But first things first. Watching San Marino come alive as the sun rose was awesome. I was up as usual around 4:30am and was moving between our room and the hotel hallway taking photos. Then it was breakfast time, packing the bags, one more final gift to purchase, and then we hit the road.
We had a choice of three options, one which took us back to the coast, then over the Appenines, but based on past experience that does not necessarily mean coastal viewing, so it was out. The other two were over Appenines, though one was more "A" road and less "S" road (that means tunnels and higher tolls), the chosen option being more "S" road and then a run into Roma on the "A" road. "S" roads are basically the highway roads that linked towns before the Autostradas came into being. They are max speed of 90kmh, usually windy and narrow, though occasionally if it is a traffic route between major towns with HGV traffic, they are wider and may reach 110kmh speed limits.
And what an option it was. Nirvana whether on bicycle, motorbike or in a good handling car. The BMW SUV at least had Tiptronic and Sports mode, so I made the most of breaking in the driving gloves with some spirited driving. Tight Twisties which are called Fonzies in Italy, we'll post a picture so you get what we mean, abounded. By the time we got to Arezzo, we were both a little queasy from the listing of the Beemer around corners. Plenty of cyclists and moto riders out also enjoying themselves and I did see one Maserati driver obviously going to enjoy the roads.
Following that it was through some more villages through the valleys, more photo opportunities for stuff we were not expecting, the forte or castle in Anghiari was an unpected pleasure. So glad to have taken this option. Then it was the Autostrada into Roma, around 273kms in a shade over 2 hours.
We battled the Roma Saturday afternoon traffic which is actually quite tame now after 2 weeks of driving in Italy, back to our security blanket of Palazzo del Velabro. A nice modern room, even bigger than our previous offerings here. We're just chilling catching the 2nd last stage of the Giro on TV (so nice to watch a Grand Tour in real time in daylight on TV). An early'ish dinner is planned and early night to get some rest.
Tomorrow Lorraine wants to see the Pope at the Vatican, we also have the Pantheon and Spanish Steps planned. Monday we've decided to head out to Tivoli for the day.
Oh Lorraine also did some video of me parking the car outside Palazzo del Velabro, trying to show the tight squeeze that it is. There is also some video of the Austostrada.
Enjoy the pictures and Ciao.
Sean & Lorraine
Photos2017-05-26 San Marino + Road Trip
2017-05-27 Back to Roma (plus some pictures of San Marino)
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