14-Day Campervan Adventure: Exploring Italy’s Heart and Coastlines

Introduction

From April 27th to May 11th, three of us embarked on a thrilling 14-day campervan journey through Italy, starting from Šmarje pri Jelšah, Slovenia. Our trip was filled with scenic drives, historic cities, stunning coastlines, and unforgettable experiences. Below is a day-by-day breakdown of our adventure.

Itinerary

Day 1: April 27 – Journey to Tuscany

• Departure from Šmarje pri Jelšah, Slovenia.
• Arrival in Tuscany.
• Overnight stay in the woods near Pienza.

Day 2: April 28 – Montepulciano & San Quirico d’Orcia

• Visit Montepulciano and San Quirico d’Orcia.
• Scenic drive with breathtaking views.
• End the day in Grosseto.

Day 3: April 29 – Relaxing in Grosseto

• Stay at Area Sosta La Pampa in Grosseto.
• Beach day at Marina di Grosseto.
• Relaxation and local exploration.

Day 4: April 30 – Exploring Rome

• Drive to Rome.
• Visit historical sites: Colosseum, Trevi Fountain.
• Explore Vatican City.

Day 5: May 1 – Naples Adventure

• Head to Naples.
• Walk through the city and enjoy local pizza.
• Discover the vibrant streets and culture.

Day 6: May 2 – Rainy Day in Sorrento

• Plan to visit Vesuvius, but diverted to Sorrento due to weather.
• Remote work and evening karaoke in the city center.

Day 7: May 3 – Amalfi Coast Drive

• Drive from Sorrento to Positano and Amalfi.
• Challenging yet rewarding drive along the Amalfi Coast.
• Stay in San Lazzaro, above Amalfi Coast.

Day 8: May 4 – Hiking & Positano Visit

• Hike the Path of the Gods from San Lazzaro to Nocelle.
• Visit Positano.
• Enjoy live music at Madame Bar in San Lazzaro.

Day 9: May 5 – Exploring Matera

• Travel to Matera.
• Explore the ancient city and filming locations of James Bond.
• Camp in nearby quarries.

Day 10: May 6 – East Coast Journey

• Visit Alberobello and Ostuni.
• Overnight at Masseria Appia Traiana, an organic farm.

Day 11: May 7 – Lecce and Torre Sant’Andrea

• Visit Lecce.
• Travel to Torre Sant’Andrea, the southernmost point of our trip.
• Camp nearby.

Day 12: May 8 – Polignano a Mare and Bari

• Visit Polignano a Mare.
• Arrive in Bari.
• Celebrate a travel buddy’s birthday amidst the Feast of Saint Nicholas.

Day 13: May 9 – Enjoying Bari

• Continue exploring Bari.
• Feast of Saint Nicholas celebrations.
• Seafood feast at Le Nicchie restaurant.

Day 14: May 10 – Return Journey

• Start return trip to Slovenia.
• Planned stop in Venice but decide to drive straight home.
• Arrive in Slovenia after an 11-hour drive.

Cities Visited

• Pienza
• Montepulciano
• San Quirico d’Orcia
• Grosseto
• Rome
• Naples
• Sorrento
• Positano
• Amalfi
• San Lazzaro
• Matera
• Alberobello
• Ostuni
• Lecce
• Torre Sant’Andrea
• Polignano a Mare
• Bari

Trip Summary

• Total Distance: ~3150 km
• Total Cost: ~€2600 (for all three)
• Accommodation: Mostly camping areas, first night in the woods
• Memorable Highlights: Scenic drives, historic sites, beach days, local food, and festivals.

This journey through Italy in our campervan was quite nice adcenture. From the picturesque hills of Tuscany to the historic streets of Rome and the stunning Amalfi Coast, every day brought new sights and experiences. We apologize for having so few photographs posted in the gallery below. 😀  We were a bit lazy and mostly used our mobiles, trying to enjoy the journey without cameras in our backpacks. However, we promise to focus more on photography during our next adventure!