Sunday, July 10, 2011

San Gimignano - Central Tuscany

Our "entertaining" guide, Stephanie, and great driver, Carlo, take us up to San Gimignano one afternoon. San Gim. is 334 metres above sea level on the site of a small Etruscan settlement dating from the Hellenistic period (Third to Second Century B.C.).
It is surrounded by lovely "Tuscan" views
of lush fertile fields
mid Spring in Tuscany - wonderful!!.
*****
I think we entered this "walled" town via Porta San Givionni - above
***** we wandered off down a stone lane
and looked back up at San Gim. and her towers
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little balconies enable the inhabitants
*****
to check out the surrounding vineyards.
***** Once again we were lucky - not many other "touristers" in town not sure how Stephanie arranges our quiet time in these popular towns,
but she is good!
A couple of stuffed wild boar below
a favourite on a Tuscan menu - we did go in and sample the wild boar salami - very powerful one could say.
*****
San Gimignano has 14 medieval towers left
of the original 76 !
These windowless towers were built to serve both as private fortresses and symbols of their owners wealth. Ah people - no - mainly our mob. Off for a walk around the top of the walls The Brig finds a "harpist"
*****
so peaceful in these gardens
and more towers some of the buildings and fields outside the walls
and plenty of potted colour around town.
******
On our drive back to Borgo San Luigi - Stephanie advises that we should meet again at 6pm as she has organised a trip for predinner drinks at a local Vineyard.
*****
Of course no one refused this offer from our knowledgeable "leader"
***** We all turn up at the appointed hour, and Carlo drives us through the Elsa Valley, another area blessed by nature - (tuscan talk). to a delighful place - which yes produces "Chianti"
called - Tenuta Bichi Borghesi, in Scorgiano. our tasting venue - is another stable
*****
a very grand one really - look at the marble troughs and "hay" feeders on the right wall.
***** We taste, we like and we buy!!!
***** The vineyard's dog sees us out of his territory with our purchases, back to Borgo San Luigi for dinner and more laughs, then off to Siena the next morning.

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