There’s something magical about stepping off a plane in a new country—especially when that country is Italy. After months of planning, we finally touched down in Milan, bleary-eyed but filled with excitement. Since our flight arrived late, we decided to spend the night at a nearby Sheraton, catching a few hours of rest before the real adventure began.
Early Morning Drive to Cannobio
By 7 a.m., we were up, checked out, and standing in line to pick up our rental car from Sixt. We chose a BMW for our rental for the familiarity of the cars we have at home. Applecar play was amazing in this new place. We’d done our homework—watched plenty of YouTube videos about driving in Italy—but there was still that nervous feeling in our stomachs as we pulled onto the highway for the first time.
To our surprise, the roads were peaceful that early in the morning. The air was crisp, the sky pale with the first light of day, and the streets were nearly empty except for a few bicyclists gliding past. Besides sharing the tiny roads with the cyclist, It felt like we had the whole country to ourselves.
The Unexpected McDonald’s Moment
The plan was to find a local café for our first Italian cappuccino. The reality? Every shop was still closed. It was SUNDAY morning. After a bit of wandering, we spotted something familiar—a McDonald’s, just opening its doors for breakfast. Normally, that wouldn’t sound like a highlight, but in Italy, even McDonald’s felt different. We ordered cappuccinos and pastries, sat inside, and watched the locals stream in before their day. It was our first taste of daily Italian life, and somehow, it felt just right.
Discovering Cannobio and Lake Maggiore
As the sun climbed higher, we continued north to Cannobio, a picturesque town on the shores of Lake Maggiore. The drive was stunning—mountains in the distance, winding roads lined with stone walls and lush greenery, glimpses of the lake sparkling through the trees.
We spent five unforgettable days in Cannobio, reconnecting with family, wandering through cobblestone streets, tasting incredible pastries, and soaking in views that looked like they belonged on a postcard. Every morning started with cappuccinos and every evening ended with amazing conversations by the water.
By the end of the trip, we weren’t ready to leave.
RV Life in Italy: A Pleasant Surprise
One thing that completely surprised us was just how many RVers we saw in Italy. Cannobio has an amazing RV park right by the lake—complete with family facilities, water playgrounds, and views you couldn’t dream up if you tried. We saw everything from tiny campervans to full-size rigs being towed by everyday cars.
It made us pause and wonder: what would it be like to RV through Italy? To wake up to those lakeside views, drive from village to village, and experience the country on the open road?
We left Italy inspired—not only by its food, family, and beauty—but by a whole new idea of freedom that might one day bring us back, this time with our own (rental) rig.
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