A Glimpse of San Gimignano: Rediscovering Tuscany’s Timeless Charm

Hello, my dear friends!

Sorry for being absent lately, but I've been really busy with work, and by the time I get home in the evening, I hardly have the energy to write posts or even think. However, I wanted to share some photos with you that I took in San Gimignano, often referred to as the "New York of Tuscany" because of the many towers that somewhat resemble New York's skyscrapers.

I was there for work a few days ago, and I must say it had been a while since I last visited San Gimignano. It was tough to find parking because the place was packed with people, as you can see from the photos I took.

On one hand, seeing all these tourists is heartwarming because San Gimignano is definitely a place worth visiting, especially since these towers are still standing and can be visited. They are beautiful not only from an architectural standpoint but also because of the stunning views you can enjoy from such a privileged position.

But I have to admit that seeing all these people makes me think a lot. I believe that in the coming years, the issue of overtourism will become a real problem. For example, I had to meet someone at a particular spot, and it was really difficult to get there on foot, physically, because the alleys were so crowded that walking was challenging.
Honestly, for a few years now, I've been thinking that in certain places in Tuscany, and even in Italy as a whole, there needs to be a limit on the number of visitors. On one hand, it's unfortunate because it restricts people's freedom to visit certain places, but on the other hand, it helps maintain a certain quality of the visit. Those who follow me know that Tuscany has many beautiful places to see; it's not necessary to focus solely on these tourist hotspots. Some might say, "But there are few places like San Gimignano," and I agree. However, there are many other villages in Tuscany that are just as beautiful but remain largely unexplored.

It's a real shame that I couldn't stay longer to visit, but I did remember to take some photos to share with you here. I hope that one day you'll be able to visit this place too, but I recommend doing it off-season, maybe not in the summer when it's too crowded and unbearably hot.

See you in my next post. I hope you enjoyed the photos I shared. Sending you a big hug, and see you soon!