As proud owners of an RV is quite clear that the next summer vacation (a week after buying the mobile accommodation) must take us to Italy. And even though we have been there many times and know many parts of the country well, this time it should be a complete trip from the north to the south, which should take us to many world-famous places!
It is the beginning of July 2017, and the temperatures are pretty to our taste. To be able to use as much time as possible of our vacation for our journey, we drive already in the night from Friday to Saturday in the direction of the south, past the usually strongly frequented freeway junction around Munich (which is still relatively relaxed in the morning hours). We continue towards the border with Austria and then over the Brenner Pass to Torbole. Here we make the first stopover and meet acquaintances from Nordhausen, whom we had not seen for some time.
We finally have pizza and red wine in a restaurant directly on Lake Garda.
We missed our favorite lake because the last time we were here was 2015! And so we decide to spend the following day here and let the day end comfortably before we go to our now somewhat cooled camper for a good night’s sleep. So the next day, we spent bathing and relaxing to be fit for the next long trip in the direction of Pisa.
Pisa – something went wrong here
After the recreational break at the water, we now go to Pisa to check whether the pizza, red wine, and beer there are also enjoyable. But before that, the city is explored, and just the leaning tower may not be missing, of course!
And yes, food and drink are excellent, so we go freshly strengthened after an eventful day to the next pitch. And there, we meet on an identical RV so that our “Susi” may spend the night next to a sibling vehicle.
Rome – The Eternal City
And now we continue in a southerly direction. The destination is clear … we are going to the capital of Italy.
Rome is the largest city in the country. A legend tells that Romulus founded the city in 753 BC. The town was built on seven hills. Romulus killed his brother Remus for making fun of the city walls. According to legend, the two brothers were the sons of the god Mars, abandoned on the Tiber and raised by a she-wolf.
But before going directly to the “eternal city,” we spend the night a bit north, at Rosi’s pond.
The next morning we go directly to a campsite near the city in southern Rome, and then we want to explore the city. Of course, the best way to get to the center is by public transport, but because the public transport companies think that they have to strike today of all days, we go there on foot – it’s only about 6 km and 40°C in the shade. In the evening, the strikers pity us and get the public transport running again. So we are spared the walk back.
On the following two days, we explore the city with a Hop-On / Hop-Off bus and are simply thrilled.
Rome bears the epithet – Eternal City – not only because you are on the road with the RV from Germany for a very long time (so quasi-forever), but because there are incredible buildings and ruins from past centuries, which are considered proof that this city will never perish. These include the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, the Caesars Palace in the ruins of the Roman Forum, and many other sights.
Last but not least, a visit to the Vatican is a must!
St. Peter’s Square and the cathedral are simply impressive and inspiring. We don’t meet the Pope, but it’s a great feeling to be in this world-famous place.
You have to see this city at least once in your life because there is hardly a place in the world with a more varied history.
Hot thing – sleeping in the volcano crater
After two exciting days and quite lame on our feet, we continue south. The landscape becomes more barren, and it feels warmer and warmer. The next stage destination is Naples (although we want to skip the city center itself for foot-related reasons). We choose a campground with sanitary facilities, a restaurant, and good reviews on the Internet and head straight for it. On the last half kilometer, the road becomes so narrow that only one vehicle fits on the way. And then we are there … a scenically beautiful round place surrounded by a small mountain range. We quickly get the RV ready for the night and go exploring. We also find a description of the formation of this place, and it turns out that it is a former volcanic crater. We decide to take a rest the next day and spend the time at sea.
Pompeii – we are on fire
After a drive through exciting landscapes (in sweltering heat), we reach our southernmost stage destination – Pompeii. The city was buried by volcanic ash during the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in 79 AD so that numerous buildings and objects were preserved. We look at the largest excavation site and are impressed by the dimensions. Unfortunately, on the Vesuvius itself, we can not go up because access is currently impossible due to current and numerous forest fires.
Now we go for another swim in the Gulf of Naples, then we have dinner and fall into our bunks completely exhausted.
Est, Est, Est – Wine stop at Lago di Bolsena
On the way back north, we make a small stop in Umbria, more precisely at Lago di Bolsena. Here near the nice town of Orvieto, there is supposed to be great wine, and that must be tested. According to legend, around the year 1111, a German prelate sent a servant ahead on his way to Rome, who was supposed to write the word “est” on the door of all inns with good wine. The local (white) wine tasted so good to the servant that he wrote “est” three times on the doors, which means: “It is (here)! It is (here)!!! It is (here)!!!”
In the end, however, it was not the mother who had a hangover the following day, but the fair daughter has to distribute thanks to the somewhat winding roads, still fix her breakfast in the RV so that all also have something of it.
The finale – Gardaland
We continue towards Germany, but we have saved a little surprise for Celina. We make one last stop at Lake Garda and visit the amusement park “Gardaland.” We have already been here two times, but it is always great here. The opening show always inspires us anew!
After one last overnight stay, we head home, full of new impressions but with empty bank accounts. Ciao Bella Italia!