Blogs from San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

11/6/2019 – San Gimignano Deze middag korte verplaatsing van Siena naar San Gimignano. Prachtig ommuurd Middeleeuws stadje met de 14 torens. Bovenop de hoogste top van een heuvelachtig gebied omgeven door wijn- en olijfgaarden. Gesticht hoe kan het hier anders door de Etrusken een paar eeuwen voor onze tijdrekening. Ooit was het zo rijk dat er 72 van die torens hier bijeen stonden. Prestige projecten, tevens woon- en verdedigingstorens van concurerende Middeleeuwse families rijk geworden van de safraanhandel. Nu leven ze er van de toeristen dagelijks met busladingen aangevoerd.... read more

Ahhhhhh Tuscany. After massive crowds in Roma due to the convergance of three holidays (Roma national birthday, Italian liberation Day and labor day, unbeknownst to us in full), we have arrived in Tuscany toquiet and peace and vistas for which there are no words that can adequately describe the beauty. I looked out and thought these are all those pictures and colors that I've loved looking at throughout the years and now I'm part of the picture! Che bellisimo!! A steep harrowing walk to Certalda Alte.,A high old town so typical of Tuscan towns on a hilltop with Towers looking over the valley. Of course we had to walk the steep incline rather than take the funicula. My big toes even hurt from coming down the hill and having to brace myself against the steepness. Our ... read more

One thing we learned about each other while traveling together, roller bags in tow, is that we both roll with no matter what misadventures come our way. Our short train ride to San Gimigniano got lengthened with a side trip to Lucca because we got on the wrong train (or at least the wrong direction from Florence). At least we got to see Pisa, though there were no leaning towers in view. The trains are fast and comfortable so we relaxed and made friends with fellow travelers along the way. Arriving late, at sunset, we were lucky to be picked up by our Airbnb host at the train station, probably because he wanted to go out to dinner with his own family. Antonio owns a bunch of apartments, a vineyard (all grapes already picked) and an ... read more

Geo: 43.4703, 11.0438Today, we took an excursion from Florence to the Tuscan countryside, to the medieval village of San Gimignano. During the Renaissance, the rival Guelph and Ghibelline political factions flexed their muscles by constructing tall towers throughout San Gimignano; 14 of those towers survive today.We then visited the Tenuta Torciano Winery in the Tuscan countryside, for the taste of many wines, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Incredible experience!... read more

We said goodbye to Laura our host at il monchetta b&b, after giving her a small gift to thank her for looking after us so well, to venture on the next stage of our trip which began with a drive back through Marche and into Tuscany where we stumbled upon a lovely lakeside town: Passignano Sul Trasimeno which means by the Trasimeno lake. Surprisingly again an old sector with this time 'Assisi like' architecture: probably Florence or Pisa style. As we do, we wandered here and there taking heaps of photos and checking out any 'vendesi' signs! Michael reckons we found a good one with views over the lake but we don't know how much: yet. Downside was expensive coffee! 2euros each where most places were 1 or 1:50. Upside: cafes and restaurants everywhere like st ... read more