Italian Autostrada di Fiori

On the eve of our departure from Menton, France was bracing to face one of the largest strikes (greves) in recent history. President Macron has proposed to consolidate the pension system and the majority of the population isn’t in support. So on December 5th, the transportation networks (trains, Paris metro) will be on strike as well as air traffic controllers, policemen, ambulance drivers and several other unions.

We had already scrapped possible plans to take the train to Paris on our way to Strasbourg when we heard of the planned strike. Dave went to exhibit at a trade show in London and was returning on the evening of December 4th. We rented a car for him to pick up on his return and for us to use to drive to Strasbourg.

Then Christine’s research revealed the strike was actually starting at 10pm on December 4th and Dave’s plane was to land at 11pm. She had her fingers crossed that his flight would not be cancelled and that the Nice airport wasn’t on strike like in Paris. It turned out his flight did leave as planned but had to reroute over Germany because French airspace was closed. He arrived 45 minutes late but Christine was able to alert the rental car company and they waited for him after their closing time so he could pick up the car. Phew! School was cancelled in Menton on Thursday due to the strikes and a number of trains and buses aren’t working. There are gas shortages as people fill up their tanks in anticipation of distribution blockages as other strikers block the roadways. Sounded like a great time to take the route through Italy and Switzerland to us!

So, we struck out on the autostrada - Italy's highway. It’s impressionable how many greenhouses there are tucked along the hillsides, interspersed with stone houses. We cross valley after valley full of little towns with red-roofed buildings and rivers running down to the Mediterranean Sea. Hilltop churches rise above and small communities dot the hillsides up the valley. We zip along on the autostrada entering tunnel after tunnel and passing high above the scene around us. Our route cuts through the steep mountains that border the sea, bypassing the cities and communities around us. Far in the distance, you can see the stark-white snow-capped peaks of the Italian Alps glistening in the sun. Every 20km on the autostrada you find a "cartiere" - a plaza with gas, food and cappuccinos available. They’re right on the autostrada so you can exit and park without getting off the toll road. Dave was surprised to find they even offer a glass of wine to go along with your meal (he didn’t take them up on it). One downside is exits are far apart and given it's a toll road, you feel like you have to stay on it for the long haul and not exit here and there to visit cute hillsides along the way. All the same it was a delightful drive and lovely scenery.