On Days Like These - Italian Job Intro: NSX Style

[Ewan]

hi Mark - yep, we have some of the stops already planned ... we're planning on the following destination on each day:

1: Reims
2: Lausanne
3: Montreux
4: Lake Maggiore
5: Lake Como
6: Parma
7: Bologna
8: Bologna
9: Merano
10: Davos
11: Davos
12: Fussen
13: Nurburg
14: Home

Total of (I think) about 2,300 miles.

If anyone cares to suggest alternatives/must-do things, I'm all ears

cheers
Ewan

[markc]

hi Mark - yep, we have some of the stops already planned ... we're planning on the following destination on each day:

1: Reims
2: Lausanne
3: Montreux
4: Lake Maggiore
5: Lake Como
6: Parma
7: Bologna
8: Bologna
9: Merano
10: Davos
11: Davos
12: Fussen
13: Nurburg
14: Home

Total of (I think) about 2,300 miles.

If anyone cares to suggest alternatives/must-do things, I'm all ears

cheers
Ewan

Fussen... famous for "The Great Escape" film? Fussen to the Nurburgring is a HUGE leg!

Surely got to do a Champagne House tour in Reims. I recommend Pommery as one of the best and most impressive.

Are you into watches? You'll be going through "Watch valley" on days 2/3 so it might be worth trying to book a tour of one of the manufacturers in the area, Blancpain or Audemars Piguet at Le Brassus would be my choice, or a taking in the Horological Museaum at La Chaux de Fonds.

Mark

[Ewan]

thanks Mark!

Yes, we're due to stay in Reims - I was thinking of doing the Veuve Cliquot tour, it gets pretty good writeups on Tripadvisor and The Widow is our pop of choice, usually

I do like watches but I think I'd have a hard time persuading Kirsten on the merits of hanging around watch museums, and there's always the danger that I'd feel compelled to buy something ... it's going to have to be strictly foodie and petrol head heaven, I think.

Fussen, famous for Neuschwanstein castle... which was indeed in the Great Escape (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang & doubtless many others). According to Autoroute, it's about 340 miles from there to Nurburg, so it's a day drive. I don't think I'll actually drive the 'Ring; not 2 up with a car full of luggage etc, and no time to really enjoy it. We'll probably just mooch about and see what's occuring on the track, then head off to make it back to Calais in one schlepp.

cheers, Ewan

[markc]

I was thinking of doing the Veuve Cliquot tour, it gets pretty good writeups on Tripadvisor and The Widow is our pop of choice, usually

Been into Verve and the shop but we've not done the full cave tour yet. It's Siobhan's fav bubbly as well. Piper Heidsieck is quite good, it has a nice "train" so that you don't have to walk around the caves.

I don't think I'll actually drive the 'Ring; not 2 up with a car full of luggage etc, and no time to really enjoy it. We'll probably just mooch about and see what's occuring on the track, then head off to make it back to Calais in one schlepp.

cheers, Ewan

It'd be a shame not to go for a lap of the Nordschleife while you're there just to say you've done it, assuming it's a public day of course and you get there in time after that long trip from Fussen. It's really not that scary and you're under no obligation to drive fast.
I'd see how busy it is, have a coffee in the Grune Holle Resturant, chat with a few Brits who're there, try an blag a passenger ride or two and see if you feel comfortable. Maybe early the next morning before heading for home?

The museum at the new circuit is worth going to as well. Get a pic of yoursef sitting in the bronze Maserati 250F scultpure outside the museum building.

Como to Parma can take you past Monza if you plan to skirt Milan to the East. Monza is just North East of Milan and the circuit (Autodromo Nazionale) is set in a big park (Parco di Monza). The park is lovely and has sections of the old unused banked track visable at various points. Worth turning up on spec and seeing if anything's happening on track. When I went back in 2002 there was a Superbike test day in full swing. The sound of a Ducati's hammering down the looooong straights and the sound echo'ing around the trees was superb

I assume you'll be doing the Ferrari/Lamborghini/Pagani/Maserati/Ducati thing or a combo of them while you're down at Bologna? It's all good stuff

Cheers

Mark

[forumadmin]

You can go to the big houses however I recommend Roger Brun. He runs a B&B, and gives away free Champagne like it's water. If you stay there, expect to have to drink at least two bottle before bedtime! He also will give you a real and honest version of how the industry runs. The large houses are very corporate. You won't get a tour from Roger Brun, but his Champagne is excellent, and much better value and tastes better than a lot of more expensive ones.

As an indication, we have stayed with him twice, and each time brought back 10 cases or so. His Rose is the best Rose around.

JMHO.

[Ewan]

CHEERS Mark - great tips. I hadn't figured on stopping at Monza, but was planning to go Como -> Bergamo possibly via Bellagio... but I'm inclined to skip that leg and visit Monza instead

As for the 'Ring; well, I figure I'll go back to the Ring to drive it sometime, maybe do a few days there, and get insurance. This time, it's not going to be worth getting insurance for a lap or two, and I don't think I'd want to tackle the Ring with no insurance... or a get-out plan (like a mate to drive me home if the worst happened and the NSX was stacked).

Of course, we'll be doing the various Italian car places in the Parma-> Bologna corridor.

And thanks Kevin, for the B&B recommendation - decisions, decisions!

rgds
Ewan

[Senninha]

I finally got around to watching at home without big old corporate firewalls preventing viewing. Good stuff, I enjoyed that and must say that you were extrememly respectful of the white line!!

Keep on enjoying that soundtrack ...

regards, Paul

[sassthathoopie]

I do remember being a little faster on the Stelvio later in the trip, but then the corners offered much better visibility. Plus more familiar with the car. I'd had it about ten days when the film was shot!

Glad you liked it

[sassthathoopie]

Good stuff, I enjoyed that and must say that you were extrememly respectful of the white line!!

Keep on enjoying that soundtrack ...

regards, Paul

It seems my clip has made it to nsxprime - oddly I'm already being critised for crossing the white lines! And the guy doesn't even have the excuse of living in a state with no proper roads - upstate NY is great

http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120268

As I use a yahoo account I am banned from posting on prime

[goldnsx]

I thought I knew the scenary.

One request please: No offense but please stay within your lane, the one who will cross you will thank you.