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Bagni di Lucca, gelato, italy, Photography, Poggibonsi, San Gimignano, travel, tuscan hills, Tuscany
If you like to shop you will like San Gimignano.
San Gimignano is one of my favourite hill-top towns. A big statement to make hey, when we know there are many fabulous hill-top towns in Italy. I have visited San Gimignano many times and always enjoy it. Yes it is a touristic place – but which one in Tuscany is not? Just don’t that let it get you down and do visit the town. It is unique and you will enjoy it. If you can, be there early in the morning or in the late afternoon. And do visit the streets away from the main one – they are almost deserted – here you could feel how the locals live in a medieval town.
The variety of shops is huge, varying from the same sort of tourist junk you see world-wide to fine jewellery and exquisite porcelain. There are many wine shops, enotecas, book stores, leather shops, glass shops, souvenir shops, you name it. There is a gelato shop that has won worlds best gelato maker twice
The streets are filled with artisanal shops selling intriguing items to bring back home. Most notable are the shops selling gourmet products such as olive oil, wines, pasta and other delicacies.
Furthermore, there are shops that sell local pottery and hand-woven tablecloths and other fabrics. Have you seen the colourful potteries? There are bowls, coffee mugs, dinner sets, vases, resting spoons, etc available at several different stores
San Gimignano is very famous for its wonderful ceramics works. There are many shops along Via San Giovanni where you can find plates, vases, potteries and much more. All of them are hand painted. A piece of pottery from San Gimignano certainly is a nice memento to take back home to remember this fantastic town.
Shopping for leather purses in San Gimignano is also very enjoyable. The selection of leather purses here is unlimited! Like Florence, San Gimignano offers a variety of stores with a huge selection of different kinds of leather purses, belt bags, shoulder bags, wallets, attaché cases, belts, travelling bags, backpacks, book covers, coin purses, etc.
I have visited San Gimignano many times arriving each time by a different method. My first visits were by coach. I have also taken the sita bus from the Florence main train station to Poggibonsi where you change buses. We had a half hour wait which was plenty of time for a coffee and pastry and then we hopped on the bus which took us up to San Gimignano. The entire trip took us about 2 hours. The last time I was there I drove our rental car from Bagni di Lucca which took about 2 hours. It was an easy drive and upon arrival we found parking very easily as there were lots of parking spaces.
If you have the time to spend a night or more in San Gimignano you will see a different side of this lovely hilltop town. Once the coaches and the many tourists have gone you can enjoy the quietness. Stop by one of the many restaurants with a view and enjoy a cold one overlooking the beautiful Tuscan Hills. I have dined at several restaurants here and can easily say that I have never been disappointed.
What a wonderful post.:-) Once again fabulous photos! Thank you. Xx
Thanks Leah. It is a fabulous place xx
Great place and I enjoy some clothes from there . Daphne
Yes Daphne you do in fact xx
What a wide variety of things to look at and shop!
Yes Linda. The things you can buy there are far more than in my blog
It’s one of my favourite places to visit Lyn x
We have been to San Gimignano twice Mary and it was fabulous both times x
I would love to shop there. All those fab leathergoods etc. LOVELY!
Yes Kay it is a fabulous day out
It is great to stay overnight in San Gimignano. The tourists leave at 5.00pm and yiu have the place to yourself. I like to avoid Thursday’s in the town as a market takes over the centre and ruins the ambience.
I have not stayed overnight but I have friends who have stayed and they say the same as you.
Such a beautiful place! I feel in love it many years ago and decided it was time to move! But I settled in Southern Italy, Puglia! I’m enjoying ‘La Dolce Vita qui’ 🌞;)
You chose a beautiful place to live. It is not so overcrowded with tourists also
Yes, that was part of the appeal! But now I want the tourists to join me on my wine and cultural tours! 😀
I think it will happen. Puglia was not easy to get to so most tourists only go to the popular places however many of us now want to visit less popular parts of Italy which are also very beautiful
You’re absolutely right. And this year Easyjet have started flying direct from Gatwick to Brindisi, so they are in direct competition with Ryanair (who flight direct from Stansted)…. Just need something up North (this would make it much easier for my family to visit!!!) 🌞
Love the photos … will put it on my ‘places to visit’ list that just gets longer and longer!
Thanks Georgie. San Gimignano is a must if you are visiting Tuscany On 31/05/2015 12:16 AM, “Travelling Italy with Lyn” wrote:
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Lyn I am enjoying some goods from SG. One of my favourites is a tablecloth from SG which has worn beautifullly. A charming place with great vistas.
It is a wonderful way to remember a special place Gail. I also have some lovely momentos from SG On 31/05/2015 7:46 AM, “Travelling Italy with Lyn” wrote:
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Wonderful photos, we enjoyed San Gimignano too and spent the afternoon wandering through the streets. I climbed the bell tower and the views were amazing, touristic or not it is a town worth seeing.
Yes I agree. Turistico but a must. There are places that you can avoid the masses of tourists or you can go with the flow On 31/05/2015 2:59 PM, “Travelling Italy with Lyn” wrote:
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In spite of all the tourists, San Gimignano is wonderful, especially if you like to sketch and eat cinghiale (wild boar), although not necessarily at the same time. Staying the night really gives you a different perspective as most visitors are ‘day-trippers’. Ciao, Cristina
Thanks Cristina. What a great idea – sketch.
I hope this comment reaches you Lyn. I have been trying to comment on your blog since ages.. Lovely photos and stories.
Thanks. I have missed your comments. I am very happy to hear from you
We have spoken earlier too. I love your stories.. Find my blog here :) http://www.ishitasood.blogspot.in/
Thanks for the link. I have tried to access your blog before with no success. I will start some reading
Brilliant! Hope you like it Lyn and I have a lot to write as I just got back 3 days earlier.. Now I am all set to blog :D
Imagine this time all of us met! Bloggers who knew each other only through Twitter and other social media avenues.. Margie, Susan, Victoria & I…. It was so much fun. You must see it here and more when I blog! Ciao for now!
http://www.postcardzfromvictoria.com/2015/05/29/postcardz-from-enchanting-venice/
Yes I follow Susan and Margie. So i have heard about your fabulous meet up
:-) That’s nice!
That would be great :) Il be happy if you visit. You can comment using a gmail account or just using your blogger account. I received your comment on one of my posts last week!
If you visit Umbria this year or later Lyn, you must try and go to Castello di Montegiove. I have written all about it on my new blog post. I was thinking of you and Susan as I wrote it. This place is very “US”
Hi Ishita. I have read it and enjoyed it but I cannot figure out how to write a comment. I have been to Umbria a few times. It is super. Next time I will visit your castello
The buildings are gorgeous. I could be entertained just walking around town taking pictures of the architecture.
Yes it is easy to be entertained when we have a great subject hey. Thanks for stopping by Lyn
Through gmail account :)
OK I will try right now
Sorry to hear that you cannot post otherwise. EVen blogger account works. I think I have received comments from you last week.
I tried. Seems like you did not receive it. I will try again