In a previous life — the one that provided me with a bi-weekly paycheck — I regularly drove the Italian Autostrada dei Fiori (Highway of Flowers), or A10.
Weaving a colorful, elevated path above the Mediterranean Sea, from Genoa down to Ventimiglia, the A10 crosses over into France, becomes Autoroute A8, or La Provençale, and continues its scenic jaunt down the Côte d’Azur, in unbelievable shades of blue, until it ends in Aix-en-Provence.
Because of the white-knuckle curves I had to negotiate, due to the breakneck speeds with which I foolishly drove to get to my final destination — Cannes, twice a year — I rarely dared a glance out the side window to take in the picture-postcard perfect, pastel-colored scenery that I was racing past.
Why I didn’t bother to slow down, I’ll never know. In a hurry, I guess, or just plain stupid. Take your pick.
But, that was then, and this is now.
No longer burdened by the responsibilities that surrounded the aforementioned bi-weekly paycheck, I’m off on a nary-a-care-in-the-world, leisurely drive back down the A10-A8 route, with plenty of time to stop and smell the lemons, oranges, honeysuckle and hundreds of other fragrances along the way, not to mention great tasting wines and mouth-watering foods.
If you’ll pack a bag I’ll make room for it in the trunk of my car, and I’ll let you ride shotgun, fiddle with the radio and set the GPS for Bordighera, Dolceacqua, Mortola Superiore, Latte, Saints Raphaël-Maxime-Tropez, Cavalaire, Les Issambres and Antibes.
Deal?
Then, buckle up and get ready for a series of dispatches to be filed from the Italian and French sides of the Riviera.
Can I get a BUON VIAGGIO and/or a BON VOYAGE?
©The Palladian Traveler | ©Tom Palladio Images
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Best road trip in the world!
You’ve got that right, Lady Puddingshire 🙂
Riding shotgun! Where’s our first stop? 🙂
You’ll have to wait until I post it to find out. 🙂
Looking forward to it …..
Nice to have you along, Paige.
I’m in. I need a few days of leisure, beauty, and just plain fun. Can’t wait to see where you’ll take us.
I’m packing my bag now. I can’t wait to set the GPS. Let’s go, and Buon viaggio..
Indeed you can! Bon Voyage! Sounds fantastic!
On your trip along the Italian Rivera on your way to the French Rivera, if you go through San Remo give a full salute to the city for me. Thanks to AFN I was able to be sent their for interviews with several of America’s great singers and composers, such as Sammy Cahn, Paul Anka and Sachel Diestel (He was once married to Bridget Bardot).Sachel Diestel also wrote “Its the Good Life” which Tony Bennett recorded, and still performs. Bennett is appearing tomorrow night at “Freedom Hill” which is about a quarter of mile from my back yard. Have a good trip. If you want I’ll tell you what the French really say when wishing you well on a trip.
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Yes you can. I hope you are still there savouring both France and Italy. Beautiful, beautiful shots!