We had plans this morning to head to San Gimignano via Volterra for a day of wholesome family Italian sight seeing. I meant to make Harps take her Kwells car sickness tablets before we left, but then Maggie needed changing and feeding or something, and promptly forgot. Maggie has not been loving the car travelling since we got the car a few days ago – crying and screaming as we travel along which sends Daisy into a spiral because WHY WON’T SHE STOP MUM MAKE HER STOP which makes Harper sing What a Wonderful World full ball at her to MAKE HER STOP MUM. Needless to say, we’ve been pulling over quite a bit.
We got to Volterra just in time – everyone was a little woozy from the drive through windy roads with me still getting my head around the fact that there’s no steering wheel in front of me. We wound our way up the bleak, volcanic hills that surround the area to be surprised by another gorgeous walled medieval town with some gorgeous cobbled streets, piazzas and gateways. We even ran into some fellow Australian travellers – the Mum (hi) has been reading the blog!
I managed to get some car sickness tablets from the Farmacia but told the girls to just eat them which they did and then both promptly began to gag and almost throw up again. After getting in the car, out of the car park and Maggie losing her shit as Rob was taken out by trucks in our little Audi we called it: San Gimignano could wait. We decided to hightail it back home via lunch in a little town not far from where are at Casale Marittimo. We found the cutest little ristorante with a gorgeous wee terrazzo where we sat and ate a simple and delicious lunch (Rob some steak with rocket and pecorino and for me some wild boar tagliatelle and simple pasta for Harps and mixed cold meats for Daise). It was just what we all needed: a good view, a seat, some delicious food and of course gelato to finish with to bribe the walk back up the hill to the car.
My goodness these little towns are pretty – every single one picture perfect cobblestoned delights. Next time we head for a drive at least I won’t forget the Kwells.
Thank you for sharing such wonderful pics and great stories! xxx
Love how you’re keeping it real – travelling is awesome but travelling with kids can also be hard work!
Well done Beth & Family!! Those tricky travel moments always pass, but the amazing places we visit are memories to last a life time 🙂 Photos and experiences to treasure as a family, thanks for sharing them – bellisimo! XO
I’ve been following along since you left home and it’s been so great and brought back so many memories for me. But this post in particular made me laugh (sorry). It reminded me of the trip we did with our young kids a few years ago through France, Portugal and Spain. The windy roads and car sickness and fighting and getting lost. Aahh the joys of travelling with kids. My kids have really great memories of our trip though, so you take the good with the bad. Love your photos.
Do try to get to San g! It has the best gelato in the world. Winning prizes etc!
What a beautiful place, enjoy the rest of your holiday.
So glad to see you having so much fun! My wee girl is horrible for getting car sick. We finally tried one of those hokey bracelets that is supposed to help and to our shock-it really does.
love it all! thanks beth!
hope the mags is ok today!
probably got everyone else’s vibes and can’t talk about it yet!
the overwhelm! … this too will pass!
can’t help myself! always a mother!
love m:)X
I have been following since you left home and am enjoying your family tales and holiday snaps! Precious memories to last a life time…..enjoy immensely xx
Thanks Amanda, hope you’re doing OK. You are so often in my mind (in a non stalkerish weird way I promise!) x
Oh Beth…what a wonderful time you’re having…minus the carsickness! My daughter suffers too, poor love. We’re just back from Queensland and it’s been a ‘3 spew holiday’. 1 on the plane up, 1 in the terminal after getting off the plane and one on the boat whale watching. Joy! At least she didn’t throw up on the return plane trip! Wishing you a spew free rest of holidays!!