February 18: San Gimignano & Pisa

We traveled to the magnificent San Gimignano today and absolutely loved the experience.  It is definitely one of the most beautiful old towns that we have visited during our journey, rivaling even the splendor of Siena, Taormina and Dubrovnik.  The highlights for us were the Piazza della Cisterna, the town center, and the Duomo di San Gimignano, a 12th century church. Additionally, I might have had the best gelato that I’ve ever tasted from the award winning Gelateria Dondoli!  We were shocked by some of the prices for balsamic vinegar – prices ranging from 12 euro to 86 euro for a small bottle in one store.  

Next, we drove to Pisa, which offered more spectacular views of the undulating Tuscany hillside.  I would love to purchase a villa on this hilly terrain – close enough to Siena, San Gimignano and Florence.  

Once we made it to the campsite,  we ate raviolis and broccoli rabe.  We completed the tasty early dinner with a bottle of Toscana 2019 from the Montalcino region – life is good. 

Finally, we walked 15 minutes to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  I was absolutely shocked at my first sight of the impressive structure and thought it looked fake.  It is incredible to realize that the lean is only 4 degrees— I would have guessed 10.  According to Google, the leaning was “caused by uneven settling of the foundation.”