Utah State Parks

Utah State Parks
Hiking Wild Horse Canyon

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Italy, Day 7 - San Gimignano

This day, our trip to San Gimignano,  proved to be my favorite!  Once again we rode a bus and passed a cemetery filled with graves of American soldiers who died in Italy during World War II.
Picture taken from the bus

Rick Steves video about San Gimignano

I love the little niche dedicated to the Blessed Virgin
The famous well and famous guests, Paula and Theresa


Paula and I walked this trail to get a better view of the Medieval Village

We spent a lot of time shopping.  Claudia recommended this leather shop and sure enough Paula and I bought a genuine "Made in Italy" leather handbag!


We enjoyed our visit with this woman who just opened her ceramic shop three days ago.  She and her husband make and paint all the pottery.  Some of it came home with us to the U.S.






This sweet woman waited on us at Bar LeTori....we took cookies with us for the long ride home.

After lunch, we had the privilege of visiting Fattoria Poggio Alloro, a family working farm.  We met Sarah Fiorini, a third generation family member.  She's passionate about her family, this land, and all the products that come from it.  
She spoke about her grandfather and his brothers who bought the land and barely survived during the depression and subsequent years.  "People often ask me about the three brother's intention when they bought the land.....it never occurred to them the farm might be a source of revenue, they just wanted to provide a way to feed their families with healthy, home grown food."

Sarah delighted us with her stories about the family and we learned that she's published a cookbook and now comes to America and teaches cooking classes.  I ordered the cookbook, not only for the recipes, but also to read the stories about the family farm.  

The farm has a large organic vegetable garden, olives, grapes, and the sweetest white cows.


Toni, right at home, among the wine barrels!

The farmers make wine, olive oil, and cheese.  The family set out the most incredible wine tasting event!  We enjoyed five tastes of wine, with bread, salami, cheese and the grand finale, biscotti with sweet wine!




We all wanted to purchase the wine and olive oil!

I bought some biscotti to share with friends at home....will have to find a great sweet wine and serve it in the evening.  I've only eaten biscotti for breakfast, but now it's my favorite dessert!





If I ever make it back to Italy I hope to stay at the Bed and Breakfast on this farm.  It's so peaceful here, quite a contrast to the cities we've visited.  The family's desire to serve only healthy, organic food impressed me.  And, look at the view of San Gimignano from the wine tasting room!


 Two Camas Prairie, St. Gertrude's Academy Alums enjoying Tuscany!  Marilyn and I both have family ties to Greencreek, Illinois....

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