FChat/FFOS/MM May Tour 2005

Hi Wolfgang,

I have been writing down several ideas for our 2005 Tuscany tour. Here is the outline (subject to changes & suggestions from everyone):

1) Spend 2 nights in beautiful S.Margherita on the coast - we'll have time to relax, see Portofino and drive some nice local roads. Plus, don't forget the bars & restaurants...

2) After S. Margherita we could spend a night in S. Gimignano, gorgeous medieval town with many towers. It's a shorter drive than going all the way to Montalcino in a day.

3) We could then go to Montalcino for 1 or 2 nights, and drive all the way to Radicofani (Mille Miglia Route), tiny village in the hills in the south of Tuscany, where I guarantee there are the BEST roads in Italy. It's not a tourist area, it's very wild with beautiful hills and no traffic (and a few very, very good & very cheap restaurants). We could spend a night in a local Agriturismo if you wish.

4) On the way back, we could have a stopover in Modena, to cut the long trip back for those coming from far north... This would enable us to drive through the Futa and Raticosa passes between Firenze and Bologna (Mille Miglia Route), instead of the nasty highway.

5) Alternative possibility: from S. Gimignano drive all the way to Castiglione delle Pescaie, medieval town on the sea very far south into Tuscany. Beautiful place & good food, but I must find a suitable hotel. Also, it would be very far to drive back from, we'd definitely need a stopover before Modena!

So, here are my ideas. As usual the trip would be flexible - I'd like to organize it over 5 (or 6) nights, but those who have to return earlier can still join us for a shorter time.

Andrea

 

Andrea,

That sounds like a beautiful trip. I know that area (as a tourist) a little bit and I fell in love with it when I first saw it. I think that a Porsche would definitely ruin the overal Italian feeling. So, I will join you on this trip if I have my new Fcar by then.

This will absolutely be a great meeting!

Ton

 

I DO hope so!

 

We could also stop for one or two nights on this location!

www.palagina.it

They are Sting's neighbours and are located in the middle of the Tuscan heaven.

 

Wolfgang,

I know! I will definitely need your help again during my search.

 

Yes, I have been there with the Ferrari. You have to drive the farmers road up the hill slowly because it has a lot of small rocks. But it is absolutely a fantastic place.

 

Hi Wolfgang,

I understand the problem of people having to drive back a long way home. Which is why I thought next year we could head back north one day earlier and spend one night somewhere in the north of Italy or in Switzerland.

VERY IMPORTANT: When the Mille Miglia is on, all the great roads are closed (Futa and Raticosa, plus many roads in Tuscany), plus there are loads of tourists and many of them really bad drivers. I want my trip to be a DRIVERS' trip, so I don't think it would be a great idea to match it to the MM event, not if we want to enjoy our cars on Italy's finest roads.

My tentative plan could be:

Day 1 (Sunday) - Drive from Switzerland to S. Margherita
Day 2 (Monday) - Stay in S. Margherita, drive local nice roads, visit Portofino, etc.
Day 3 (Tuesday) - Either another night in S. Margherita or drive to S. Gimignano and spend the night in Tuscany.
Day 4 (Wednesday) - Drive to Montalcino and the FANTASTIC roads around Radicofani (absolutely recommended for serious drivers), and spend the night in Tuscany (same place as the previous night, possibly).
Day 5 (Thursday) - Drive to Bologna through the fabulous Raticosa and Futa passes (MM route).
Day 6 (Friday) - Drive to Lecco and up the Maloja Pass to St. Moritz
Day 7 (Saturday) - Drive back home!

This program should suit all those coming from Germany, also from the Munich area (Patrick?)

Any comments?

Andrea

 

Wolfgang,

Thank you for this unexpected honour. I will try to have my new Fcar by then.

Ton

 

Just two lines...
I do not know if it will be possible for me to attend the all trip, for sure if you stay a couple of days in Santa Margherita I will join you there. I have a family Summer house nearbyso I can say I know the area. Packed with B roads absolutely FANTASTIC and, sometimes, not widely known.
Keep the thing going and let us see how it develops.
Ciao
Eugenio
PS. A friend of mine has an hotel in Rapallo. If you need support...

 

I don't think that it will be necessary to sit on the right seat. But thanks for the offer.

Ton

 

I'll start calling hotels after the Xmas holidays. I think we can stay at the Minerva & book the whole garage again (they know me very well, I've sent so many people at their place this year...). Rachel and I will stay at our house right near U'Giancu, which has been renovated and is now usable (last year we couldn't stay there - too cold and damp).

I will check out Ton's suggestion, but I also know other places in Tuscany which are really fantastic. I will post brochures & details on Fchat for you guys to send me comments. Bologna & St. Moritz no problems, we can find hotels with parking space (Secure in Bologna, while in St. M. it's no problem ;-)).

Ciao
Andrea

 

Andrea,

I am convinced that you probably know much nicer places in Tuscany. I only mentioned this specific place because I have been there before and the quality was really good. They only do not have covered parking.

Ton

 

Definitely safe!

 

Ciao Andrea

I will be there for sure. i will stay home in Cavi for the period spent in Liguria. Must see how work goes before being able to committ for the all tour. Maura sends kisses to Rachel.
Ciao
Eugenio

 

Hi Andrea,

count on me!
Possibly we will find a way to Raticosa & Futa where the MM corso is acting at it's best.
(I was there for 3 times and have to be there again)
BTW: Which "Santa Margherita" are chatting about?
www.viamichelin.com shows 24 different "Santa Margheritas"
If someone likes to drive over Munich I would figure out a extra-tour beeline.

forza

cinque

 

Date is the most important factor for me. When? MARK