Our initial experience in Italy was that of winding roads and views of the blue Mediterranean. The drivers were crazy but I was too exhausted from our trek through the Gorge du Verdon that I didn't care... besides our car was bigger!! We had headed for Sanremo because it was the only Italian name we knew (close to the border) based on the brand of pasta sauce we had bought before. We quickly learned that 40km in Italy takes 2 hours (avoiding tolls) enduring 50km/h on crazy winding roads offset by the amazing scenery.