OVERVIEW: San Gimignano is one of the best towns I have ever visited.  It is a breathtaking walled city tucked in the hills of Tuscany.  It is one of those towns that your pictures can’t capture the absolute beauty.  It doesn’t have any tourist attractions so your sole purpose is to just be in the moment.  Walk around the streets, look into the small churches, have expresso in a café, take a siesta, then enjoy a great meal with some Chianti at an outdoor restaurant.  You absolutely MUST stay the night because once the crowds leave for the day you can see how truly amazing the town is when you are among the locals. 

 

The only touristy thing you must do is climb Torre Grossa to get the most unbelievable views of Tuscany.  This town once had 72 towers but sadly only 14 of them remain.

 

 

Throughout the town the main streets are lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes.  There are also beautiful wine stores in stone buildings that offer wine tastings throughout the day featuring local wines.  They welcome families and some even provide fresh grape juice made from local grapes.  They were very helpful in shipping us home a variety of Tuscan Chianti.  It is honestly one of my all-time favorite towns and everyone should make sure they visit if they are in Tuscany.  It will make you question whether you could picture yourself living in a Tuscan town some day.