It’s spring (Easter 2018, to be precise), and the weather in Germany leaves something to be desired. So what could be more obvious than to grab the RV and head towards our beloved Italy. Dolce Vita (or so) is always good for the soul … just like wine. So, off into the beautiful weather to sip wine and eat pizza or pasta.
In damp weather and almost wintry temperatures, we take to the highway, past the red glowing Munich Allianz Arena to the Austrian border, where we take up our night’s quarters in front of a lovely inn. We were glad we had a parking heater because the temperatures dropped below freezing this night. The next morning we continue in dirty weather towards Lake Garda, which we reach just in time for lunch. Yes, we are again in our felt home, and now the weather has also become beautiful….
Lazise
We are in Lazise, where we set up camp at the campground (where we had already spent our honeymoon in 2001). A lot has been done here since our first visit. Everything has been modernized (including the price of accommodation). But it’s beautiful here, and we love the city center, which is within easy walking distance. And everywhere it is already blooming…
Ravenna
From Lake Garda, we go through Emilia-Romagna to Ravenna, where we stroll through the city to see the many mosaics and admire the beautiful buildings in fantastic spring weather.
Afterward, we walk back to the parking lot to … Well, to find out that the battery has given up the ghost. But luckily we didn’t take any jumper cables with us, and far and wide no one was there to help us. The only German camper tourist disappears rather quickly when we ask for help. Well super! After about half an hour, another motorhome rolls onto the parking lot, and after some funny communication attempts with the cheerful Italians, get our jump start and learn the essential words “La machina morto” (which means “The box is dead”). The next way leads us directly to a department store, where the girls buy an appropriate cable, wärend the driver with a running engine waits for the ladies’ return.
Now we continue towards the coast and hope the battery will be charged again when we reach the next stage destination. Shortly before Rimini, we located a campground directly on the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea – on the Adriatic Sea – and decided to spend the night here.
Battery from Rimini
Susi (our RV) finds it so nice here that she thinks she does not want to start the following day again. The breakdown service summoned by the groundsman gives us again a jump-start, and it remains only the way to a workshop to replace the defective battery. The girls stay on the parking lot, and Matthias tries to negotiate with the workshop owner about the price of the replacement product. After reaching an agreement, it takes another hour until the battery arrives from Rimini by special delivery, and Matthias can return to the rest of the family. Today is over, and we spend the rest of the day here at the Adriatic Sea. But at least our (Italian) RV now has a new battery from Rimini and we have a jumper cable that we will never need again.
San Marino
After our forced break, it is now time to continue the journey. We are going to a city that is also a state within a state (like the Vatican). It is one of the oldest republics in the world – San Marino. Here we want to see the wonderful old town and get a stamp in our passport. Also, a set of the local euro coins may not be missing.
We walk through the numerous winding streets, find something to eat, and then head towards the Cesta Castle, located at the highest point of Monte Titano and part of a fortified city wall.
Asciano / San Gimignano / Volterra
And then we continue inland, past Arezzo in the direction of Siena. In Asciano, we find our next stop in a public and free parking lot. A rain shower forced us to stay in the camper, but then Susi was under the rainbow.
We take a leisurely stroll through the town and end the evening with a bottle of red wine.
The next day we drove to the vaunted wine region of San Gimignano and then to Volterra. Tuscany offers gorgeous landscapes and towns. We had agreed with Susi that we would give her an interior and exterior makeover after the tour if she would get us from point A to point B for the rest of the vacation without any problems. The plan worked out…
By the sea in Marina Di Bibbona
After so much culture (and, of course, the purchase of some regional liquid specialties), we head for the overnight campsite on the western Mediterranean – the Riviera. The obligatory “feet in the water” here may not be missing. Only for bathing, it is a bit too fresh.
Florenz
After a beautiful night by the sea, we continue to Florence. Here Matthias may prove his driving skills because due to numerous road closures, our way to the planned location once leads through the middle of the center (and that with our clear vehicle and many construction sites, one-way streets, and other chicanes). But we bravely conquer the turmoil, and thank God there are no speed cameras at the red lights. Arrived at the destination, there is only once at enjoyable temperatures a hop cold bowl and then goes with public transport into the city. Stupid only that Sunday is, and everything is closed. Then it just continues tomorrow with art and culture. And there is plenty of it here…
The cutest thing about this campground is the extra toddler toilets.
On the two following days, we comprehensively expand our historical and artistic knowledge repertoire through visits to museums and galleries. Of course, the famous Uffizi Gallery must not be missed, so we torture our child for two hours through paintings and statues. The city itself is also inspected extensively and rated as highly worth seeing.
Lightly tanned, in a good mood, and the camper filled with delicious wines, we head back home to make the promised embellishments in and on Susi at the next opportunity.
