Go back in time in Tuscany’s San Gimignano while filling your tummy

Monday, October 10, 2016

 
After a morning of site seeing in Siena, I was ready for lunch. Our next stop was Fattoria Poggio Alloro, an organic farm and winery. Our group was toured on the property and before our lunch with wine tasting.

 
 
Organic fed cows

Our first appetizer was just bread with olive oil. You know when you’re in Italy, bread with olive is NOT just bread with olive oil. I loved the freshness of the bread and olive oil. I sprinkled a little salt to spice things up.

The next course was an assortment of cheese and ham with lettuce. The photos look like I starved myself because the portions are small but don’t fret, we were offered seconds.

I picked authentic Italian Bolognese pasta for lunch. It’s not a simple meat sauce type of pasta dish. The meat simmered in wine and herbs for hours making it flavorful and sinfully soft.

Dessert was simple biscotti, they informed us to dip it in the dessert wine.

 
 
The highlight of the trip for me is the wine tasting. Italy is known for their wine and I wanted to do a wine tasting while on vacation. I didn’t want to drink alone so being in a group made me more comfortable. We were served 2 white wines, red wine and a dessert wine. I am a white wine kind of girl so I was happy. We had an unlimited supply of wine as part of our meal. I got happy during lunch to say the least. Haha

Oh, did I show you our view during lunch? Stunning!

Fattoria Poggio Alloro is also a bed and breakfast so you can enjoy a weekend here. You’ll meet their resident dog. With all the good food I consumed, I’m not surprised their dog is chubby.

I felt pampered during lunch. It felt like it was my birthday and I was celebrating in a big way – I just didn’t know the people I was with. This lunch in Fattoria Poggio Alloro is one of the HIGHLIGHTS of my Tuscany trip.

After our glorious lunch, we headed to town. I felt like I was transported in time and in a quaint medieval town. It felt more medieval than Siena – you’ll feel like you’re exploring a castle.


Enter the center through the Porta San Gimignano.

 
 
 
 
 
Via San Gimignano is the area’s main street. It is lined with different stores selling authentic Tuscan wares. I only took photos of the chocolate.

 
Piazza del Cisterna is San Gimignano main plaza. A lot of people hang out here. It also has award winning gelato shop Gelateria Dondoli.

There’s always a line to get inside. Here’s the owner chatting up customers while they wait.

 
 
Gelato prices range from €2-5 depending on the number of scoops you get. I got the espresso and mint for €2. I was still actually full from lunch so I got this when I was on my way back to the meeting place. 

 
 
 
Don’t you feel like you’re in a castle???

(Click on the photo to enlarge)
This panoramic shot was taken in the highest part of the area. Beautiful isn’t it?

 
 
San Gimignano vibe is truly relaxing.


 
There were times when I would smile like a silly goose at random because everything felt surreal. Was this truly happening? I was in TUSCANY in a fantastic winery drinking fabulous wine. Whut whut!
 
I felt more like a knight than a princess discovering the streets of San Gimignano, another Unesco World Heritage Site. It also holds the distinction of giving me an authentic Italian food experience for this reason San Gimignano will always have a place in my heart (and tummy).


* This post is part of the Walkabout Tuscany Tour. Visit this link to read about the tour and to check out the other places included in the tour.


The Florence leg is part of the 2013 Birthday Trip. Check out the itinerary here. The rest of my Florence posts are here:
Part 2: Original Florence Walk Tour  
Part 3: Leather shopping at the San Lorenzo Market
Part 4: Walkabout Tuscany Tour Overview 
Part 5: Walkabout Tuscany Tour – Siena
Part 7: Walkabout Tuscany Tour – Pisa
Part 8: Favorite Bakery
Part 9: Barberino Designer Outlet

Need hotel options in Florence? Here are my suggestions.

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Rica of Ang Kaladkarin

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2 comments

  1. UnknownApril 29, 2014 at 8:15 AM

    Thank you for sharing your pictures and memories. My husband and I were in San Gimignano in Sept. 2013 and we loved it! Can't wait to go back!!

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    1. Rica of Ang KaladkarinApril 30, 2014 at 12:56 PM

      Hi Maria =) Thanks for dropping by. Isnt San Gimignano love? I only have amazing memories of my visit. The Tuscany tour was one of the best things I did on the trip!

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