San Gimignano y granja San Donato

Enjoy free time to explore the medieval town of San Gimignano and then visit a nearby farm for a traditional lunch and a selection of locally produced wines.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a picturesque drive through the charming Tuscan countryside towards the medieval walled town of San Gimignano. The architecture, particularly the 14 soaring tower-houses, has earned the town a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. The exact purpose of the towers is disputed. Some believe that they were built as fortifications; others insist that the towers were merely meant to be signs of wealth.

Upon arrival, you have approximately two hours of free to experience the city at your leisure. You might start in the Piazza della Cisterna, which features the square’s namesake well, or the 13th-century Piazza Duomo, a square dotted with monuments and flanked by mansions. Regardless of where you choose to explore, hillside San Gimignano will exude a medieval atmosphere, much like it did at the height of its power and status.

Rejoining your coach, you will drive to nearby San Donato, a farm and winery characteristic of Tuscany. While enjoying a buffet lunch and wine tasting, you will discover that many of the ingredients are produced at San Donato, particularly the olive oil, saffron and four varieties of grapes.

The wines will be chosen upon your arrival, but it is likely that Chianti Classico, made entirely with sangiovese grapes, will be amongst the selections. Afterwards, you will transfer back to the pier in Livorno.