Day 5 - A Rest Day in San Gimignano

 A rest day was very welcome today. Apart from being a bit tired and my blog being behind, the body will appreciate it. I am surprised by muscle soreness. It isn't the leg muscles that are sore but my hips and glutes. Obviously I am not walking correctly. It has also given time for the shoes to dry out and to do a little hand washing.

View from the breakfast room windows.

We have visited San Gimignano a couple of times before so there wasn't an urgent need to see it all. Before the crowds arrived we did some wandering, but first captured Piazza della Cisterna and our hotel and Piazza Duomo.

We especially  enjoyed the art in Sant' Agostino  church. Frescoes from before 1317 are too amazing to comprehend. As always, a cloister is a tranquil addition to a church or monastery.

Then it was gelati time and back to the hotel to organise changes that will allow Kel to meet his appointment at the Embassy. All seems to be working out, with some changes needed to our onward trip plans. The blog and Kel's journal took up time before our Wine Experience. This was another add-on arranged as part of our package.

 La Vernaccia  di San Gimignano Wine Experience was a comprehensive lesson on the Vernaccia DOCG white wine that grows only in the San Gimignano area. We tasted three different aged Vernaccia and were talked through the characteristics of each. Lastly we tasted a Chianti Sangiovese Merlo mix.

Back at home, from our window we watched a large thunderstorm roll in and the view totally disappear. We were sure glad we weren't walking in that one.

To finish off the rest day we found a small osteria where we had classic Tuscan pasta meals. Mine had Tuscan sausage, porcini mushrooms and truffles. Oh, the aroma of truffles! Kel had pasta with duck and orange. The accompanying crisp bread with saffron was pretty special too.