Does anyone know what day is market day in San Gim?
I am refering to San Gimignano, I think market day is on a Thursday but I just want to clarify so that I can make my other plans around that day.
The market is on Thursday, but based on what we saw, it certainly isn't worth scheduling around it. It was like a flea market you would find anywhere, cheap clothes (not make in Italy), plastic shoes, plastic "Prada" bags, etc. They have big trucks that come in and set up, not local artisans.
cabo, I agree partially with you about flea market junk at those markets but I did find a dealer of seconds in Vietri dishes, same ones I paid a fortune for in the U.S. and Canada. I was astounded at the pieces I picked up for a song; the market was fun for a morning stroll and seeing the locals shop there.
Hi debby. I would definitely try to avoid market day in San Gimignano! We stayed a Wednesday night not knowing that the market was Thursday morning. We stayed in Cisterna with rooms overlooking the lovely town square. The market setting up early next morning got us very excited. It woke us up and we all excitedly rushed to get ready. I have NEVER seen such junk at any market before - anywhere. It totally took away from the magic of the place. We looked around for about 5 minutes. My sister did buy a cheap soccer jersey for her 5 year old.
The little shops in San Gimignano have very high quality goods though, and have plenty to keep you occupied. We really enjoyed them. Good luck, and sorry to put a downer on that for you but IMO its best avoided. Have all your market time in Florence or some larger city that has lots of competition. Have fun!
The little shops in San Gimignano have very high quality goods though, and have plenty to keep you occupied. We really enjoyed them. Good luck, and sorry to put a downer on that for you but IMO its best avoided. Have all your market time in Florence or some larger city that has lots of competition. Have fun!
I agree--try to avoid market days in any of the villages. They are really intended for the locals and the same vendors make their rounds of various villages on various days. Most of the goods are very tacky.
Bob, would that include the market day in Montepulciano too? I loved the market days in Provence and was hoping for the same atmosphere.
Monica
Monica
Market days have both pros' & con's.
Con, the stalls tend to hide the beauty of the piazza or town. The stalls and crowds cover & hide much of the surrondings where the stalls are set up. If you are in a town only one day & it's market day you could miss some of the beauty & spirit of the town due to this. I did origianlly with San Gimigiano, fortunately I went back a few days later.
Pro, yes there is a lot of junk, but also hiden jems or good deals. I routinely buy household/kitchen items for everyday use at the markets at very good prices. You can also find linens and other items like that much cheaper then most stores.
Then there is the experience of it. I have some great photos of the stall vendors plying their goods in settings that you don't ordinarily see in the US. Such as a a whole roasted pig with head on , only being cut when a customer places their order. Many are very friendly even if most don't speak english.
Also the markets are kinda of like a caravan. They travel a particular path each week returning to the same towns on given days. If you touring in a very small area you could encounter the same market caravan a few times in diffrent towns. If your moving about quite a bit you could run into different caravans serving entirely different towns.
Con, the stalls tend to hide the beauty of the piazza or town. The stalls and crowds cover & hide much of the surrondings where the stalls are set up. If you are in a town only one day & it's market day you could miss some of the beauty & spirit of the town due to this. I did origianlly with San Gimigiano, fortunately I went back a few days later.
Pro, yes there is a lot of junk, but also hiden jems or good deals. I routinely buy household/kitchen items for everyday use at the markets at very good prices. You can also find linens and other items like that much cheaper then most stores.
Then there is the experience of it. I have some great photos of the stall vendors plying their goods in settings that you don't ordinarily see in the US. Such as a a whole roasted pig with head on , only being cut when a customer places their order. Many are very friendly even if most don't speak english.
Also the markets are kinda of like a caravan. They travel a particular path each week returning to the same towns on given days. If you touring in a very small area you could encounter the same market caravan a few times in diffrent towns. If your moving about quite a bit you could run into different caravans serving entirely different towns.
It is the same vendors and the same stuff. They clog the streets and sell mostly junk, with some exceptions. My wife did find an antique bracelet she did like. It is not as nice as the one in St. Remy in Provence--mostly fresh produce and Dollar Store clothes. I did buy some socks one time.
Market day in Montepulciano takes place at the bus station parking lot.
We enjoyed the experience of seeing butchers, fish mongers, produce "stores" springing up in the parking lot.
It looked like entire shoe and other stores set up shop. Yes, most of the stuff looked kind of low end...but it was being purchased by locals.
We just considered market day to be part of the "Italian experience".
We enjoyed the experience of seeing butchers, fish mongers, produce "stores" springing up in the parking lot.
It looked like entire shoe and other stores set up shop. Yes, most of the stuff looked kind of low end...but it was being purchased by locals.
We just considered market day to be part of the "Italian experience".
Hi Dick: "We enjoyed the experience of seeing butchers, fish mongers, produce "stores" springing up in the parking lot."
I would love to see that kind of market, what day is it on there? That one seems to have some charm.
The one in SG had this stuff the day I was there: VERY cheap quality sheets and towels; awful cheap shoes & jeans; soccer jerseys; piles of cheap jeans and some plastic type toys. That was it! maybe it was a bad day.
When I was in SG it was not at all
I would love to see that kind of market, what day is it on there? That one seems to have some charm.
The one in SG had this stuff the day I was there: VERY cheap quality sheets and towels; awful cheap shoes & jeans; soccer jerseys; piles of cheap jeans and some plastic type toys. That was it! maybe it was a bad day.
When I was in SG it was not at all
Aine,
Market day in Montepulciano is Thursday. We based in an appartment there and really liked the town.
It sounds like the market in San G caters to the tourists...and the one in Montepulciano caters to the locals.
I've posted a few pics that were taken on Market day.
http://www.pbase.com/dickp/tuscany&page=2
Market day in Montepulciano is Thursday. We based in an appartment there and really liked the town.
It sounds like the market in San G caters to the tourists...and the one in Montepulciano caters to the locals.
I've posted a few pics that were taken on Market day.
http://www.pbase.com/dickp/tuscany&page=2
Since we'll be in Montepulciano for a week, a short stop to the market can't hurt. Bob, St. Remy's market day was one of my favorites! I should have spent more time when I was there, but we were heading out to Nimes that day.
