Road Trip!

We left Florence at 8am on Friday, so we could get a head start on our road trip for the day.  Our first stop... Potenza Picena.  We drove almost 4 hours to the east coast of Italy where Potenza Picena is.  There I introduced my family to the Boccaccini's.  When we first arrived, introductions were made.  Everyone laid by the pool until lunch time.  For lunch Michela made seafood pasta.  It was delicious as always.  My family was able to learn why I didn't want to leave.  They got the full experience of the summer home.  They were able to eat lunch looking at the most beautiful view of the fields and vineyard.  After lunch and some lively conversation, we started to get ready to part ways.  I had to get my extra piece of luggage that I didn't drag along when I first left.  Alfredo gave us some directions that would help us avoid traffic on our way to our next stop... Praiano, Amalfi Coast.

After we said our goodbyes, we drove away through the town of Potenza Picena.  Our drive went exceedingly well for the evening.  We left at 3pm, and we were expected to arrive at the hotel by 9pm.  We drove through sunshine and rain.  We drove on highways and backroads.  We drove through mountains and along the beach.  We stopped briefly at a rest stop, so we could stretch our legs and get some snacks.  We didn't stop for dinner because the hotel was providing dinner.

Around 8pm we approached the Amalfi Coast, so in one day we went from the east coast to the west coast.  The view of the Amalfi Coast was absolutely breathtaking (not that I was looking or anything since I was driving).  The drive along the Amalfi Coast was very similar to the mountain drive we took to Florence, except the roads are smaller, people are walking along the sides, and there is a lot of traffic.  I took my time driving the coast because I didn't want the family to end up in the water.  The 26km drive along the Amalfi Coast was interesting.  I didn't scratch the car once, but I did hit a pedestrian that walked out into the street out of nowhere (witness: Charlie).  The guy wasn't hurt.  I was going maybe 15 km/h, so it wasn't fast.  After I hit him, he kept walking and I kept driving.  As we got closer to Praiano, I did hit a parked scooter.  I guess the word I should be using is "tapped" instead of "hit."  I "tapped" a pedestrian, and I "tapped" the parked scooter.  As I continued driving, Charlie said it was still standing.  We finally made it to the hotel, Villa Bellavista.  I passed it because it was poorly marked, so I had to make a u-turn.  We got extremely lucky because after I turned around I found the perfect parking spot on the street.  We will NOT be moving the car again until we leave on Monday.

Charlie and mom went in search of the hotel, while Kathleen and I stayed at the car with all of our things.  They came back out of breath.  Apparently the hotel was about 200 stairs down the cliff.  Granted we are going down the stairs, but I guess we are going to have to come up at some point as well.

After we got settled in our room with the balcony view of the water, we headed to dinner.  The hotel served us a delicious plate of spaghetti.  I wasn't very hungry, but I ate a little bit.  Then it was off to bed for me.  After driving for about 10 hours in one day, I was ready for a good night's sleep.  All I can say is WOW!  One day in Italy and I see both coastlines.