Day 24: Amunì compà, Uma & Marco race to Sicily!: 30km from San Miniato to San Gimignano

"The more fully you have lived your life, the less tragic your death will be."
(Irvin Yalon).

The route:

Today, an early start, just before seven, so Sabine could recover from her cold in peace. After just 800 meters, I unexpectedly find a bar in a "ghost village" with a grumpy "village original" barista, but an even better pistachio cornetti. Breakfast is saved.
The route now leads through the typical, undulating Tuscan landscape. Simply beautiful, if only it weren't for the pain in my knees. The miles we've covered are taking their toll. We're postponing our plan to take a rest day tomorrow until the day after, as even the smallest agriturismos are suddenly fully booked .

Good? Bad? Ugly?

We see the reason in San Gimignano, today's destination. It couldn't be more picturesque. Of the original 72(!) defensive towers, 15 still rise into the sky today, and the town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracts three million visitors annually. Sabine enjoys the obligatory ice cream in the "best gelateria in the world," and we say goodbye to the peace and quiet of our overnight camp.

A total distance of 30km and 104 meters of elevation.

Be there!