Any news on a Tuscany 2007 trip?
Hi Ton, it depends very much where I'll be and what we can do with the baby. By that time hopefully I should know whether I'll be working in Munich, China or Chicago (these are the three main possibilities today). In any case I think I'll make it, taking a week off in summer won't be a problem. We have to decide what to do with a 5-months old baby, we could leave him with my parents but if not possible I could take him with me in the 550 and Rachel could "hitch a ride" with a single driver (if there will be any). I was thinking to do it from June 23 to June 30. At that time of the year there are very few tourists and the roads should be better than this year (which was further in July). My general plan, based on this year's feedback, would be as follows: 1) Meet up for a first night in Austria, south of Munich. 2) Drive across the Alps (Patrick's territory - he knows some nice passes) into Italy, and blast all the way to S. Gimignano, driving the famous Futa/Raticosa passes between Bologna and Tuscany. 3) Stay in S. Gimignano for 4 or 5 nights, do what we like, drive where we like, chill out by the pool 4) I have found an amazing medieval castle converted into a wellness center / hotel in the hills south of Montalcino, far and isolated from everything. We could spend two or three nights there before coming back. It's an amazing but probably expensive place. If you like the idea I could check it out. 5) Coming back either stopping again in the Alps or in Switzerland. Andrea
OK guys, the reservations are open. I need to start getting names. Last year I had to book S. Gimignano by January, otherwise it would have been impossible. I know Mark is in ... anyone else?
Hi Andrea, you can write the name 'cinquevalvole' in your book. "... same procedure ..." Guess some of us can get along with some variety - as long as a pool is included. (conditia sine qua non) BTW: among China, Chicago and Munich, I would strongly recommend Munich to run a 550 under secure conditions. cinque
sir, I think you can add a hedge in there too! btw the video from 06 is now done and it is a 2 hour epic! I have set it uploading to Mike's server over night and can post a link hopefully tomorrow.
That is really good! hope to be able to see it soon. For next year, as usual I do not know where I will be by then. I hope to be more precise in a couple of months. Ciao Eugenio
Quite bizarre Mark and I were only talking about this last week As with most, it is a little to earlier to commit yet - will decide early in New Year. Andrea please send to Rachel Linda and my best regards - hope everything is going well for the Christmas baby. Can't quite decide which of those places you could be going to work would add the bast characteristics to your Italian/anglo child Eugenio say hi to Maura and the boys - are you still in India ? Ton how are pics coming along ?
Sounds like the best of both worlds Eugenio - is it - or is India as you feared ? Would be fantastic to see you guys again - we will have to see what we can do about visiting those Dolomites early next year - just for the apres ski I hasten to add
PLEASE ignore appalling spelling above, my excuse is old glasses as I have broken my latest pair and the optician is taking forever to repair them :- As with most, it is a little too early to commit yet - will decide early in New Year. Andrea please send Rachel, Linda and my best regards - hope everything is going well for the Christmas baby. Can't quite decide which of those places you could be going to work would add the best characteristics to your Italian/Anglo child
OK if the dates are going to move could it be slightly after end of May? I have an invitation to the Monaco GP by Private Jet on 27th May and if that doesn't happen I have to go to a Family Wedding
Hi everyone I think I can hold off our friends in S. Gimignano until January, but by the end of that month I'll have to make some kind of preliminary booking. Thanks Kevan, the baby is growing & he should be ready for a Ferrari ride by the end of January '07! Rachel is really enjoying the pregnancy and has had no adverse symptoms whatsoever. Ton, is end of June a real problem? May is generally not a good month: I've been in Tuscany so many times now that I can tell you the following: First half of May - too cold for the pool, often rains Second half of May - could be borderline warm, but still 50% risk of heavy rain, temperature probably not comfortable enough to sit by the pool First half of June - gets gradually hotter and hotter, by June 15 it's full summer & very sunny Second half of June - very hot, very sunny, very little chance of rain, and FEW TOURISTS on the road .
Andrea Looking at the plan I was thinking Katy & I might tag on a few days at the front probably in the French Alps or Italian Lakes and join you either at the head of the Futa pass or in S. Gimignano, then on the return we will probably stay at Lake Orta for a week so may peel off on the return journey I'd also be interested in your thoughts of just spending the Week at the Agriturismo and using it as a base to travel out and visit more of the region, drive some good roads, or stay by the pool to suit the individuals, might be easier for Rachael and yourself too if you are bringing the young one rather than living out of suticases!, it is after all a fantastic setting with great food, great pool etc Cheers
Andrea, I am in. I will meet you during the trip to San Gimignano. On this note I fully agree with Mark on the Agriturismo. In my humble opinion it could be better not to move and the food was really great. On top of that, after having had days of great food and wine I think I will be fit enough!! Ciao Eugenio
Me too! It would be perfect to stay in the agriturismo Fattoria Poggio Alloro for a week. It is a perfect place for relaxation, good food and great drive-outs. We could all meet there. Ton
Yeah, you told me before! But Tuscany has better food and a nicer surrounding! Good to have you in too.
