Today was an excellent awakening given that, as always, I had breakfast at the hotel; it was an excellent breakfast with a bit of everything including fresh fruit. After breakfast the hotel manager had given me the key to go and get the bicycle from the garage. it was a very beautiful green patch of courtyard. Returning to the hotel, I loaded the bags onto the bicycle, greeting and hugging the owner's friendly mother, Santina, who wished me good luck. The Portaccia hotel also acts as a restaurant and is located near the medieval gate. This historic and very beautiful place was commenced in the 1940's by the Ficai family, and is now in its third generation. I highly recommend the La Portaccia hotel and thank you Santina for your welcome!

The first stretch - Sunny day and I left for Grosseto and the surprising Diaccia Botrona Nature Reserve. Is is a protected area that extends for more than 1000 hectares between Castiglione della Pescaia and Grosseto in Maremma. Inside there would have been a lot to discover, so the sign said, saying that it was a marshy area and a reserve inhabited by plants and animals. I haven't seen the details of that oasis but the surprising and fantastic Castiglione cycle path winds through the pine forest, under large pine trees and surrounded by so much tranquility arriving via Marina di Grosseto.

The second stretch - I then followed BI-18: Ciclovia Fano Grosseto, a route in the hinterland passing the gates of the city of Grosseto and then continuing to pedal south on the Aurelia provincial roads skirting the Maremma Natural Park which was on the right side going towards the coast then passing through the resort town by the sea of Fonteblanda with its beautiful the long stretches of golden sand beaches. Next was the village of Albinia from where you could see the splendid Argentario promontory located on the coast of Grosseto, surrounded by the sea and the Orbetello Lagoon and connected to the mainland via the town of Ortobello. After passing Ortobello I continued pedaling with a magnificent coastal view. Then there were views of the countryside, some dirt roads and I decided to look at google map if one of those very interesting roads surrounded by agricultural lands and such tranquility would take me to my destination and among unknown roads I also encountered a bridge that was built but not finished until reaching the town of Civitavecchia in the Lazio region.

The third stretch - After passing Ortobello I continued pedaling with always a magnificent coastal view until I arrived at the town of Civitavecchia in the Lazio region.

DESCRIPTION OF THE LAZIO REGION

The Lazio region lies in the centre of Italy and extends between the Apennines and the Tyrrhenian Sea, the capital being Rome.

Civitavecchia, "ancient name" is a port city northwest of Rome and is located at the foot of the hilly area of the Tolfa Mountains.

The third stretch - When I arrived in the city of Citvitavecchia I hadn't seen any campsites nearby, plus in the low season it becomes increasingly difficult to find one open. I had cycled here and there in the surrounding area and I had asked a local person if he would recommend a B&B and after his various calls he called his friend Massimo who kindly called the manager of the B&B and he with his moped and I with the I followed him on my bicycle, taking me to where the accommodation was and he had recommended a good, informal restaurant, nothing sophisticated but the food was good. He had left me his number in case I had any problems and wanted to offer me breakfast at the bar the next day.

The last leg - The accommodation was located in the old centre located in the middle of the town in a very beautiful old building with no lift and I had to carry the bicycle up three floors to the room. Woah an incredibly beautiful and organized place with lots of rooms and a kitchenette with everything and even coffee, milk and snacks. It was immense and empty, I was just the only tourist on the other side, it was low season. From the window in front you could see the ships.

After taking a shower and getting organized I went out and I strolled through the cobblestone streets in this city, squares, medieval fountain, it's a very nice place! Then, I had a lovely dinner in the recommended restaurant and back to my accommodation, having finished my evening routine I fell asleep knowing that tomorrow I would meet Massimiliano again for breakfast.

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