Split Croatia to Tuscany Italy

This is the start of our second segment of our trip. We boarded the Blue Line Ferry after saying goodbye to our sailing crew at ACI Marina. 

We got a departing wave from the crew as the ferry left port. 

We had booked a VIP suite which featured two Russian Hospital beds. 

We had a not bad meal, a bottle of wine and a reasonably good sleep although I think they have a balance problem on one of the engines. At least I didn't have to keep feeding the bed quarters. 

We woke at dawn and had breakfast as the Italian coast came into view.

A quick pass through customs and we were out on the street waiting for a taxi. After about 15 minutes we were picked up and transported to the Hertz Car Rental (max "in city" speed I saw was just shy of 100 kph).

Here we got introduced to our shiny new Fiat Panda!

One of the few cars where you can use all of the power, most of the time! Two cylinders and 60 blistering horsepower coupled to a five speed gearbox that you have to row like an Olympic paddler to get up and down the hills and around the corners.

The first part of the journey to our villa was on the Autostrada which was very busy because it was Saturday of a summer weekend. Lots of road construction and slow moving caravans.

After passing through Bologna, we headed south to Tuscany on an Autostrada that had to be 30% tunnels or bridges!

After exiting the Autostrada, the fun began. Should have bought that European card for my GPS. About 25 three point turns later, we arrive at Villa Il Pozzo. 

Things are not looking good when the non English speaking staff are surprised we are there. After they make a couple of calls, we finally discover a somewhat limited ability to communicate in French and are told to come back in thirty minutes. Things are not looking good and I have not seen a Marriott anywhere.

We decide to go into Certaldo and get some Euros which we need to pay for the apartment (if in fact we do have a reservation) and some food, wine and beer from the grocery store. Next problem, my bank card is not accepted at the first two banks I try. We see a supermarket that has a bank machine and it works! Only problem was that it required four withdrawals to get enough cash for the rent but at least it worked. We got some snacks, breakfast food, wine and beer then tried to leave town. We discovered that all roads lead to Certaldo and none leave!

We finally found our way Back to the villa and met Alessandro, the owner. Everything was fine and we moved into our beautiful one bedroom apartment with a private terrace and access to the pool.

We opened a bottle of Chianti and enjoyed the setting sun.

At around 2000h we made our way to a little restaurant just up the hill. We were one of the first to arrive (guess this is the blue hair special time to eat here). 

Had a great light supper and got home at 2200 pretty well exhausted.