A recent trip to Italy provided me 5 days in Tuscany to sample the regional delights: wine, food and eye-catching physical beauty.
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| Photo Credit: Liam Carrier 2018 |
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San Gimignano, which roughly translates into English as "No, my tower is highest!" is a gorgeous, hilltop (is there any other kind?), walled city dating back to the 3rd century. There are many towers built by competing aristocratic families, primarily during the 14th and 15th centuries, forming an unmistakable, beautiful landscape view-able from nearly all aspects of the surrounding countryside.
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| Photo Credit: Liam Carrier 2018 |
There are many excellent restaurants and cafes in the walled city (closed to outside vehicle traffic, BTW. You must park in one of the several public car parks and then walk into town - bring comfortable shoes). Two in particular I can recommend for both the quality of the food and the service are:
Le Vecchie Mura
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| Photo Credit: Liam Carrier 2018 |
Opens for dinner earlier than most of the other high-end restaurants to allow patrons to soak-in the stunning views from the outdoor, open-terrace section (nighttime view is still impressive, but the rolling hills of the surrounding countryside are best viewed in daylight).
As in most Italian restaurants I've visited you will find a simple, condensed menu with familiar-sounding dishes presenting with a unique twist and, generally, focused on a local specialty. Anything with wild boar is a must if you've never had it.
You will also find a reasonably priced wine list. In Italy, the wine in restaurants is only nominally marked-up and likely to be focused on the local DOC or DOCG specialties, along with a few selections from neighboring provinces. Take full advantage.
Bel Soggiorno
Similarly, Bel Soggiorno's menu is short and sweet. Try the suckling pig with a bottle of the Montenidoli Rosato and find a match made in heaven.
A few more photos of "San Gimi" to entice you:
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| Photo Credit: Liam Carrier 2018 |
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| Photo Credit: Liam Carrier 2018 |
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| Photo Credit: Liam Carrier 2018 |
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| Photo Credit: Liam Carrier 2018 |
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| Photo Credit: Liam Carrier 2018 |
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