Tuscany 2014 - Day 1

Thursday, 17 July 2014

To keep Lisa busy, we start packing our suitcases. The choice of clothes is very spartan, the suitcase only covers the floor, so it is practically empty.

Friday, 18 July 2014

Together with mom, the suitcase is packed properly and everything is taken that might be needed during the 8 days.

Saturday, July 19, 2014 - Day 1

Lisa is ready to leave at 9, but we all cuddle in bed and then we set off a little after 11. We stop at the ATM and the gas station and then we hit the highway.

In contrast to previous trips, it is immediately apparent that we are travelling on a Saturday holiday. Lots of Czechs, Poles, Slovakians and Austrians are heading south. But it is a problem-free, relaxed journey. At the caretaker beaches on the upper Adriatic we are briefly stuck in a traffic jam, but the predicted arrival time of around 7 p.m. is realistic. On the way from Venice to Bologna the satnav suddenly jumps to an arrival time of around 9:30 a.m.

We stop for a snack and as we continue our journey the satnav keeps showing construction sites and traffic jams, but they never come. Due to the extreme delay shown, I agree with the satnav's suggestion and we are guided through Bologna and onto the road parallel to the motorway. There it turns out that the traffic is moving along normally. This makes me think and since the suggested alternative route is supposed to lead over the mountain roads, I have to act.

Lisa, who grew up as a “digital native”, relies entirely on the navigation system:

“Dad, you’re going the wrong way, listen to the satnav and stop driving in different directions, turn now!”

But I ignore the sat nav completely and switch to analog 3D navigation with automatic traffic sign and signpost recognition, which is intuitively compared with the latest map update that still runs on the old computer from 1969 and with old data sets from previous trips - and drive back onto the motorway.

In summary, if you follow all the detour instructions on the sat nav, you will certainly get to know the country and its people, but if you want to get to your destination in a reasonably timely manner, you simply have to ignore the good sat nav and use your brain and common sense to help you.

Due to the pilot's superficial, analogue preparation, we leave Firenze Nord and head straight for the autostrada to Pisa Nord. But it's not so bad, we find the accommodation before 8 and it's idyllically situated on a hill, but as always: where are the K's?

There are three Danish cars in the parking lot, two Swiss, one French and one from Tulln. Quite a lot of people compared to previous trips, but better than Germans/Dutch or even noisy Americans.

We hear cool music coming from the upper floor, that's where we have to go. Christian, Bettina and Ella are already busy preparing dinner. Beer is served straight away and Ella and Lisa are already out exploring and won't be seen again until dinner.

Traditionally, there is pasta with sugo. Lisa catches a firefly and lets it flash through the dark kitchen. Off to bed shortly after midnight.