San Gimignano: the perfect Tuscan town
If there was a model Tuscan town, the one you see on the front cover of guidebooks, it would be San Gimignano. The town, along with its pretty skyline of 13th-century towers, is perched on top of a Tuscan hill surrounded by the old city walls and sweeping cypress trees. When you come to stay in a San Gimignano vacation rental, you'll quickly realize why it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll feel like you've stepped back in time when you wander along the narrow streets, which open onto a sunny piazza flanked by gorgeous Medieval buildings.
San Gimignano is bursting with cultural attractions
When you pop out of your San Gimignano vacation rental, you'll find a town which is easily explored by foot and, though small, it's bursting at the seams with things to see. You could start your day with a cappuccino and pastry in the sunny piazza, before discovering the ancient artwork inside the Palazzo Comunale. Afterwards, you'll be puffed out when you climb the Torre Grossa, but the views from the top are worth the effort. In the afternoon, grab yourself that obligatory, and delicious, Italian gelato and then dive into the rather grizzly but fascinating Medieval Torture Museum.
The rolling hills of San Gimignano await
Italy has always been about good food, good wine and good company, and Tuscany is no exception. Staying in a San Gimignano vacation rental puts you in the heart of these rolling hills. Whether you go by car or by bicycle, it's unthinkable not to drop into one of the Chianti wineries, to sample some of the country's finest reds. To learn the art of Tuscan cuisine, you should consider taking the family to one of the many cooking classes on offer, where you can learn about Italian produce and try your hand at cooking fresh pasta dishes.
Spring and fall are San Gimignano's sweet spot
While the summer months see the most glorious weather, with little rain and endlessly bright skies, it also attracts the biggest crowds, who book up the San Gimignano vacation rentals. If you don't mind a slightly cooler temperature, arguably better if you plan to hike or bike, try to nab a rental between April and May or September and October, when the summer crowds are back at home and the town feels decidedly more quiet and local. For rock-bottom prices, you could visit in winter, when you'll likely be the only foreigner in town but expect cold and rainy weather.
San Gimignano lies close to nature
While you're staying in a San Gimignano vacation rental, it would be a shame to miss the 700-hectre Castelvecchio, a forest-covered nature reserve just a short drive away. This wild land holds your best chances of spotting wildlife in Tuscany. If you take a hike through the park, you'll likely encounter several critters including deer, red foxes and the occasional wild boar which rustles around on the forest floor, not to mention the scampering hares and porcupines. If you look up to the treetops and towards the marshes, there's more to see, including tawny owls, pheasants and beautiful herons.
Traveling to and around San Gimignano
The nearest airport is in Florence Airport, Peretola (FLR), located 24.4 mi (39.3 km) from the city center.
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