly and will BS with you. Prices are about average with the rest of town. Montagnani Spartaco I believe is the name of the shop. Both on Via Porta del Arco. The Etruscan arch is a couple hundred feet down the street. Avoid buying food/caffe in Piazza dei Priori. Expensive and not as good as other parts of town. Parking: Besides the #2 lot that the RS book has as a free lot, #6 is free also. Just be sure you don't park in spots reserved for emergency vehicles. There are signs in English. If you'll be there on a Sat. don't park in lots 4 or 5. Market day. Inside Chiesa San Francesco there is the Cappella della Croce with some interesting frescoes. Teatro Romano- it's not much $ to get in but you don't get a whole lot more than you do from the view above on Via Mandorlo. Some informational plaques and a bit closer view is all you get. The one hour RS walking tour. It was ok. Pretty much all the same info you get from the tour book. There's an alabaster shop right across from the alabaster museum that features (functional) guitars, drums, flutes etc made from alabaster. I thought that was pretty cool. Nice departure from all the usual plates, statues etc. Also, shop around for the alabaster souveniers. Prices vary.

We very much enjoyed the Etruscan museum in Volterra. Few of the exhibits have English signs/explanations but the audio guide is available in English and excellent.