Up to now we have seen almost no pilgrims and almost no tourists. We were warned that San Gimignano would be touristy but we were not prepared for the extent of it. The streets were mobbed with people. (Above are people in long line to buy “The Best Gelato in the World”. Just across the way was another longer line of people waiting for “The World Champion Gelato”.) I suppose there are pilgrims here, too, but they are not evident in the crush of people. Tuscany is popular and Easter is a big time for trips. We were there yesterday, the day after Easter, which is a school and work holiday. It probably isn’t as crowded today, Tuesday.
We actually had a taste of it in Lucca. Lucca was not busy because the G7 meeting had closed down the city center, but the place where we had lunch was a prototypical tourist trap. You always order water and always get bottled water. Here was got water in a jug, tap water no doubt but still $2. The parmesan cheese was in packets. The tables were out in the square. The food was pretty bad. We had little choice because of the police blockades shutting off the city but this restaurant was much worse than we had expected. Lesson learned.