We were in Chianti last month, and made a day trip to San Giminagno. We had made reservations at a recommended restaurant there for lunch, since it was our anniversary. Well, after a couple of hours there, we couldn't wait to get out! It was so crowded with tourists, and had so many really tacky souvenir shops (with things like tote bags saying "Happiness is being a grandparent" and other stuff that looked like it was made in China). We cancelled our lunch reservation, drove out of town to a lovely terrace restaurant with a beautiful view of the countryside. We had a wonderful---and relaxing---lunch. We had planned to go to Siena the next day, but thought if it was as disappointing as San Gim that we may as well go that day (as in "get it over with"). So we went, and absolutely loved it. We only wish we had had more time there! The duomo is magnificent, the shopping much more upscale (but with cheaper prices than we found in Florence), and the city is beautiful. We stayed till evening, the crowds had thinned out, and it was cooler. The next day in Radda we were talking to a local shop owner, and told him how we felt. He said that "San Gim has lost its soul, and has sold out commercially", and that it is very sad. He also said that Siena has kept "its soul", and that the Sienese are committed to keeping it. We thought it interesting that we weren't alone in our view. The next time we go back, we will spend more time in Siena. I have never seen anything on this board about anyone being disappointed in San Gim. Are we the only ones?

totally agree with you, for the reasons you states. So many other worthwhile hill towns to see in the region. And Siena, ahhhhh

Countless people don't like San G during the day (ourselves included). It's a charming city at night when the crowds are gone. There are several quaint little restaurants (more than most towns its size because of the tourist throngs).<BR><BR>We used it as a base to tour Chianti for a few days as it's easier to drive in and out of than Siena. We also like the restaurants in San G better than Siena. Agreed it's not much for shopping, but we don't tend to shop much on vacation anyways. You might want to give it another try at night as San G is very romantic to wander the cobblestone streets at night.

If you want a base for touring Chianti, there are so many charming small towns in Chianti to choose from. We stayed in Castellina in Chianti, and found it very central, as well as uncongested.

I agree - San G is much too crowded and touristy. The skyline of the towers is quite striking from below when driving into town but once there it really isn't any more charming than dozens of other towns that aren't nearly as crowded. We enjoyed the town of Montichiello a mile from our lodging. No tourists, no shopping, just a perfectly preserved, fully-walled medieval village. One restaurant, one bar, one small grocery store.

Am I missing something here? You (tourists) didn't like San Gimingnano- which you can't even bother to learn to spell properly- because it had too many tourists?<BR><BR>Don't go, for heavens' sakes. It's bound to improve!!

Different opinion here folks, we went in mid November 1999 and loved it. It even drizzled all day, but we still loved it!<BR><BR>US

Cathy: Agree that the area just inside the gates is tacky-touristy, especially (as noted) during the day. But, wander out into the neighborhoods and see the real shops that locals use and you see a much different and charming village. And, again, as noted, at night it is magical.

If you switch the cities around, then I would agree with you!! Just got back myself and I must admit, Siena was lost on me. I truly cannot "see" what everyone else seems to "see" about this town (if you see what I mean). My friend and I actually left a day earlier to go up to Bellagio instead. I will admit the food was excellant (ate at trat. D'Papie's and can't remember the other name, in the heart of the <BR>Porcupine contrada though, winner of the July Palio) but the rest, no thanks.<BR>However, I found San G. to be a wonderful little slice of Italy. The little salumaria's, the wine shops, the gelato! To each their own I guess.

Hi Cathy,<BR>while I'm sorry you didn't enjoy San Gim as much as I did I'm glad you at least had a good time in Siena! I would imagine if you had stayed in SG till evening the crowds there would have also thinned out dramatically whihc may have increased your enjoyment of the place. I loved the place but when I visited 4 years ago it was in early April & so little crowds which makes a difference. I think a few people on this board have extolled the virtues of staying overnight in SG saying it transforms into paradise once the day trippers have left. Cheers!

