Cecina.

We left Casciano on the Saturday and drove to Cecina on the Tuscany Coast. Camping Tamerici was our choice. The site was about a 50 minute walk from the main towm but 10 minutes from a pleasant Marina with a good selection of bars and restaurants. We'd had a few storms so the sea was looking rough. Beach of grey sand wasn't up to much. Site good with an excellent pool and sun lounging area. A section is set aside with loungers and umbrellas for dogs. So Jonesy sat with us on a few afternoons Here for 6 nights. Yesterday the temperature dropped to about 14c but looking good for next few days.

The beach at Cecina

The beach at Cecina

The large pool at camping tamerici 

Casciano

 After our busy trips we were looking for a relaxing couple of days. So we headed to the sleepy village of Casciano and camping Le Soline, situated in the rolling hills of Tuscany. The site was run by a wire haired Daschund who came out to greet us, then started barking to summon an old guy who did the paperwork. Then the dog ran in front of the Motorhome and escorted us to our pitch.

All in all this was a relaxing two days were we caught up with our washing and had a swim in the excellent pool.  

Morning mist over the Tuscany hills

Jonesy meets the camp warden

Siena

 We didn't fancy an overnight stop in Siena as we are starting to get tourist fatigue. Lots of buses and walking, so we decided to park the bus close to the city, walk in, see the main attractions and then head for a campsite in the Tuscan hills for some chillin out. Found a good free parking spot 10 minutes from city gate, did a Lightning Tour and then got to them there fine hills. Here are the photos of Siena.

 

Florence

 Arrived at Camping Firenza about 11pm. Cost 35e plus 6e tourist tax. Jumped the site bus into Florence for 3e each return. Jonesy free. Visited most of the main attractions. Unfortunately a lot of the attractions are galleries and museums which we couldn't access with a dog. Another great afternoon. A classy city with expensive jewellery shops. too  expensive to replace Barbs lost earings which dropped on the floor of the motorhome and rolled into a magical, never to be found make believe world. As with any big city there are people on the make and prices were a little higher. Still loved it though. Back early to site for a swim in the lovely pool.

Lucca

 Travelled 75 miles south to the beautiful fortress city of Lucca. Not many sites close to the city so on the recommendation of an English couple we met the other day we headed to a garage on the edge of the walled city. In the back parking yard behind the garage the owner has made an amazing area for 10 motorhomes. Toilets , shower, water . drain electric hook up . 20e a night but thats enough. But it was worth it just for the owners friendliness and hospitality. When a 1964 LHD Rolls Royce came into the garage he invited me to take a look and invited me to sit in the back. We loved the city. Stopped for a coffee next to Puccini's museum that was blasting out his best Aria's. Apparently Puccini came from the city. Walked for about 4 hours taking in the sites but will probably return to night for a meal and drink.

Another Jolly Good Day.

 Saturday 19th another walk to the station. 6 euros each got us to Santa Margharita (return). Walked out of station straight onto a bus , 5 euros each return and after a beautiful 15 minute drive along a splendid bay we arrived in the amazing Portofino. For a Saturday it wasn't that busy. We walked around and took loads of photies. Despite what we'd heard the restaurants weren't that pricey although the trendy shops were. Enormous expensive boats moored all along the quayside and in the harbour a bit St Tropez style. A really nice place but as I walked about I thought about all of these lovely places like this place and the 5 villages of the Cinque Terra and then I started to get an irritating thought in my head that annoyed me like a pimple on the end of my nose. Its just this....If we travel all this way to see these great places ...how come we never go to Blackpool ....the most visited resort in Europe. Aye eck! Bye gum.....must tell the mayor of Portofino he needs to consider getting a Tower built then the real classy people will come and visit.

Portofino

Portofino

The Jolly Good Day continued as we returned. When on the train we counted the stops as we went along...the third one would be Siestri Levante. But....when we got off the third one we discovered we had arrived in Lavagne. Not too bad a place had a walk around for an hour then got back on train. When we eventually arrived back at motorhome around 4pm Jonesy was shattered so we left him in the van. got on our bikes with our swimming togs and headed back into Sestri Levante. 

After a lovely cooling swim in the Bay of Silencio we wandered through the old harbour area of Sestri and then took the cycle path that runs along the Promenade. I have changed my position on Sestri Levante, if you stick to the tourist area it really is quite nice and worth a visit. Its just that the position of the campsite means that you always have to walk through the dull unatrractive urban area to get anywhere. Here are some more photies of Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante , the Bay of Silencio

Looking along the waterfront of Sestri Levante.

Sestri Levante , the Bay of Silencio

Sestri Levante main prom area.

Videos of Cinque Terra

 

Cinque Terra.

 An excellent day out. It was busy but because of the virus it was pleasant and not too crowded. A long day that saw us also take in The Cinque Terra villages and the town of Levanto. We covered a distance of 13 miles walking. Today Jonesy is still in bed at 11am !

Monterosso Al Mare

Monterosso Al Mare

Vernazza

Vernazza

Manarola

Manarola

Riomaggiore

Siestri Levante.

 Can't make my mind up about this place. On a nice ACSI site on edge of town. 30 minute unattractive walk through urban area to get to the nice part. Its 70% working town, 30% nice tourist section. Main prom beach area grey shingle and mainly private sectioned off and pay as you enter. Round the corner in a separate bay is the Bay del Silencio. Much more attractive, see photos. Eating and drinking a bit more expensive than Iseo area. 9 euros each to get to Levanto on train where you get off and buy the Cinque Terra day train pass for 16 euros each. Then get back on the next train for Cinque Terra (total 50 e )

What a difference.

 In contrast to last Sunday and the Lycra clad Germans tearing down the cycle path, Sunday evening on the prom at Iseo was marked by sheer elegance and beauty. Crowds of beautiful Italians just strolling at a slow pace enjoying the late evening sun. No matter how much money us English spend on clothes we never look as good as they do. We enjoyed a pint at our now 'local' , The Green Pepper and then found a lovely restaurant to further watch the fashion parade.

Monday saw another dramatic contrast, the Sunday crowds had departed and the prom looked almost deserted yet another magical moment just sitting outside The Green Pepper watching the sun go down.

Not quite the Italian look. 

Saturday swimming.

 Found the public lido so took a swim. There is another lido next to it that has a big pool with sunbeds, cost about 10 euros a day. Barbara seen here swimming with a young Swan. 

Look who our next door neighbour is.

 Little 11 months old Paco from Germany. They both sit looking at each other for long periods. 

Really loving Iseo.

 Weather not been a problem as it has remained sunny and around 27c every day. Whole area quiet. Yesterday we took the ferry over to the island, 7 euros each and 3 for Jonesy. We didn't march or hiked just a leisurely stroll right round the island. A distance of about 7 miles. We stopped many times to take in the views, had a coffee and later a really tasty lunch with a gorgeous view. A memorable day. Iseo shouldn't be missed and in my opinion is the best of the lakes.

Worth mentioning, and it hasn't been a problem for us, is that most sites are right next to a railway line. First train is just after 5am and last about 8pm. But these lakeside pitches and views make up for it.