San Gimignano

San Gimignano is a small medieval hill town in Tuscany, Italy, that looks like it's straight out of a fairy tale. With its 14 stone towers creating a unique skyline, it's easy to see why it's often called the 'Medieval Manhattan.' These towers were built by wealthy families in the 13th century to show off their power and status - originally there were 72 of them!

The town is surrounded by walls that date back to the 13th century and walking through its narrow streets feels like stepping back in time. The historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it's packed with beautiful buildings, churches with impressive frescoes, and cozy piazzas.

San Gimignano is also famous for its white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, which has been produced here since ancient Roman times. It was the first Italian wine to receive the DOCG quality assurance label.

The town gets busy with tourists during the day, but in the evening, when day-trippers leave, it becomes quiet and atmospheric. The views of the surrounding Tuscan countryside with its vineyards, olive groves, and rolling hills are absolutely breathtaking, especially at sunset when the whole landscape is bathed in golden light.