Day 12 April 22 San Gimignano, Italy

We left our home base this morning and headed to the town nearest us, San Gimignano.  Because it is so close we left it for today since it is Sunday and driving to another hill town would be iffy since most of the shops might be closed.  What a treat San Gimignano is!  This is by far the most complete and inviting of the hill towns we have visited so far.  It has maintained it wonderful connection to the past through is well preserved buildings and plazas.  We climbed to the top of one towers where we had a panoramic view of the surrounding Tuscan landscape.  It was really quite spectacular.  While the town was not crowded the parking lots were.  During the height of the tourist season parking must be a nightmare.  After getting lunch in town we were off to explore the Chianti region which is within about 30 miles.  We drove through a number of the small towns that collectively produce the famous Chianti Classico wines this area is famous for.  I have been devouring some of their finest produce at dinners here at our villa.  These towns include Greve, Montefioralle, Panzano and Castellina.  It was a nice drive since these towns are mostly accessed through smaller backroads and we could see some of the local color as we passed by.  Castellina has a tunnel where soldiers would walk their guard duty and watch for trouble from the windows.    
I did manage to select the wrong destination in the GPS and after a quick side trip to Firenze (Florence)  we were back on track.   Italian drivers go fast and are not bashful about speeding right up to your bumper and staying there until either they can get around or you pull over.   My navigatrix is very patient which is helpful as there are so many things going on so fast requiring your full attention since the street signs and road directions in Italian mean nothing to you.

Chris - I love Florence, I just hadn't planned on going, particularly since we didn't even stop for gelato  and they have some of the best I've ever had! Speaking of gelato...I had it for breakfast and after lunch today since we were in the town that had the world's best. Well, that's what the name said as well as the awards and pictures on the walls....and it was delicious!! Thank heavens for all the walking and that I found a tower we could climb with over 200 steps.
I love the walled town of San Gimignano so authentic and gorgeous with all the towers. At one time it had as many as 72 towers and is currently called the "Manhattan of Tuscany"as it preserved 13 of its noble towers, giving it a "skyscraper" skyline. It reminds me of a fortress, yet its severe lines are softened by its Renaissance frescoes and numerous flowering sprays. The lilac in bloom was particularly beautiful. I imagine in summer with all the flowers blooming it is spectacular...but also a madhouse with tourist. There were a lot of shops, particularly leather, pottery and jewelry, but they somewhat blended into the walls and it didn't have a terrible "touristy" feel. I couldn't believe how much less leather bags were than home and they were gorgeous. I did buy a small shoulder carry bag to help get our stuff home, I had to do it.

Tomorrow - Siena area