San Gimignano - ideas for side trips!
 

We're going to be staying near San Gimignano for two weeks in June. We don't usually map out a plan for our sightseeing - we prefer just to decide over breakfast what to do and then go and do it - but I'm looking for some ideas of places to visit whilst we're there. The obvious cities of Florence, Pisa and Siena stand out, but never having been to Italy before I really don't know where to start in looking at things!

We're interested in seeing some of the older buildings, the art of the area, and also wine (just as well in Tuscany, really.) We're also arriving in San Gimignano on the weekend of the festival - is this worth seeing? We'd also like to go to the coast for a day or so too. Another important point - we have a one year old daughter with us so will be a bit encumbered with a baby buggy / stroller!

Hi Keith,

Lucca is near Pisa and is considered worth seeing.

Volterra is an interesting village featuring alabaster. One problem we had we parked at the foot of many stairs. I do not recall if we could not drive in to the village or jusst arrived at the parking lot by happenstance. You might check in advance.

In Volterra we parked at an underground parking garage very close to the main square. It is on the right as you enter the city.

Look at any good guidebook on Tuscany. I think Fodor's has one with directions for scenic drives that take you to many interesting monasteries, hill towns, etc. We thoroughly enjoyed doing that.

there are a number of "hill" towns around san g....they are very worth a visit...my in-laws returned yesterday from italy and the highlight of their trip was lucca in the tuscan area...
we also took a day trip over to umbria which we found very interesting....the "spa" towns are also interesting
you will have lots of fun and there is too much to do so don't worry...go with the flow...
plan san g in early morning and after 5pm--too many day tourists otherwise....

We stayed a week outside San G. a few years ago and then stayed another 2 weeks a year later just s. of Florence. We didlots of day trips. We actually took the bus into Florence though-easily caught right outside the walls of San G. and got our tickets in San G.-found it much easier. Travel south on S222, the Chiantigiana route, and you'll see the beautiful Tuscan landscape of olive trees, vines, cypress trees and lots of wineries.Our favourite town in Chianti region was Greve especially the Sat. morning market. We loved Volterra, Siena,Montepulciano, Monteriggioni, Montalcino, Colle di Val d'Elsa and Lucca. For a cheap meal in a traditional Tuscan restaurant try La Torre - crabby, impatient owner/waiter but he served the best food! It's on the first street to the left of the tower on the campo. But I agree about getting a good guidebook and a Michelin map and just plan on leisurely days going to the villages that appeal to you. We also ventured as far as Pienza, another favourite. Have fun..it's a wonderful spot. My one word of advice-don't cram too much into your days, be prepared to stop and wander. Don't put yourself on too tight a schedule. Better to see fewer places well than be doing a marathon thru too many.

One other thing re. your trip to the coast. We did a day trip to Forte di Marmi..it was great and would be good for a little one as you can rent little cabanas and large umbrellas on the beach for a modest sum. And the town itself is very upscale and interesting although too "Americanized"-expensive and touristy.

To Canukuphereathome: Please tell us which town the Torre restaurant was in. Thanks. We've eaten at the one in Castellina and loved it but you did not mention this town. We'll be near Sam G, next week for 6 days. Thanks.

Sorry..the restaurant is in Siena. We had lunch there and it was packed! Very small place so we wandered in around noon and couldn't get a seat. Told the "grumpy" owner we'd be back in an hour so he held a place for us. His helper (cigarette hanging frm mouth) made the pasta right in front of us. It is certainly a basic trattoria but the food was really really good. From the sublime to the ridiculous we also had dinner in Siena at the Cane e Gatto and it was very expensive but absolutely divine. We had a large group so actually had the whole restaurant to ourselves! It only holds about 22 people and you must reserve ahead of time.