A Drive Down the Italian Riviera

We said goodbye to our French hostess, Anushka, and drove once again towards Nice and Monaco leaving the scrubby limestone landscape of inland Provence behind us!

Most of our day was spent hugging the coastline admiring the colorful buildings and Mediterranean turquoise waters. Robert did great driving all the narrow curvy coastal roads that went up and down hillsides. Though anyone’s nerves would have been frayed from all of the motorcyclists who swerved in and out of lanes! We thought it was bad in France, but the motorcyclists were even more daring in Italy!

All natural Mediterranean scent for your laundry!
I love how everyone hangs clothes out to dry on lines outside their window.
Motorcycle parking in Santa Margherita Liguro:
The cycles are small and compact and equally number the amount of cars!

We drove down a small peninsula to the town of Santa Margherita Liguro in hopes of strolling around and enjoying a gelato. But alas it was VERY busy and we couldn’t find a place to park! Being a Saturday locals and tourists were out enjoying the lovely summer day!

The beach in Santa Margherita Liguro

We drove through Genoa and got to see active shipyards and two huge cruise ships. We finally made it to Impruneta, Italy, which is 20 minutes south of Firenze (Florence). Our hostess, Valentina, met us at the gate to the Castello di Cafaggio. Yes, we stayed in an old 18th century Tuscan castle!

Shipyards in Genoa, Italy
Driving through the main piazza in Impruneta. This was the nearest village for restaurants, shopping, and groceries.

Our apartment was one of the old townhomes originally owned by the farmhands. The Castello farm still produces wine (chianti) and olive oil. The two-story house was charming and perfectly set amongst the surrounding vineyards and rolling hills. Valentina recommended a little local pizza place in the nearby village of Ferrona. As the sun set we came home and took several photos of the vineyards, orchards and castle set against an intense red-orange Tuscan sunset!

Closeup of our townhome at Castello Cafaggio:
The farmhand townhomes were built in the late 18th century
Local Pizzaria
Castello Cafaggio
13 July 2019
The village of Impruneta as seen from the Castello Cafaggio
Sunset over a Tuscan vineyard