23907ITA
Sightseeing with TM, no entrances
Remember that you are not allowed to guide in San Gimignano. Give all your explanations beforehand on the bus.
Driving time from Florence: 1 hour 10 mins (59km)
Driving time from Siena: 55 mins (44km)
Allow 1 – 1½ hours for the visit, excluding lunch.
If your day includes a Tuscan lunch, plan your timing around it (see restaurant voucher).
– Drop-off for the bus – at Piazzale Ludovico Quaroni car park next to the Coop supermarket below San Gimignano. There are WC in this car park.
– Your driver cannot park here. Go to the kiosk in the car park to collect a number for your bus driver. The car park attendants will contact him when you are ready to be collected after your visit.
– Walk the group up the hill on via Baccanella to the right-hand side of the supermarket.
– Turn left at the T-junction and continue walking uphill. After the steps, turn right onto viale Roma. The group may want to stop and take photographs of the views of Tuscan countryside to the right-hand side.
– Once you reach the Porta San Giovanni, the gates to the town, stop and give the group a meeting time for the end of their visit. This is where they will meet you to walk back to the bus together.
– Explain that you cannot guide in the town, but that the group can find the cafes, museums and monuments you described on the bus by walking up via San Giovanni beyond the gate.
FACTS AND FREE TIME SUGGESTIONS
Torre Grossa – Climb the tallest tower in San Gimignano, Torre Grossa, built in 1311, which is 54m (177 feet) high. Steep steps, particularly near the top, but great views. Entrance and tickets at the Palazzo del Popolo Civic Museum in Piazza Duomo.
Palazzo del Popolo Civic Museum – Wonderful frescoed rooms, including the room where Dante is said to have been received on a diplomatic mission, and artworks by Filippo Lippi, Pinturicchio and Gozzoli.
La Collegiata – the cathedral of San Gimignano. Built in the 11th C and decorated with frescoes in the 14th C.
Torture Museum – Located in the Tower of the Devil, and Piazza Cisterna a number of instruments of torture and explanations of their usage on display.
Wine tasting (for adults) – Several places in town offer tastings of the local Vernaccia white wine.
Walk up to the Rocca, fortress ruins. Great views and a small wine museum
Best gelato in San Gimignano: upon entering the Piazza della Cisterna, one on the right, one on the left, both always have long queues.
Walk up to the Parco dell Rocca (free) for great views over the town.
Tourist Office – Piazza Duomo. Closed between 1pm – 3pm.
Post Office – via della Rocca. Down the hill from the Duomo.
Pharmacy – Farmacia Comunale in Piazza della Cisterna, 7.
Shopping – There are lots of souvenir shops on via San Giovanni and on the street road beyond Piazza Duomo. Some shops close over lunchtime and on Sundays.