Spot 9: Drive from Saint-Tropez till Sanremo

This is the hardest part of our journey to describe so far, especially without falling on a common place. In the past couple of times I had of course felt the its strong impact, but I could never help leaving with the feeling the Côte D’Azur was overrated. Till today.

Not defeated by the heavy traffic from Saint-Tropez till Saint Maxime, we kept faithful to our purpose of driving till Sanremo always following the cost line. I can only say it was the most amazing drive I have ever made. Having first the sunset and later on the night fall as our background, we were given the chance to delight ourselves with the magnificent symbiosis between the sea and the amazing cost line, the imponent presence of Cannes, Nice and Monte Carlo, the inimitability of its many small villages bathed by the Mediterranean, with the unique glamour of the French Riviera adding the final touch of almost perfectionism. With the top off, a Cohiba Robusto in my hand and Diana Krall and Jack Johnson playing in the radio, we could hardly imagine a most perfect scenario to go through one of the most famous drives in the world, that indeed leaves up to its high, high expectations.
With the border crossing comes a shock that can only underline the magnificence of the French Riviera. Unfortunately, no signs would be needed to inform us that we had just entered a new country, as the differences on the Italian side are simply notorious. The one can clearly understand why glamour is a French word.