Today we all took our car sickness tablets in good time and hightailed it to San Gimignano for lunch after Maggie’s morning sleep. It was a cracker of a day – after some morning fog we finally got a day without wind which has been constantly blowing gale force since Sunday afternoon.
I’d heard so much about this place – many people had raved about its beauty and bout did it not disappoint! Known as Medieval Manhattan in its day families would compete with rivalling wealth building the highest tower. It was as pretty as a picture and filled to the brim with tourists. I can’t imagine how busy this place would be in high summer.
Gorgeous shops filled with linens and ceramics, superior deli goods and wines and all things pig. I got this apron when I was in Lucca in navy blue (with those fancy silver straps) it’s been my one purchase from Italy for myself.
Stumbled across just a big of pig which was whacked into a hot panini. Took me all of 2.5 seconds to order one and share it with Rob. It was good – not as good as one we had in Trastevere though. I can still taste that herby roll…
Every turn there was superior people watching.
And signs of Autumn that seems to have hit in the past week.
We found a little spot for lunch in a quiet, cool courtyard away from the crowds.
Before a quiet gelato and stroll back to the carpark home again. San Gimignano what a joy you were to visit!
Have you visited San Gimignano before?
How pretty is it?
Have some pork/wild boar?
Oh it’s lovely isn’t it. We went in high summer and it was busy, but it was easy enough to find a secluded quiet pocket too. We stumbled on a gorgeous little wine bar with an incredible view over the valley and would’ve wiled away an afternoon if we didn’t have three antsy kids with us. Oh take me back! And yes enjoyed some fine pig there (and bought a gorgeous linen dress). Xx
We went in the fall and spent a couple of nights in a hotel in the centro storico. It’s quite quiet after the tour buses leave. Er… at least it was before I knocked over a glass water bottle onto the stone floor at dinner. We have a lovely print of San Gimi framed and hanging over our dining room buffet.
Ooh yea we went here. It was gorgeous but my main memory was visiting the Museum of Torture (don’t judge me!). Had to leave halfway through because I felt so sick! Wonder if it’s still there? That was 2001!
It is! Signs for it everywhere!
capturing those moments beautifully! grazie beth!
no I haven’t been there!
I love any Italian medieval village!
love the apron too!
all good! … love m:)X
Oh how I love San Gimignano (and Volterra) and porchetta – isn’t it just the perfect ‘take away’ food!
i love that apron!!!!!
Thanks Andrea – me too! Can’t wait to get it home x
I adored it. But then again I was 17 and Italy stole my heart.
I hope you get back here one day x