Now that our MOMO has undergone a thorough tune-up over the past few months, we’re heading to northern Italy today. Around noon, we’ll start the engine and set off for the Brenner Pass. First, we have to buy a GoBox and fill up the tank. Both of these tasks bring tears to our eyes given the prices. But we’re on our way to vacation, after all. Aside from the currently inevitable traffic jam at the Lueg Bridge, we make it over the mountains without a hitch and stop for our first overnight stay in Sterzing. There, we immediately soak up the Italian atmosphere and spend a lovely evening.
After our first night on our fantastic new mattresses, we really don’t want to get out of bed. We head on to Peschiera del Garda to a campsite that isn’t particularly pretty, but it’s functional. We unpack our new e-bikes right away and take a lovely 30-km ride along the Minicio River to Borghetto. It’s unbelievable how busy it already is here. We don’t even want to imagine what it’s like here in the summer. After we get back, we enjoy an Aperol Spritz in the evening sun with a view of Lake Garda.
Just a short 15-minute train ride away lies Verona, the famous city of Romeo and Juliet. Unfortunately, due to the dismantling of the Olympic closing ceremony set, we can only view the impressive Arena from the outside. We stroll across Piazza delle Erbe and wander through the romantic alleys. We have pizza for lunch and head back in the early afternoon.
The next morning, we move to a new spot and set up at the campsite in Borghetto. It’s much quieter there, and we like it much better. Today it’s cloudy, with light rain falling now and then. We take a walk to Valeggio sul Mincio. The town is known for its famous tortellini. These stuffed pasta are traditionally prepared with a filling made from various meats such as beef, pork, veal, and chicken. The thin, silky pasta wrapper and the aromatic filling make this dish an unforgettable culinary experience. Unfortunately, the tables at the trendy restaurant in town are fully booked for the next three days, so we buy the pasta at the store and make ourselves a delicious meal in the evening.
Today we did a 73-kilometer round trip to Mantua. It was lovely, and Mantua is a city well worth seeing, too.
We’ve caught the cycling bug, and today we’re taking a slightly shorter ride into the countryside, mostly on small side roads. We’re grateful for our e-bikes, since a strong headwind is constantly blowing in our faces. On a friend’s recommendation, we visit a small trattoria in Volta Mantovana and aren’t disappointed. A set meal including wine, water, and espresso for €15 per person. In high spirits, we then head back to our car.
Today we’re heading to the campground in Cremona. We take a stroll through town and enjoy a cappuccino in the piazza. Cremona is famous for its violin makers, and with its impressive cathedral, the piazza, and its 122-meter-high bell tower, it’s the perfect starting point for some lovely bike rides through the green Po Valley. And so the days pass by with cycling, sunbathing, and delicious food.
And then came the evening when we wanted to cycle quickly to Cremona for an Aperol Spritz. Unfortunately, Karin got off her bike so awkwardly that she twisted her knee. The next morning, it wasn’t any better, so we decided to cut the trip short and have the problem treated at home. And so our trip to northern Italy came to a rather abrupt end, and—much to the delight of our grandchildren—we have to take a six-week break until Karin is back on her feet.
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