This is my third time driving in Italy. Fortunately we have only had to deal with 2 Autostrade, where there are toll booths some manned and others not. It’s the unmanned that are the problem. Everything I’d read said that a credit card or Apple Pay would be sufficient to get through the toll gate. Of course the first one we pull up to is change only. What a fiasco, honking horns and finally someone just let us through.
The construction zones, with reduced speeds from between 40-60 KPH down from 90-130 KPH. They narrow to one lane and go on and on with absolutely no construction, equipment or people.
Next are the drivers, maybe it’s because we have had our longest day driving and it was my day to drive. Everyone stays to the right, unless passing, turn signals are optional, as is the speed limit and driving in your lane as opposed to straddling the line (rare, but it happens). Off ramp lanes are short, but ignored so speed can be kept to the maximum before the turn off. Just dart off the highway while slowing in the through lane. Passing is a national sport, the more daring the better. Even though we were on a lot of two lane country roads, there is no relaxing while driving.
Pete and I each have our strengths when it comes to driving. I’m usually the best navigator and he is an amazing driver through the tiniest little openings without wrecking the car. We ended up switching driving when we got to Lamezia Terme. The car’s GPS totally failed sending us in circles, up tiny dead end streets and down the wrong way on one-way lanes. I ended up navigating with Google maps on my phone, not perfect but an improvement. We got to within a half block of the hotel and called it good with a free parking space. White lines mean free, yellow are for residents and blue are paid parking.
We are staying in the Historic district and are enjoying the surrounding architecture.
The drive was interesting with an amazing mix of vegetation. There were evergreens, huge, tall clumps of cactus, olive trees (we haven’t seen many to eat, so must be pressed into oil), orange trees, grapes and palm trees. These different specimens were all growing together.
Thanks for reading, after checking in to our hotel we went out for pizza and beer. Driving recovery is well underway! Hallelujah!
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