What did you expect? Rick Steves *found* San Gimignano a dozen years ago and it hasn't been the same since.<BR><BR>He's such a killjoy.

Lucy,<BR><BR>I have thought of this also, that if we had visited SG (Since I am being lambasted for not spelling it correctly!) in the late afternoon we would have had a different experience. However, the tacky tourist quality of many of the shops would have remained the same. And we did get off the main streets. As for being tourists ourselves, we have visited many places where we were not in the majority of the citizenship as tourists. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Ciao!

Sheila-<BR><BR>There's a big difference in tourists milling about and a dozen bus loads of tourists flooding the streets making it impossible to enjoy walking around. Plus, San G. is quite small, very contained. But, I have to admit, when those busses leave and evening approaches it is lovely and worth being there (at that moment).<BR><BR>And by the way...who cares if people spell some words incorrectly?!

Cathy, I agree with you for pretty much the same reasons. In fact I was disappointed in Florence for the same reasons. I loved Siena and wished I had made that my base instead of Florence. Sheila, you're nasty and uptight.

Trying to catch my breath-ROTFLMAO! I love it when someone corrects another for their spelling mistake and they can't even spell it correctly EITHER! Bwah,hah,hah,hah!<BR><BR>It's San Gimignano.<BR><BR>A vote for San Gimignano by the way. I was there at night. <BR><BR>Spelling Bee Winner

At least I had the right letters; I just transposed them------thanks for vindicating me! I am so glad someone else felt that way about Florence-----I didn't have the nerve to say it myself. I had always looked forward to going there, and was also disappointed. It is ultra-touristy and was so crowded when we were there---we couldn't see half of what we wanted, because of the crowds. A If we ever go back, we will go in the off-season. We couldn't get over all the "hawkers" selling crap, either, and felt like it was a major tourist trap. either. I feel like a traitor even saying this, when everyone else seems to glorify it. And I wanted to love it! Maybe my expectations were unrealistic. Lest you think we are hard to please, we are not. We are open and optimistic travelers, as a rule! Thanks for your comments----I wanted to know if we were alone in our thinking, and it looks like we are not! Ciao!

Ha, ha it is so funny to read these complaints. You are all tourists yourselves, believe it or not!! When you go to a place and complain because it is crowded, you are there too!!<BR>So it is just the other tourists that shouldn't be there, just you?<BR>If you don't want other tourists around you, go off the beaten path. They are just like you, you are all there for the same reason, touring.

Our only disappointment with San Gimignano was that we didn't see it. <BR><BR>We did see it from afar, while driving from Siena to Volterra but on the day were going to try to actually visit it -- Saturday, on our way from Siena to Vernazza -- it was SO mobbed with traffic that we decided against it. <BR><BR>Having really enjoyed Venice in the evening once all the daytrippers left, I can imagine that San Gimignano would have the same feeling so I think I'd consider staying there for at least one evening on a subsequent trip. On the other hand, I can't imagine San Gimignano -- as nice as I'm sure it is -- being anywhere as wonderful as Siena. <BR>

We were first in San Gimignano 30 years ago before it was "discovered" by the tourists. What a beautiful little town it was. Have been back several times since and have seen the decline, but it is because of all the tourists, not because of the town. Siena was the birthplace of my husband's grandmother and we've been many times with relatives. Now there are some companies who run tours to the Palio and most of the Sienese hate the concept. And, to the person who didn't understand Siena, if you were there during the Palio, you didn't really see Siena. It's completely different during Palio time. It's nice to know that the Contrada of Istrice (porcupine) won the flag!

Not nasty- and I'm sorryf or my spelling error.<BR><BR>I do, however reiterate my point, which only Rita appears to agree with, that we tourists are the ones who make places crowded with tourists.<BR><BR>It's ludicrous to suggest that we are "better" tourists in some way, because we don't arrive in coaches.<BR><BR>I don't like touristy places, but I do realise I'm part of the problem.