E16: A few thoughts on Italy

Treviso is the further most point that we will do on this tour, therefore it is effectively the ‘turning point’.  From here we meander our way back towards Scotland.

We have enjoyed our time in Italy so far and still have a few more days to go, however, Italy has not yet given us that ‘must come back’ feeling.  It is indeed a nice country to visit, with plenty of culture, good food and wine etc to experience but we have just not ‘bonded’ with Italy.

The roads are frenetic, not in the best of condition (apart from the AutoStradas) and Italian drivers are a law unto them selves!  They seem to have little respect for speed limits and if you ‘dare’ to drive at the legal speed limit, for example 50 KPH through a built up area, they will sit right on your tail and ‘bully’ you, especially the lorries!  We have found that even in the remotest of places the roads are very busy (and that is at this time of year!)

Northern Italy seems densely populated (unlike rural France) which has surprised us.  Perhaps we expected too much.  Also the people are not overtly friendly and appear quite conservative, for example few people will look you in the eye when passing you in the street, and people are often surprised at ‘British politeness’.

Italy has marketed itself very well, particularly ‘The Lakes’ and the Architecture, however much of Italy is a big urban sprawl with everyone in a race to reach wherever they are going.  Many tourist attractions are expensive to visit and present the road traveller with problems.  Parking is a big issue in Italy and well policed, whilst this appears to be a good thing it can make touring surprisingly fraught, particularly in a Campervan or Motorhome.

Locally produced food and wine is good and reasonably priced.  The shops and supermarkets are adequate but not generally what we are used to in the UK.

The streets are clean of litter (and dog fouling, unlike France!) but the levels of graffiti and dilapidated builds are more on a par with Portugal (even in Venice).  This part of Italy is lush and green with a very clement climate at this time of year.

I realise as I write this that much of what I have said is only really relevant to those of you travelling to Italy in a motorhome, but I know that many reading this are intending to do just that.  Perhaps Italy is one of those countries that is best explored by public transport (excellent and well priced trains), and more suited to ‘holidaying’ than touring.

As for Venice, it is on one hand spectacular and unique, on the other hand it is ‘tourist central’ and you will be fleeced for everything.  Maybe we have seen so many wonderful places over the last two years that we are not so easily impressed.

Katy and I have a reputation for ‘rushing’ around on our tours and this one is probably no exception, however, if you only have a few weeks to spare then Italy is not an easy place to visit by road.  It is not the easiest of countries to get around and probably one of the more expensive in Europe.

Do not confuse these comments with dissatisfaction, we are indeed enjoying our trip.  I am simply pointing out that Italy might not be everything you hoped for….

Italy is nice, but as a little old Dutch couple that we met in Portugal last year said……. "France has everything, why go any where else?”…… I’m beginning to think they may have a point…..

I would imagine that I will have more to say in a few days time, that is the beauty of ‘Blogging’, say it as it is, or as it appears to be!

Tara