So this last week has been pretty relaxed, we have alot of time to spend in Italy so have been winding our way through the foothills of the Alps, doing short days and relaxing in the sun. It’s been lovely.

At the start of the week, we had just crossed into Italy, and were heading to Turino. I had seen on Facebook that some of my Dutch family, my aunt Karlijn and cousin Tim, were on holiday in Turino so we were hoping to get there in time to meet up! Once we were into the basin which Turino is in the miles went quickly, and despite the heat we made it.

It was really lovely to catch up with Karlijn and Tim and they treated us to an amazing meal (thank you!). Turino was a great city, although when we cycled through the centre the next day it was pretty hectic.

After seeing Turino we had a few lazy days, doing few miles and enjoying lazing around in the mornings. We have had a few campsites where we have been able to pitch up next to a covered area which has been great, especially as a thunderstorm seems to start as soon as we have put the tent up each night!

We also stayed with Antonio and Eleonora (from warm showers), and had an amazing afternoon and evening with them, being shown around their village and having the most amazing home cooked meal. We are currently staying with Sandro (another warm showers host) who has also really welcomed us into his home, and came to meet us on route so we could ride together! Italians are SO kind and hospitable!

Although the campsites are more expensive (and you pay separately for hot showers!), and it’s raining most nights, we are really loving Italy. The people, the food and the landscapes are just incredible. The hills are definitely steeper than in France, so it’s been nice to do some shorter days.

We are planning on continuing our winding journey through the hills and around lake Como to lake guarda, but we are popping over to Switzerland for one night today, to another warm showers host!

Jade

Jim’s words – Gelato, Short, Chicken, Orange, Steep, Goats, Snake.