Today we spent the day at two hill towns northwest of Siena (there are literally dozens of hill towns – the most difficult task is to narrow down the choices to just a manageable few).

So we chose to visit Volterra and San Gimignano (we finally learned to pronounce the name correctly – sorta – sahn jee-meen-YAH-noh. We had been referring to it as San Chimichanga 🙂 bad joke).

BUT before we left Montepulciano we took a picture of Lucca (who rented this great apartment to us) and Creased/Rumpled Benjamin. His friend Carlotta is on the far left. Lucca is soooo nice. 🙂

On to Volterra which was made somewhat famous by the Twilight movies (New Moon was filmed in Volterra and Montepulciano). One of the gates to the city, the Etruscan Arch, was built in the fourth century BC. There is also a Roman amphitheater from 40 BC. Everything is soooo old here. We drove past what looked like a little walled castle on our way to Volterra – no sign or anything on it because (we’re thinking) it’s just another ancient building…
Anyway, we had another sloooow, delicious lunch and then strolled the city. Lovely.

San Gimignano: We got into San Gimignano around 6 – the crowds were leaving (it’s quite touristy) but the lighting was perfect for pictures. It really is a beautiful town and probably best enjoyed during the gloaming, twilight hours. Just you and the towers (14 of the original 72 medieval columns remain), the churches (they’re everywhere! our theme), the cobblestone streets, the quiet…