San Gimignano, Tuscany June 2 to 8

Saturday we flew back to Rome. We picked up our rental car and headed to San Gimignàno. We were met outside the town's walls as there is limited automobile access to the inside. Our apartment agent directed us to the apartment and helped get our voluminous luggage up 3 very long floors of stairs. Then the agent directed us to the garage outside the walls.

Our apartment was in the renovated ruins of one of the town's towers. It was a spectacular large contemporary with 3 bedrooms, living room, den, huge dining room, large kitchen, and rooftop terrace. It had great views of the surrounding fields and hills from the rooftop terrace and the Piazza di Cisterna which is the main piazza from the living room. The town itself is composed of charming narrow streets and passageways.

Monday we drove to Chianti. On the way, we stopped in the charming town of Greve in Chianti. We had lunch at a restaurant on a rural road with wonderful views of the surrounding countryside. On Wednesday we drove Cortona, a pretty hilltop town with expansive views and quaint streets. We then had lunch at the spectacular Michelin one-star restaurant of the Relais Il Falconiere, We ate on the beautiful terrace overlooking the spectacular countryside. We started with their own prosecco and were very impressed by its incredible quality. The rest of the meal was equally impressive.

On Thursday, the 6th, we made a day trip to Florence, which Dean had never visited. We wandered the streets, shopped, and had a fabulous lunch at Cantinetta Antinori. Dean found a beautiful blazer and pair of pants at Massimo Dutti.

Click the following link for this week’s photos Tuscany photos