Let's start with the idea that every road hides its own story, every village sings a song and every sunset heralds a new morning. Thus began our seven-day road trip through Italy with a campervan, which was not just a crossing of borders, but a journey through time, cultures and unspoilt nature. It seemed like the perfect seven days to explore magical Tuscany.
Our family is looking for adventures in the summer with overland vehicles for off-road driving where our goal is to discover remote and hidden Greek beaches. However, in winter and early spring months traveling with a campervan represents a much more comfortable and, of course, warm way of exploring the world, which fascinates us more and more.
This time we had the opportunity to test it Robeta Helios, a great campervan for families and also for winter wanderings. You can learn more about the campervan read at this link, and at the end of this entry there is also information for renting a vehicle, if our route will inspire you. And we set off for Tuscany, which never disappoints at any time of the year.
Day 1: Ljubljana - Pisa
Our first day was spent driving from Ljubljana to the Italian city Pissa (, AFI: /ˈpisa/ o /ˈpiza/), where we couldn't miss the classic photo with the "holding" of the leaning tower. A city Pissa it is more than just its architectural landmarks; it is a city with a charm that quickly enchants you.
We recommend that you go from Cathedral Square with the tower to explore the city, which is really interesting, especially along the river. The walk is not long, and the town of pissa is a quiet place in the winter months, although there are not a few tourists.
A visit to the tower, which costs 20 euros per person, is a special experience, because the tower really leans - something you only realize when you're inside it.
We parked at a nicely arranged RV stop (15 euros/24h), which was already relatively full in the second half of February, which surprised us. Therefore, plan your arrival in other months already in the morning hours. (parking lot address: PZA Pissa – Via di Pratale, Pisa)
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BOOK ACCOMMODATION: PisaDay 2: Pissa – Levanto
The next morning we headed to the small town of Levanto, the entry point to the magical world Cinque Terre. Before that, we spent the morning in a nice place Marina Di Pisa, which is about 17 kilometers from the city of Pisa itself. It is a typical Italian seaside town with a long pebble beach. Since it was Sunday and a beautiful sunny day, there were many visitors, and the city was full of various fairs and stalls. At almost 20 °C, we sunbathe until the afternoon, parked right next to the beach and prepared lunch.
In the city Levanto we chose an autocamp (Camping Acqua Dolce), where we spent two nights, mainly because a tour of five places in the region Cinque Terre it really requires a full day and we didn't want unnecessary moves around sightseeing. The price of camping for three people and a campervan was 50 euros. We have to praise the camp, because it is really well-organized and friendly.
Levanto is an interesting and again typically Italian place. It is quite empty in winter, but comes alive in summer. Nevertheless, we found some typical restaurants or bars where we could enjoy a good aperol.
Day 3: Cinque Terre
Colorful houses, climbing the steep cliffs, and the waves gently caressing the shore, are scenes you will not forget. The third day was spent exploring each of the five villages that make it up Cinque Terre, with each succeeding surpassing the beauty of the previous. From the camp where we were staying, a five-minute walk took us to the train station, where in winter there is a train connecting all five places approximately every hour. The price of the train ticket was 14.80 euros per person for the whole day, including some other transport options such as the bus. We recommend that you take the train all the way from the place Riomaggiore, i.e. the first village, and then you continue your journey north. Our plan was to walk between at least two villages along the panoramic path by the sea, but the path was closed at this time of year. We recommend visiting all the places, but if you are pressed for time, the least impressive is Corniglia, which lies high above the sea. There is a free bus that takes you there, but the place is really deserted and empty in winter, and most of the bars are closed. In any case, visits to Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare are essential. All of them are truly picturesque and each with its own charm.
@janmacarol From dawn to dusk, we journey through the vibrant villages of the Cinque Terre region, embracing the coast of Italy. We discover hidden gems, from pastel houses clinging to the steep coast to crystal-clear waters inviting refreshment. Every step reveals a new story, each view is like a postcard. #cinqueterre #italy #travel
Day 4: Head south to San Gimignano
On the fourth day, we first visited the white beach Spiagga Biancha, which bathes in the sun and is known as the surfer's and wave surfer town - a spot that turns into an empty and remote place in winter, where you can park your campervan relatively close to the coast and prepare a picnic, walk along the beach, get your feet wet and feel the salt in the air - all signs that summer will soon be here.
@janmacarol So, what are you waiting for? Life's waiting for you, and trust me, it's too short to spend it all in one place. Buy that van, hit the road, and let the adventures begin. Because, honestly, if not now, when? #vanlife #travel #uscany 1TP10 Trumpet #robetahelios #italy #spagiabianca #van #vanlifestyle
After the picnic, we continued our journey to San Gimignano, a town that boasts the name "Medieval Manhattan" because of its imposing towers. Surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, San Gimignano offers stories waiting to be discovered. When visiting Tuscany, it would be a real sin not to put it at the top of your "must see" list. We reached the city in the dark, so we chose a great camper stop about two kilometers from the city center (Area di Sosta camper, St. Lucia), where daily parking is 11 euros. In front of the campsite, there is a point for gray water discharge and a "mandatory" tap for fresh water. The night was extremely pleasant, and the road next to the camp was not busy at all. We have to admit that we are really impressed by the campsites, because they are good, neat and clean.
