Adventure Italy: Through Tuscany by motorhome

Bist du bereit für eine Reise, die deine Sinne verzaubern wird? Stell dir vor, du fährst mit dem Wohnmobil durch eine der malerischsten Regionen Italiens: die Toskana! Hier findest du eine perfekte Mischung aus atemberaubender Natur, reichhaltiger Kultur und köstlicher italienischer Küche. Der Anfahrtsweg ist nicht gerade kurz – 1.300 Kilometer sind es von Berlin nach Lucca, und auch von München aus ist man, bis man endlich ankommt, 7 bis 8 Stunden unterwegs. Die Anreise erfolgt in der Regel über den Brennerpass via Bozen, Trient, und Verona. Danach hast Du die Wahl zwischen einer sehr gut ausgebauten, dafür aber stauträchtigen Autobahn A1 via Florenz und der landschaftlich malerischen, dafür aber streckenweise halsbrecherischen Autostrada della Cisa (A15). Wenn Du Dir die lange Anfahrt nicht geben möchtest, kannst Du natürlich auch mit dem Flugzeug anreisen und vor Ort ein Rent a campervan. Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport is easily accessible with low-cost airlines, while more expensive airlines also fly to Florence. 

The historic city of Lucca

Lucca is a city of just under 90,000 inhabitants, which is known for its well-preserved Renaissance city walls and charming old town centre. Park your motorhome and take some time to stroll through the cobbled streets. Among the sights you shouldn't miss are the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, where the Roman amphitheatre once stood, Lucca Cathedral and the two observation towers Torre Guinigi and the Torre delle Ore. Treat yourself to a real Italian ice cream to relax or simply sit down in the nearest bar to drink an espresso. Unlike in Germany, this usually costs no more than 1 euros, although the coffee tastes much better than at home in the north. If you're hungry, we recommend a focaccina with pecorino, salami or Parma ham, because nowhere is focaccia as good as in Tuscany. 

Viareggio - carnival and endless sandy beaches 

From Lucca, the journey to Viareggio takes just half an hour and is well worth it. Although the town is significantly smaller than the provincial capital of Lucca, it has an incredible amount to offer with its kilometres of sandy beaches and one of the most impressive carnivals in the world - especially for families with children. The carnival takes place every year in February and the Viareggini prepare for this festival year after year. They invest hundreds of hours of manual labour in rehearsing dances and performances, but above all in setting up the elaborately designed carnival floats, some of which are more than 20 metres high and even tower over the town's houses. The kilometre-long beach promenade, where the carnival also takes place, is lined with shops and ice cream parlours as well as restaurants serving a wide variety of specialities. The harbour is home to one of the largest yacht shipyards in Europe, and the view of the luxurious ships being launched here or undergoing maintenance in Viareggio is more than impressive. Swimming in the sea is possible from June to September. Most of the bathing establishments directly on the seafront charge a fee. However, you can also swim for free and park your motorhome easily if you drive out of the town centre, make a detour around the harbour and then take Viale Europa. There you will not only find free public beaches, but also a number of restaurants and clubs where you can party late into the night. You shouldn't miss out on the city centre itself either. There are numerous cultural sights there, such as the Villa of Paulina BonaparteNapoleon's favourite sister, from the 19th century, which is also known as "Il rifugio di Venere" ("Venus' refuge"). The markets are also great, where you can buy not only excellent food but also freshly caught fish.

Onward journey to Florence

The journey from Viareggio to Florence takes a good hour by motorhome. The capital of Tuscany is a must-see! Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the Renaissance and visit the impressive Uffizi art museum. A stroll along the Ponte Vecchio is of course a must, as is a visit to Florence Cathedral, which can hold up to 5,000 people. If you like art, a visit to the original statue of David is an absolute highlight. Two important tips: Firstly, we do not recommend driving into the city centre in a motorhome, as Florence is so overcrowded that you will almost certainly not find a parking space. Incidentally, you should only park where it is legal, otherwise you could face severe penalties, which are also enforced in Germany. Secondly, we recommend that you take a look at the prices before you stop off at one of the restaurants in the immediate vicinity of the main sights. Here, even a simple espresso can quickly cost 5 euros or more, even though you can get it 100 metres away for a third of the price. 

The charm of Siena

After Florence, the journey continues to Siena, known for its beautiful Piazza del Campo and majestic cathedral. Siena offers a great opportunity to spend the night on a centrally located pitch so that you can enjoy the city's night-time flair. If you have the opportunity to visit Siena in July or August, you should not miss the city's most important event: The Palio, ultimately a city-wide equestrian competition, begins every year at the beginning of July and lasts until mid-August. The festival has existed since Roman times, although the horse races were first organised in the thirteenth century.

Volterra and the Tuscan countryside

Another fascinating stop is Volterra, a city full of charm and historical wealth. The surrounding landscape is simply breathtaking - just the right setting for your road trip. Stop, take a deep breath and enjoy the views offered by the rolling hills and picturesque villages.

Graduation in Pisa

Your final stage takes you to Pisa, where of course a photo with the iconic leaning tower is a must. But Pisa has much more to offer! Explore the impressive Camposanto cemetery, take a walk along the city walls or simply explore the city centre, where you can stop for a bite to eat. It doesn't have to be expensive, by the way, because you can get top-quality pizza and focaccia on practically every corner.

Have a good journey

Travelling through Tuscany by motorhome offers the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. What's more, no-one can beat this region for culinary delights. So don't be surprised if you return home as a Tuscany fan boy (or girl) - to paraphrase Peter Fox - and soon get that Tuscany wanderlust again.