San Gimignano

Before relating today's outing I will finish off the festival. We did return to the main town but found proceedings a little flat. As we had walked through Old Colle we had noticed a gathering of folk...so decided to return. It was definitely the place to be. A communal barbecue was in full swing at the main piazza, with an eager crowd waiting in line for their share. Soon a 10 piece band with 3 female singers began to play an hour long bracket. We perched ourselves on two outside bar stools wth our wine and were most entertained. A fun night with the locals.

San Gimignano. This town is mentioned in EVERY account of what to see in Tuscany. This would usually put me off immediately, but as the town was only 1/2 hr by local bus from where we are staying...silly not to do it. The bus deposits you outside the city walls. The immediate views were straight from the brochures...ridiculously beautiful. Lana and I agree that if they simply had the views and a restaurant to enjoy them from, that would be worth the visit alone.

However we did venture inside the walls to the medieval town. I immediately thought of Mont St Michel with slightly wider streets. The location and colour of the stonework reminiscent of Gordes, France. Lana had expected a castle only, so this complete town was a pleasant surprise to her. Great shopping! We decided to forgo the three Museums of Torture, but did visit the main church with its extensive and well preserved frescoes. We found the depictions of life in pergatory for sinners, just a little too well preserved!!

So we wandered, shopped, ate, drank and had a thoroughly pleasant day. Returning to lower Colle we visited the supermarket and then headed to the tunnel and the lift. Lana assembled a great platter of goodies that we had bought at the market yesterday. A quiet night in.

We were there!

 

 

Our dinner.

 

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