On the Road Again - Italy, Here We Come!

Yesterday we just relaxed and took time to read.  Unfortunately I ended up doing quite a bit of catching up on sleep - I was so tired. In the evening we decided to open a bottle of delicious cherry liquor.  It went 'down the hatch' very well, so much so that I ended up getting tipsy.  My head felt heavy but my mind and thinking faculties were very much intact, my legs weren't - seemingly having a mind of their own as if I was a bit dizzy.  I ended up clinging to Paul as we made our way to the washrooms before retiring for the night.  A second journey to the loo during this morning's wee hours had me feeling a bit dizzy still but I was fine.

Despite hoping for some nice warm weather at FKK Müllerhof, the weather forecast was going downhill rapidly with rain forecasted for tomorrow.  We've decided to pack up and head across Italy to the island of Corsica where the weather forecast for the next couple of weeks seems to be a heck of a lot better.  The receptionist at the campsite was fine with us leaving earlier than we intended to, agreeing with our reasons for packing up and leaving.

We couldn't have left too late - as we drove in a south westerly direction to the Italian border we could see the awful weather front moving in.  Just as well we had packed up when we did.  The route was pretty, going up Passo Ramollo and passing the ski resort of Sonnenalpe Nassfeld before entering Italy.  The road was windy on the Italian side and at times there were road repairs going on.  The Italian side of the mountain was quite barren and dry compared to that of the Austrian side, but it still had its own beauty.

Going through the villages, we came across an Italian on a scooter with a bin strapped to his back loaded with what looked like shopping!  Paul also caught sight of a big Italian 'mamma' in a small Piaggio Ape (3 wheeler) going uphill, the poor vehicle just about groaning on its axles, trying to encourage the vehicle to go faster by shifting and jiggling!

We eventually arrived at the Four Points Hotel in Venice Mare just after dark.  Paul saw an empty parking space and reversed in only to discover that there were poles blocking the parking space.  We had seen signs to the hotel's underground parking so decided to chance our arm there, only to drive down and discover that the building works for the underground parking was not complete.  There was no way he could turn around and go back out again so Paul put the car into reverse and drove backwards, up and out, and all the way to the small parking lot where we had originally tried to park.  We found another empty spot and finally parked the car.  What a day!

Our tracked route

PHOTOGRAPHS

At the top of the pass, just over the border into Italy

 

Passes & Onward Travel

Un-named Pass

We decided to head out to FKK Müllerhof naturist campsite but first doing a circular route, driving along the recommended Nockalmstraße (Nockalmstrasse) Pass via an unnamed pass.  The unnamed pass road became a dirt road bit it didn't deter us.  The views were beautiful.

Nockalmstraße Pass

We then headed across to the lovely Nockalmstraße Pass in the Nockberge, stopping to take some photographs.  From there we followed the road back to Bad Kleinkircheim and then on to FKK Müllerhof via Villach.

The campsite was not as full as it was 3 weeks ago or so and it meant that we had a bit more choice for where we could pitch our tent.  As it turned out, our previous pitch was available and it seemed a better option than other available pitches so we set up camp.  It was good to relax once the tent was set up.

Our day's tracked route.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Relaxation Day at Terme Römerbad

Today was our no travel day.  Simply a day to chill out and relax.  It's good to be on the road and seeing where it takes us but we needed a break.  There are 2 spas in Bad Kleinkircheim, one more modern than the other.  We decided to go to the larger, older, spa - the Thermal Roman baths (Terme Römerbad - https://www.badkleinkirchheim.com/en-EN/enjoy-thermal-spa/thermal-roemerbad/alpine-wellness-roemerbad).

Terme Römerbad is lovely place - big with lots of open space, pools, jacuzzis and relaxation areas both indoors and outdoors.  The spa area was a no clothes area and a bit later on we went to the spa side of the complex to make use of the saunas and steam rooms.  There was also a swimming pool and jacuzzi there as well.

Unfortunately the one level of the complex wasn't open to the public  - we discovered it was closed off (we weren't told) but we still had to pay the full price.  They could have done something more with the restaurant but I guess the basic service would become more of a full service when busy.

We booked a massage with 2 therapists that would be done at the same time but in separate therapy rooms.  Later on a call went out over the P.A. system and Paul went to reception to find out why he was called.  It turned out that one of the therapists had called in sick so we had to make do with one masseur to do both of us.  It didn't matter.  While Paul had his neck, back and foot massage, I nodded off for a bit on one of the relaxing loungers looking out of the windows onto the lawn below.  Paul came back after an hour and I had my massage after-which it was time to head back to the B&B.

View from our B & B window

We are very tired - the result of the relaxing massage.  I guess we will sleep very well tonight!

Photographs of Terme Römerbad are off the internet to give you an idea of what the place looks like.  We didn't want to take our own photographs out of respect for other guests.