The Rally Rivera starts in 24 hours’ time. It promises to be a spectacular pleasure for those taking part. With this blog we’ll be setting the scene. Then throughout the week, I’ll be blogging on the occasion as the drivers and their passengers make their way through France, Germany, Switzerland and back into Italy.
At 9.00am, 8th September 2013, the 35 teams who are taking part on the Oliver Myles Events organised trip will take the start. They will leave the grid at the famous Goodwood racing circuit and head for a drive up the driveway of Goodwood House – scene of the recent and spectacular – Goodwood Festival of Speed. This is not an everyday opportunity – but it’s part of this memorable trip that takes in 6 days and 5 countries.
From Goodwood, the teams take a drive to the Channel Tunnel and then through France onto a Hotel in celebrated Champagne country. An evening of fine Champagne and sumptuous food at Moet & Chandon awaits. This splendid array of the world’s most illustrious champagnes is enough to raise a glass to. Pictures on the next blog will follow….
A leisurely morning follows. From here, the teams in an assortment of motor vehicular royalty will wind their way through western France – including Nancy and Strasbourg – and over the border to the Black Forest. The teams will rest overnight in the pretty village of Tonbach.
Having enjoyed the finery that Germany can offer, the drivers and their passengers will then set off for Italy, but it’s the journey on the way which will stand out. With cars and drivers ready, the teams will pass through Germany and Switzerland taking in famed locations such as Davos, St Moritz and Kloisters. The skiers amongst will be jealous of these locations albeit in their late summer beauty. From these skiing meccas, the drivers and their chariots will pass through the Stelvio Pass.
The Stelvio Pass is famed as one of the most testing – yet thrilling – roads across the world. It’s combination of hairpins, drops and falls this road is quite rightly written in driving folklore. As I write the hairs on my legs are standing up – what an opportunity! The teams will love it. Shortly after this thrilling adventure, the teams will ’overnight’ at the Spa & Benessere Bagni Nuovi and Bagni Vecchi. There will be many hours free time to enjoy the 70 different thermal baths. That’s if you need de-stress and unwind. Maybe, we won’t be able to tear the drivers away from the Stelvio Pass?
With teams refreshed by the spa and the previous day’s drive, the teams set off leisurely for a drive through north western Italy. That night the drivers and passengers will stay at the five star Excelsior Palace Hotel in the town of Rapallo on the Portofino coast. Some exquisite culinary fare awaits, maybe with a nice glass of Barollo? Hmmmm. Lovely.
A rest day follows so the teams can enjoy the delights that only the coast and Portofino can offer.
On Saturday – the final day – the drivers follow the wonderful and breath taking coastal road along the French Rivera into Monte Carlo. It’s the final drive until the next day when they they make their way back to Blighty. But no one is thinking of home yet! A Black Tie and Glamorous ball awaits at the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel that evening to round off a thoroughly enjoyable week.
This is a week about driving beautiful cars to wonderful locations eating exquisite food, sampling the finest wine & champagne and experiencing 5 magnificent countries.
This will be a memorable trip. A lot of driving ahead, I better get some beauty sleep!
This blog will follow the Rally and you can follow the trip on Twitter with the #RallyRiviera or on Facebook – Oliver Myles Events.
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