SAN GIMIGNANO -Travel To Tuscany
We were going to San Gimignano. In the Central Tuscany Region. Plenty of Tuscany art and of course, history. Awaking to the sunrise, the fog misting over the hills and the smell of Italian coffee brewing was just like a dream. But, this was reality! Our driver arrived. San Gimignano is known for the “city of beautiful towers”. As you start walking towards the main street you start to see some of the towers. They were built in the 13th and 14th century. Originally there were 76 of them but only 14 are still standing today. Walking up Via San Giovanni, there were some of the most unique and beautiful little shops, cafes, and bakeries. We could see the Torre Grossa. We stopped at an artist shop. He was charming, soft spoken and spoke a little English. His watercolors of the Tuscan landscape were beautiful. There were photos of the streets of San Gimignano. He asked about our interest in art and took us all back to his studio and showed us what he was working on. And painted for us. It was so personal and wonderful to watch his talent. We have some beautiful originals. As we approached Torre Grossa we ventured in and out of a lot of little shops. Buying handmade glass necklaces. Then the aroma of fresh baked breads and Italian pastries came upon us. My husband had to stop. All the little Italian women baking and laughing were more than happy to help us decide what to order. In only Italian did they tell us what was all just made fresh that morning. Everything. After our snack of an anise biscotti for me, with an Americano, a small loaf of still warm, fresh baked Italian bread with fresh mozzarella and salami for my husband, and our daughters first delicious taste of gelato we continued on our walk to the center of town. As we approached the tower you are amazed with the age and the condition. The view from the tower is just spectacular. The Rocca which is to the left of the tower is a public garden filled with fig and olive trees. And also has wonderful views of the vineyards. A great place for a picnic. There are quite a few little museums. Check out the churches. They house a lot of ancient art. Our kids found San Gimignano torture museum. Something for everyone! On the other side of the tower the other main street is Via San Matteo. You can’t miss this shopping section. This is were the locals shop and vend. They sell food, wine, clothes all Tuscans finest products. While walking through San Gimignano I noticed something so unique. The doors. The doors in Italy are just beautiful. The wood that they are made out of, the carvings on them and with some the immenseness of them. The windows are picturesque. They all have an array of plants and flowers hanging down with their laundry of the day drying. It was quite a day.
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