Wednesday, April 13, 2016

San Gimi

San Gimignano is a "tourist town" in southern Tuscany, known for its towers which can be seen for miles around. We went there to do some hiking in the Tuscan hills. So soon after settling into our room, we set out at 2pm for a 10 kilometer afternoon walk NORTH towards Pancole and back. The next day we walked a 20 kilometer loop to the SOUTH. Tip of the hat: for both walks we mainly followed routes described in Lonely Planet Hiking in Italy by Brendan Sainsbury. Thanks!

The route to Pancole is mostly uphill but one is rewarded with a long ridge walk with great views to the valley and back to San Gimignano (to the far RIGHT in this first photo).
San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany), Italy

San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany), Italy

San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany), Italy

ASanctuario in Pancole; ie a place for pilgrims to sleep/eat. San Gimi has long been on the pilgrim trail.
San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany), Italy

Farmhouse.
San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany), Italy

San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany), Italy

Approaching San Gimi from the SOUTH.
San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany), Italy

Our room had a shared kitchen to we picked up some supplies at the local COOP market.
San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany), Italy

SL carries our "supplies" home through the mostly quiet streets of San Gimi after the daytrippers have left.
San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany), Italy

View of several towers on our after dinner stroll through town.
San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany) , Italy

Setting out the next morning we had to walk upstream for a few minutes through arriving tour groups, but were soon out of town and walking for 3 or 4 kilometers on the well-marked Via Francigena, the ancient road and pilgrim route from France to Rome; still traveled by pilgrims and walkers like ourselves.
San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany) , Italy

San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany) , Italy

Spotted more than a few wild hyacinths by the road/trail.
San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany) , Italy

Wheat fields with shades of green.
San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany) , Italy

Stopped to take a selfie. ;-)
San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany) , Italy

San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany) , Italy

Good walking on some of the old mule tracks.
San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany) , Italy

And through olive groves. Saw many farmers pruning trees and plowing weeds under, but did not get a good shot.
San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany) , Italy

The cloudy day turned into a light drizzle for a few hours in the afternoon.
San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany) , Italy

San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany) , Italy

It seems that every farmhouse in the area has been turned into a hotel and/or a factory of some sort with wine and olive oil for sale.
San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany) , Italy

San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany) , Italy

The last few uphills kms with great views to San Gimi.
San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany) , Italy

San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany) , Italy

San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany) , Italy

San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany) , Italy

The San Gimignano Duomo.

San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany) , Italy

Some sunset pics from one of the smaller towers.
San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany) , Italy

San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany) , Italy

San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany) , Italy

Towers at night.
San Gimignano, Toscana (Tuscany) , Italy







2 comments:

Kathy said...

Great sunset shots.

You guys are so energetic - I take you're both healthy again?

Liz said...

I love the pictures at dusk.

Most Recent Post

Kandy: Tooth Relic Temple

According to the Tooth Relic Temple website , on Wednesdays there is a ritual of tooth washing, in addition to daily rituals. What we had no...

Most Popular Posts of Last 30 Days