Interrail, main target: ROMA!

My number one advice about a months trip in Europe is of course to go by train. The other is to plan for a maximum of two main destinations with plenty of headroom for spontaneous ideas.

You have to see it once...

In line with this, Bretagne was my first goal, Toscana was decided in the spur of the moment and Roma was the last vital stop, leaving the rest up to chance. It's been an incredible 17 years since my last visit to the Italian capital, but the city is still standing pretty much as I left it.

Return at nightfall, before the sky gets black ...

Three local Couch Surfers hosted me on their sofas, my sleeping bag making my visit less troublesome for them. All being kind and very helpful, not only offering shelter but also openhearted conversations.

a 360 degrees sphere flattened out, from inside Saint Peter.

Roma is perfect for walking. You have more sights than you can dream of within the reach of your sandals. Anywhere in between, try out a gelateria in search of the perfect icecream. You will most probably succeed every single time!

It is good, so good. Good. Goodgoodgood!

My top travel tips for Roma are: get your butt out of bed early and find a favourite piazza! You need to be first in line, not to be trampled down. Saint Peters one day (opens at 07.00), Colosseum another (look back one hour later and you will be grateful for the advice).

Have a walk in Trastevere, still a charming collection of alleys in a former worker's district.

Find a pizzeria like "Forno" in Campo dei Fiori, sit on the edge of a fountain, watch people taking selfiestickselfies ... and just feel the atmosphere. You are in ROMA!

Interrail in Toscana - by car!

Continuing from Paris, I visited dear friends in Chambery, Lyon and Toulon. It seems all French cities have an old quarter with "mantainance-free" facades, colourful shutters and pebblestones.

Old Toulon. Good atmosphere. And some girls in pink,  in a matching doorway.

Having limited time with my friends after their work hours, the conversations were intense, and each minute valueable. Sharing a physical old fashioned hug, not merely virtual, digital ones, makes a great difference to a friendship. I am priviledged to know people that I love on a permanent basis.

One of these is a crazy Italian who met me in Livorno and took me around Toscana for a couple of days.

A roadside camp, found late at night. 

We followed the winding streets in the countryside, stumbling upon spectacular towns, fortresses, towers and ruins - and enjoying the rolling hills striped with cypresses skirting roads leading to grand villas.

Siena, of course, but picturesque towns are found on every other hilltop:

It is so amazingly green, everywhere. The lush colours, big old treet, olives, dates, flowers and cactuses...  I just love cactuses.

We topped it up visiting a couple of thermal springs, like Terme Di San Filippo below. The Icelanders must teach them about thermal power - it's a lot of it in this region.

Next stop Roma. See you there!