Featured South Of France And Italy

Might be ....................................

 

Trip report August 2017 - South of France and Italy

Set off on Friday the 18th August and road from Aigurande with two pals in a sidecar outfit to Le Puy en Velay en route for the south.





They seem to love building on huge great pillars of rock !

Meant to leave Le Puy heading south east, actually left in the direction of North East as my pal had a GPS with him.

Anyway eventually got on the right roads and headed south and arrived at our overnight stop at Avignon. Stopped in a Premiere Classe hotel, excellent value, not overflowing with luxury features !!!



Anyway, had a good dinner with Leffe and red splosh so all was good. During the nigh there appeared to be a lot of snoring and farting !!

Following morning headed further SE towards Cannes and Nice, where we stopped and I dipped my tootsies in the Med (bucket list thing), then carried on into Italy via one of the most most coast roads I have ever seen. The blue Med just metres away from us, road twisting left and right, sailing yachts following us - really just beautiful.

Stopped at Imperia for lunch then into the mountains and our hotel for 2 nights. Family run place beautifully set high up near a ski place we were welcomed with open arms by Andreo and his family and several cold beers.



After installing ourselves in the rooms, we had dinner. 3 different hand done pasti dishes, then mountains of horse stew and and excellent Italian red wine - Barolo from memory.

This was followed up by plates full of multiple deserts, coffee and there version of locally made liquor. Cleans the palette very thoroughly !!!

 

The following day spent touring around at a nice gentle place and absorbing some culture. At Villecourt we saw a church with the largest eliptical dome IN THE WORLD! Inside the decoration was just stunning. Just like I imagine the Sistine Chapel, but much bigger.



Had coffee in the Grande Piazza surrounded lots of beautiful Italian woman - it was 'orrible !!

Arrived back at the hotel for another beer/great grub & wine.


Following morning packing up, taking pics of the family and off we go, heading north east towards Cuneo and then Barolo.



I have never seen so many vines so expertly kept. Wonderful architecture and frescos, especially in Cuneo. They do great café too !!





Then lunch..................

 

So now we are gradually starting our loop home.

Passing north of Turin we head up the Aoste valley. Beautiful roads, gorgeous scenary and find our hotel for the night. It's run by the Adams family !!!! I daren't take any pics as I didn't want to damage me camera. However we managed to find a nice bar with excellent beer and a strange tradition - if you order pints (what other size is there?) - you get a free plate of delicious mini sandwiches !! Four pints later we'd had dinner !!!

In the morning we move towards Courmeyeur and the start of the Col de Petit St Bernard. The roads the views are off the scale !!!! We pass by the foot of Mont Blanc





We pass the Col safely and head for Chambéry for a night stop and dinner - the most expensive of the whole trip !!!

The following morning we head for home.

Some facts :

Fuel costs E10 95 unleaded per ltr - France 1,27€; Italy 1,50 to 1,71€

Hotel costs total about £100 per person

The dinners including ALL drinks at the ski lodge place 30€ per person per night

Distance travelled - about 2500 kms

Road tolls - lots of little ones (1 or 2€) plus perhaps 2 or 3 at 10€ ish


I'll be going back to Italy as soon as I can - I just loved it.

 

I can't mate tbh. I found it such an eye-opener in terms of scenery, people, food & drink, architecture and art - just a big positive shock to me and I loved it.

 

Hi Mick and thanks for the reply. Francesco's Italy - is that on UK television ? Don't worry, I've just found it on Youtube.

Many thanks for the suggestion.

Just started watching from Tip to toe - this is gonna be good - he's driving around in an Alfa Romeo !!!!!!

 

Thanks mate, it does feel wonderful knowing I can go pretty-much anywhere in Europe, without having to get on a ferry/chunnel etc.

Next year is looking like a trip to Prague for culture and beer, plus another run to Italy.