@janmacarol short one minute video of the vibe of San Gimignano – a must-see in Tuscany! 🇮🇹🏰 Stunning views, ancient towers, and oh—the gelato is out of this world! #uscany #italy #sangimignano
Day 5: To the most fascinating spa in the world - Saturnia
When the sun rose over Tuscany, we took the city bus, which has a stop in the camp itself, to see the town of San Gimignano. There we bought this city pass - 13 EUR, which allows you to visit the highest tower and city museums, as well as certain closed attractions. Despite the amount, we thought that visiting the tower, which offers a view of the entire city and is an unforgettable, fascinating experience that still gets some adrenaline pumping, as you even have to crawl up the tower in certain parts, was worth it.
After visiting the tower, be sure to treat yourself to a cold cut in one of the typical Italian bistros, where you will be served excellent wine and even better meat and cheese products. We liked San Gimignano so much that we spent almost 100 EUR on local delicacies in one of the shops. Of course, we have not forgotten the most famous and best ice cream in the world, which you can buy in the central square of this small town.
In the afternoon, we left San Gimignano behind and headed towards Saturnia, a town known for its thermal springs, where time seems to have stood still. Swimming in the natural pools surrounded by the Tuscan hills was like diving into another world.
It should be noted that the route from San Gimignano to Saturnia is not the easiest, as you are faced with very bad roads. On the way, there are extremely magical places that invite you to stop for a moment and have an espresso.
Upon arrival in Saturnia, we chose a large camperstop (Area sosta Camper Saturnia), which is about a 15-minute slow walk away from the famous "mill", where the world-famous attraction of the limestone terraces - Cascate del Mulino. Natural waterfalls that create a series of pools where the water pours over rocky terraces are a scene that seems taken from another world, where you can bathe for free and enjoy the magic of the moment.
Legend has it that the thermal waters of Saturnia were created by Jupiter's thunderbolts when he was in combat with Saturn. Regardless of the origin, one thing is certain: these warm, sulphurous waters have healing properties that were already known to the Etruscans and Romans. Today, these waters are accessible to all who seek solace for body and soul.
@janmacarol When Jupiter and Saturn start throwing lightning at each other, we end up with a dream spa day! 😄 At Terme di Saturnia, where the water hovers around a perfect 37.5 °C, I've discovered that missing the mark can sometimes be a bullseye. 🎯 #termesaturnia #saturnia #italy #uscany
The water in Saturnia is not only warm; she is alive. With a constant temperature of around 37°C, it is ideal for relaxing baths that help with a wide range of problems, from arthritis to skin conditions. But the healing effects of the water are not the only reason why people visit this place en masse. It is a feeling of peace that you can only find here, surrounded by nature, where time seems to truly stand still.
In February, there were really no crowds and extremely few bathers, which is a rarity, as it is extremely crowded here during the tourist months. We didn't go swimming when we arrived in the evening, but we did it right away the next morning. Having said that, I should add that Saturnia is not cold even because of the water temperature, despite the lower morning temperatures we were not cold. There are also showers nearby, where you can take a shower outdoors after a thermal bath.
This was followed by a transition from Tuscany to San Marino, a miniature republic that amazes you with its grandeur and history, before we stopped at the end of the day in Rimini and Cesenatico, cities that combine history with vibrant seaside life. And, of course, they offer quite a few excellent camper parking lots.
Day 7: Cesenatico – Ljubljana
The last day, returning home, was bittersweet. Every kilometer traveled left an impression on our hearts, every photo captured a piece of our soul, and every memory became part of our story.
In 7 days we drove approx 2000 kilometers and survivors on the road almost 30 hours. But we didn't feel the burden of driving because it was a part of the day where we had fun in one way or another with Italian songs and family conversations in the car, which are always fun. Time passed quickly. Of course, everything was made easier thanks to the excellent Robeta Helios motorhome, which impressed us with all its comfort and warmth. We have to say we are amazed at how warm these quality vans are and how much comfort they provide for the family. This is also why we highly recommend renting a van from Rwanda Center – that is, at Robes - to the manufacturer and rental provider, which also has the best motorhome in the fleet in 2024 - Robeta Adomis.
This 7-day tour of Tuscans with the motorhome, it was not just a journey on the map, but a journey through life, where every day brought a new experience, every turn revealed a new adventure, and every sunset promised that tomorrow would be even more beautiful. As if we were reading a book written by the world itself, we flipped page by page through this wonderful chapter of our lives, knowing that these pages will forever remain among the most precious in our collection of memories.
