View From the Top

I take back what I said about the view in Siena. It was great and all, but it's nothing compared to what San Gimagnino provides.

It's no easy task getting here though. The train doesn't go directly to it, so I ear forced to try taking the bus for the first time. Nothing too intimidating about that, except for the fact that the bus didn't show up on time. So I was left there standing, wondering if I'd have to just spend the rest of the day in Siena. It did arrive eventually though, about 15 minutes later. Thankfully..

The drive there was a short but extremely beautiful one. It takes you through the thick of Tuscany, passing by hills and vineyards along the way. After an hour of twisting and turning through the hills, the bus suddenly stops in front of a great fortress wall. Just like that, you're there at San Gimignano.

The main gates of the city

Like its neighbor Siena, San Gimignano is all about ups and downs. Within its city walls are old cobblestone streets that rise and fall with he contours of the countryside. It has a great feel about it since, again like Siena, there are no vehicles within the city walls. Superior though is its pinnacles. San Gimignano has about a dozen towers scattered about the city.

One of the many towers

From clocks to bell towers, they each provide an amazing vantage point. The one with public access is the campanile of the cathedral. It's the highest of them all and provides a superb view of the Tuscan landscape, if you don't get vertigo. I won't claim it to be the best view, since I was proved wrong within a couple of hours just by going from Siena to San Gimignano.

A view from the tallest tower

Some other towers from the top

The duomo square

It's not free though from the tourists despite its obscure location. Still although the main streets can get busy, it never feels crowded like the others. It's not hard to simply take a turn and find you by yourself walking through these ancient streets.

In general though it's (relatively) quiet, and nice place to just take it slow with a walk or a nice meal. Away from the majority of the tourists, it's like a little getaway within a vacation.