San Gimignano Stories

From Alessandria, we journeyed to the Chianti region of Tuscany, where we stayed just outside the medieval hilltop town of San Gimignano. We rented a charming apartment in a beautifully restored farmhouse, surrounded by picturesque vineyards. The first day, we set out for San Gimignano with plans for lunch, but the trip turned into an unexpected adventure. The roads leading into town were congested, and finding parking was nearly impossible. We decided to change our plans and stopped at a restaurant we discovered on our way back. Though it looked somewhat industrial from the outside, the inside revealed a cozy eatery serving delicious food and local wines.

Determined to explore San Gimignano, we tried again the next day. This time, we arrived early enough to secure a parking spot and ventured into the historic center. We enjoyed a relaxing coffee and pastries in the cool morning air before delving into the town’s rich history. San Gimignano, with its charming old town and ancient architecture, is a popular tourist destination and can get quite crowded. However, its historical allure and stunning views make it worth the visit.

Another highlight of our Tuscan adventure was a trip to Siena, one of the most famous walled towns in Tuscany. Having spent six weeks in Siena years ago, I was excited to revisit and stroll down memory lane. While Siena was lively, it was much less crowded than usual due to the pandemic and its impact on international tourism. Normally bustling with English-speaking visitors, Tuscany was quieter during our stay, and we barely encountered other native English speakers. After a pleasant wander around Siena and a coffee in the Campo, we returned to our peaceful apartment amid the vines.

After five delightful days in Tuscany, it was time to pack up and head to our next destination: Sulmona in the Abruzzo region.