After a very quick visit to Nice (which will have to be longer next time (and I am assuming there will be a next time!)), it was off on the road again to Italy. Which fortunately was only an hour away.
Although our actual destination in Italy was a little bit further, so we got to take in a little bit of the countryside as we drove through, or as much as you can see from the motorways anyway.
I spent a bit of time behind the wheel on the way to Italy and I must say, it was a little bit of blood-pressure-raising business! After being spoilt in Switzerland and France with fairly wide motorway roads and polite drivers, the Italian motorways were absolutely tiny. I'm amazed that people could go faster than me (at 110kmph) in these lanes that literally only just about fit the cars in.
There's a reason why Italian cars are designed small I think.
And not to mention, Italian drivers are pretty brutal on the roads. Gotta watch for yourself there!
Fortunately while I got left behind in Italian motor vehicle dust, I got to enjoy a couple of alps and mountains, it was generally quite a pretty part of the country to drive through.
Whilst our destination was Figline Valdarno in Tuscany, as Pisa was on our way, we made a pit stop.
And well, did some very touristy things. You have to. It's also absolutely hilarious to just sit back and watch other tourists do their own touristy things. Everyone was just standing with their hands up in their air, whilst their (usually male) partner leans all the way back with the camera and does their little artistic wink while composing the picture.
I personally loved Dad's idea. Favourite-ist picture ever!
We also had our first taste of Italian gelato on the way out of the Leaning Tower of Pisa area. Just a small, wee shop right by the exit on the farside, away from all the hawkers and tourist trap souvenirs. Oh my. I don't know how or why it's so much better, but it just is. The flavours are genuine, rich and authentic. The texture…oh the texture, words can't describe! It's creamy but light and just bursting with flavour. There's really nothing better on a warm ( or even not so warm) day.
And one other thing that's fantastic. It is SO cheap. Like 1.5 euros for one scoop or something stupid like that?
The man who served us was adorable, I loved his little hat and that excellent moustache.
Mum and Tim vote yes to Italian gelato.
And one more shot for the road.
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