Saturday, 23 June 2018

Trasimeno


Lake Trasimeno
We arrived at Camping  Lake Trasimeno on Saturday and it is absolutely beautiful the facilities are amazing and everywhere is spotless.  We  have a lake pitch which is huge and within no time at all we have set up the van had a delicious lunch of mozzarella, tomatoes, avocado and parma ham and Jim is thinking about going for a swim.
The lake is beautiful and so calm I have been in for a swim but it is Jim who absolutely loves it he swims every morning about 7am.
Since we have been here we have walked to the local town Passignano and had coffee and croissants in a little cafe for 5 euros.  We  also went on the train to Puglia which had an amazing underground fort. We So pleased we have booked 2 weeks here it is so peaceful and the temptation is to relax by the lake every day but we do have some outings planned.

Tonight we have eaten at the restaurant at our campsite and the food was really good, mixed seafood to start, more seafood for Jim pasta for me and 2 lovely desserts, so pleased we still have another week here.










Thursday, 21 June 2018

Florence


Florence 

10th June
We arrive at Camping Ferenzie in Town and thank goodness there are lots of spaces as we didn’t prebook. Campsite is way above anything we have stayed in so far amazing facilities, 2swimming pools, laundry room and really lovely restaurant and bar with live music and still only 38 euros a night.
Catch the shuttle into Florence in the afternoon just to try and get our bearings for tomorrow and it is beautiful.
11th June Catch afternoon shuttle and visit the Duomo and San Lorenzo and just walk round looking at the amazing statues and buildings. Eat at a restaurant called Trattoria Casalinga recommended by a local couple who we met when we had a drink and food is lovely and even have room for desserts. Have got a bus ticket as we knew we would miss the shuttle but the bus stop proves very elusive and in the end we have to get a cab which is much better as we would have had a 700 metre walk when we got of the bus.
12th June We make an early start today as the weather has been so hot so by 9am we are climbing the steps up to the statue of David and an amazing view of Florence, then visit the Boboli gardens which are ok but huge and the weather is really hot already, head back to square after having ice cream from La Carraia which is delicious.
Three days has probably been long enough as it’s about a 30 minute walk into the main area from where our shuttle drops us and the weather has been very hot, it has been lovely to have ours site to go back to where we can have a swim and cool off.









Friday, 15 June 2018

Bourgiono Italy




Bourgiono Italy 7th June

We decided to do this drive on the motorway as well and thank goodness as it would have probably taken all day if not, we drove through at least 138 tunnels and probably the same amount of bridges to get to our first campsite the Miraflores in Rapallo, they are really friendly and Lorraina gives us lots of info on places to visit by train and boat. Pitches are a lot smaller here but still have swimming pool so all good. 

In the afternoon we walk into the town which has a lovely seafront and delicious ice cream.
We had our first bar b que of the holiday as in France they are not permitted, really lovely and made a change not cooking inside the van plus Jim did it ..........even better.8th June catch the bus into Margarita and from there get the boat to Portofino which is absolutely beautiful with amazing shops and beautiful little restaurants.  We stopped for pasta and a glass of wine and then caught the boat back.  To stay here in one of the luxury hotels such as the  Belmont Splendido Mare is 850 euros a night.
9th June we made the decision last night to visit the Cinque Terre today even though the weather forecast was for thunderstorms but we woke up and the sun was shining.  We travelled by train to Monterosso and then a boat to travel around the villages.  These 
villages built into the cliffs are amazing and we get off at the last one Riomaggiore which is really pretty. There are lots of tiny take away restaurants with just a bench outside selling fried mixed fish and vegetables in a cone and we opt for this for lunch and it’s delicious. 
We had thought we might walk to the next village but it’s so hot we catch the boat back which is just leaving.
Have an ice cream sundae in Rapallo to finish of the day, leaving for Florence tomorrow.















Tuesday, 12 June 2018

Au revoir France



Au revoir  France
Our last three days in Nice have been really good which included a visit to Antibes where we had a wonderful meal of onion tart then the most delicious cold rare beef and chips and pistachio creme brûlée plus a bottle of red all excellent.  Our last day we visited Nice beach here it was still stony the only difference was that all the bars had sun loungers that you could hire and one even had jacuzzis.  Finished the day back at little beach bar near campsite for huge burger and chips.








Favourite place has to be Antibe - it has a beautiful harbour full of incredible yachts a lovely town and excellent restaurants.

Friday, 8 June 2018

Our journey to Nice



On our way to Nice 4th June

We left Avignon at about 10.30 and travelled on the toll roads as it is much quicker and all was going well until we reached the last toll where you just had to pay without a ticket, this would have been okay except  all the barriers were for cars or tokens which we don’t have. We ended up in a token booth all automated of course and then poor Jim had to reverse back out which was a bit hairy. Discover there is just one toll we can use and finally we are back on the road.
Campsite in Nice La Vieille Ferme is still lovely just a bit more organised than the other three and we are allocated a space but plenty of room and there is a swimming pool which Jim is quick to try out and comes back looking a lot more relaxed.
5th June we visit the local beach very stony a bit like Brighton and there is a lovely cafe where we have lunch.
6th June we catch the train to Monacco and take the bus tour which was really good, also visit the Casino but no gambling!! 














Monday, 4 June 2018

Back on the road again



Back on the road again

Weather is beautiful again this morning but we have about a 3 1/2 hour drive so get going about 10.30.  We have an all singing all dancing sat nav but when it comes to dealing with closures and diversions it cannot compete with the one on my phone which came into its own today when a tunnel was closed - I could feel Jim’s reluctance as I shouted get in the other lane after all I am not known for my navigational skills, but he changed lanes and we did it,  up and down side streets around dozens of roundabouts and finally after about 40 minutes we were back on the main road. Finally arrived at our campsite Fontisson  near Avignon after 5 1/2 hours of driving - good job we are staying 2 nights as we are exhausted.
Once again campsite is lovely and after dinner I sit outside for a while just enjoying the peace and quiet Jim is already in the land of nod.
Spend the morning at the swimming pool which we have to ourselves not bad for 16 euros with electric hook up.
Brilliant sunshine this morning rain in the afternoon so bar b que food has to go in the oven but we are used to that at home!! Late night as watch The Handmades Tale 

On iPad and it’s so upsetting that I have  to watch Bake off the Proffesionals afterwards .