From Alessandria, we travelled into the heart of the Chianti region in Tuscany and stayed in a beautifully restored farmhouse just outside the medieval hilltop town of San Gimignano. Our apartment was surrounded by picturesque vineyards — the perfect Tuscan setting.

Our first attempt to visit San Gimignano didn’t go quite as planned. The roads were congested and parking was nearly impossible, so we changed plans and stopped at a small restaurant we spotted on the way back. Though it looked unremarkable from the outside, the inside was cozy and the food and local wines were excellent.

The next day we tried again, this time arriving early enough to find parking. We enjoyed a peaceful coffee and pastries in the cool morning air before exploring the historic centre. San Gimignano, with its famous towers and ancient architecture, is undeniably charming, though it can get quite crowded. Its beauty and sweeping views still make it well worth a visit.

Another highlight was our day trip to Siena. Having lived there for six weeks many years ago, I was excited to revisit. The city was lively but noticeably quieter than usual due to reduced international tourism. We wandered the beautiful streets, had coffee in the famous Piazza del Campo, and enjoyed strolling down memory lane with almost no other English speakers around.