7-hour car and driving tour with walking guide on request.
We’ll drive to the small medieval town, but inside the walls we’ll have a walking – with an authorized tour guide available upon request – . We’ll start from the PORTA SAN GIOVANNI, up to the centre, along the main road, which was a part of the Francs’ road. First stop will be in front of the former Church of SAN FRANCESCO, a beautiful example of Romanesque style. Only the facade survived. Nowadays in this area is a wine cellar.
We’ll then proceed as far as the first ring of walls. Right before it, we’ll turn to the right, to see (outside only) the HOUSE OF S.FINA, the Patron Saint of S.Gimignano. From there we’ll walk to the walls, stopping at the FONTI (fountains). Still keeping on that side and enjoying the beautiful view on the valley, we’ll end up at the Church of S. AGOSTINO, wonderfully frescoed by Benozzo Gozzoli, the same painter who decorated the Magi Chapel in Florence, and frescoed St. Sebastian in the Cathedral of San Gimignano. We’ll also see the facade of the Church of SAN PIETRO, and the GATE OF SAN MATTEO.
We’ll then go uphill, to the MONTESTAFFOLI fortress, from where the view is really unparalleled. From the fortress, we’ll walk down to the COLLEGIATA. We’ll visit the church, decorated with XIV century frescoes featuring Old and New Testament, and we’ll see also the ST. FINA CHAPEL, decorated by Domenico Ghirlandaio with stories of life and death of the young saint. Close to the Church, we can visit an interesting ARCHEOLOGICAL AND SACRED ART MUSEUM.
As an alternative, the CIVIC MUSEUM, located inside the highest tower of the town. We’ll see the courtyard of the TOWN HALL, and CISTERN SQUARE. It is also possible to visit the TORTURE MUSEUM, hosting a collection of instruments mainly used during the Inquisition.
At the end of the tour, a memorable experience will be also the tasting of the famous Vernaccia (produced already at the times of Romans) along with other very special types of wine, such as Brunello di Montalcino, or Chianti Classico.
The tour is for individuals as well as for small groups; and it includes private guide, private car transfers, and museum tickets.
All tours can be personalized and/or combined on request. In order to provide our clients with the best-in-class service, our English speaking driver guide will give running commentaries of what you are seeing and he will allow you enough time to visit each site avoiding the expensive charges of hiring a private guide.
