The very drive through the picturesque landscape of the Alps, the Apennines, Tuscany and the Italian Riviera is a pleasure – snow-capped mountain peaks over lush alpine pastures, countless tunnels and winding roads in the mountains, small villages stretching through narrow valleys and nestling against mountain cliffs, vineyards and finally olive groves, oleander, citrus fruits and cypresses.  Of very special charm is Lake Garda – a subtropical enclave embedded in the foothills of the Alps, with lovely holiday spots and a fantastic panorama round the lake.

Coming from Leipzig the first stage of our trip was the enchanting Bavarian city Mittenwald  at the foot of the North Tyrol Alps.  Also J.W.Goethe stopped at this city on his “Italian Journey” and, because of its elaborately painted houses and picturesque scenery, named it, very aptly later, “a living picture book”  The highlight of this stay was a ride in the Karwendel cable car at the height of 2244m ,(2448 yds) into the snow covered mountains where, as the visibility was good, we had a fantastic outlook over the city and hilly surroundings.

Next morning we began our journey through the Brenner Pass to Verona, the city where Romeo and Juliet lived and which Shakespeare with his drama of the same name made immortal.

The Italians are vivacious and quick tempered, but friendly and ready to help.  We got on well with them and enjoyed the famous Italian cooking and the good wine very much.  The only thing that bothered us, was the high price of petrol, which was about the same as in Germany.