All Italy Photos

Italy is a destination that easily draws you back time and time again. From the serene canals of Venice to the winding alpine roads of the north, the country offers an irresistible mix of relaxed culture, simple yet world-class food, and extraordinary visual variety around every bend.

While returning to favorite spots—like Venice—has its own charm, road-tripping through Italy's regions uncovers the unexpected moments that often become the standout memories of a journey.

Our very first Italian holiday was a self-drive tour starting across the French border in Nice and cutting across Northern Italy.

In the days before Google Maps and smartphone navigation, driving abroad carried a genuine sense of jeopardy—getting lost wasn't an inconvenience, it was an adventure. Missing a turn or misjudging driving distances often meant adapting on the fly:

• Discovering Cuneo: When a leg of the drive proved too long for a single day, an impromptu stop led to spending the night in Cuneo—sipping cold Peronis in a quiet hotel lobby while watching Braveheart alongside the receptionist.

• Shared Passion for Motorsport: Italian hospitality shines brightest during grand prix weekends. Watching Mika Häkkinen crash out of the Italian Grand Prix alongside a disappointed hotel host proved that language barriers disappear when Formula 1 is on the television.

Travel & Driving Tips for Northern Italy

• Check Cross-Border Rental Policies: If planning a multi-country route (such as picking up a hire car in France and driving into Italy), always verify cross-border permissions with your rental provider. Driving across national borders without paying the required cross-border fee can invalidate basic insurance coverages!

• Embrace Secondary Routes: While the autostrade (toll highways) offer speed, taking regional roads (strade statali) brings you through historic town squares, local trattorias, and scenic vistas that main expressways bypass entirely.