San Gimignano

San Gimignano, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a gloriously picturesque Italian town, with fifteen medieval towers (built by competing grandees as expressions of power), and a cathedral.

Its vertiginous streets are lined with small shops that sell locally made Tuscan cheeses, meats and sausages, table linens, ceramics, olive wood carvings and gelato.

To avoid crowds it is best to visit early in the morning or before or after dinner.