San Gimignano

Friday morning found us packed and ready to hit the road for San Gimignano, with a stop in Siena for lunch. The crowds there were daunting again, and the terrain (uphill streets, downhill streets) even more challenging than usual, both because of our own fatigue, and the hordes of oblivious tourists bumping into each other, into walls, into us. The cathedral, however, is a beauty.

Rue Pal TomTom directed us flawlessly out of Siena (no simple task), and to San Gimignano. We looked hard for Bill and Linda's monastery, hoping for a straw pallet and a patch of stone floor, but had to settle instead for a 4 star hotel called the Belsoggiorno. Hotels here (everywhere?) get stars for things like elevators (check) internet (hmmm ... check, I guess. The on-again-off-again wifi, only in the lobby, explains the delay in posting updates to this blog, or as Valerie would have it, our blob) and restaurants (check). Otherwise the place is very pleasant but unremarkable aside from the view out our window - the most beautiful vista I have ever seen in Tuscany. We overlook vineyards, farms, and roads winding over rolling hills. Same view from the lovely dining room, where dinner was wonderful.

AND ... Valerie discovered that this hotel has a sister hotel. Its a glorious Tuscan farmhouse, complete with stone houses, acres of vineyards, olive trees and a pool! And as guests here, we can use the pool there. 

and hot tub!  You would love it Vicky!

San Gimignano from the farm "inn."

So we found the worlds grumpiest postie!  We bought some stamps at his establishment,  and he gave us a few grunts.  Later we ran into his cousin, who was turned into a giant salami.

We've been noticing some dogs around San Gimignano.  Big ones, little ones and in between.

But these are the only cats we've seen:

We drove past a town called Poggibonsi and wondered what the people who lived there would be called.  Poggibonsites?  Poggibonese?  Poggibonkers?  No!  They would be Poggibonjovis!

And finally some adorable bambinos. Would the real "cutest bambino" please stand up.

Tomorrow is Sunday, back to church, and then off to the sea near Livorno for some mor R&R.

Buona Notte!