MOB - My Story

midlifecrisis

Member
Messages
16,102
It will be named:

SportsMaserati Tuscan Tea Party (TTP)

Will be a hilltop tour of the very best of Tuscany and Umbria culminating in a seaside residence in our favourite hotel in Tropea, Calabria:

https://www.baiadelsole.com/en/

Including:
San Gimignano
Assisi
Orvietto
Cortona
Perugia

We are also looking into the viability of transporting the cars there and back and flying out.

Lots of time but it does mean the Scany Tour is pushed back a year to late summer 2020 due to the sun factor.
I've driven up to those places from Rome, and they're simply stunning. Small Umbrian villages are quite picturesque. Count me in on that tour
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
Well, as its Monday and I am avoiding work I may as well give my report.

Having organised a few of these now, I am finding my feet in perfecting them and the feedback was a positive one.

Ok, its a lot of work for both myself and Zep, but ultimately we both enjoyed it immensely. I feel the testament of just how much is that Zep and I travelled some 2k miles over the 10 days in his Strad and not once did we have the radio on...no entertainment required, just banter and mucking about the whole way.

Not to spend this opportunity to self congratulate ourselves I would just like to mention the behaviour. The group can be 'rare' and know how to have a good time but also they all knew where the lines were and there were zero issues in the hotels and for that, Zep and I are very, very grateful. Its takes away probably one of the most stressful elements of organising these events and I thank you all.

My 'publishable' photos will follow but the highlights for me is the journey....travelling across Europe and yes at speed, with like minded individuals, getting positive attention where ever we went has to be my favourite part....oh, and the banter and drinking...did I mention that :)

PART 1:

FRIDAY - Assembly!
First night in Dover was chaotic. The M25 on a Friday afternoon was, well, what you would expect. It was very much a race to the start. Once we finally all got to the hotel, we ate then headed off to the Tiger in...which I duly forgot to book, thinking 30 or so could just turn up to this small country pub...ooops! Thankfully it was the only 'cockup' I made and one we laughed at.

Saturday - The off!
Early morning ferry out of Dover then the long and arduous journey to Lyon. We always knew this was going to be a hard slog to playdays but it all went well with mainly motorway all the way mixed in with a few wrong turns, naturally. We all arrived in dribs and drabs to our 5 star hotel in Lyon. Usual service was taken...park, dump the bags....BAR! We drank there for a few hours but the €19 Gin and tonics started to get heavy to swallow after a while so we despatched ourselves into town for the feeding frenzy. A few beers may have been taken in and I think it all ended about 2am

Sunday - Hills, lakes and hot tubs!
We commeced via Grenoble and onto the first part of the route Napoleon. Unfortunately we lost Benny due to mechanical failure half way so his day was spoilt plus Roger blew a tyre so we were 2 down. With Steph brining up the rear a day later, he was able to collect the stragglers and all made it to the hotel. Gliding through the mountains and pushing on to our Alps hotel in Lauzet. This was a more basic hotel but the owners were very accommodating and we certainly pressed on in the bar too.

Monday - Monaco or Bust!
Another long day in the saddle with our main destination firmly in our sights. More route Napoleon and lunch in the stunning Castallene. Arriving in Monaco was a mad house. So much traffic crammed into such a small space. We had two new additions join us by plane...mine and Shauns Wives. I remember Shaun asking me if I have been nagged yet...to which I just nodded :) We have a group meal outside in the harbour and then onto the casinos. I bailed at 2am but many were seen crawling into the hotel for breakfast.

Tuesday - Italy!
Heads hurting we headed for the border along the cost to Portofino where we would reside for two nights....and what a treat is was too. The hotel was stunning and I think I can remain confident here in saying this was by far the best hotel. Sitting on the veranda, gins, sunsets, good friends = good times. That evening we all split into more manageable groups and walked into town for food, followed by bar and carnage :)

PART 2 to follow...
 
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conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
Part 2:

Wednesday - Portofino Posing

The morning was spent by many washing the cars after collecting many bug families along the way. We collected in Portofino where a very irate copper was stressing about the place saying we were an hour late and we all had to go down together to the harbour in one convoy. Zep employed his delay tactics and I employed waving cash at him. This was not a good idea in hind sight...blatent bribery of local bobby and more weird is he refused it...how odd. Eventually we got down the front where the cars were all lined up and it was very much the centre of the tourists attention. We let about 5pm, retiring back to the hotel to continue the eating and drinking festival.

Thursday - Como

By this time, the group were getting a dab hand and breezing into town, showing off and taking over the best bars and camping out. We took the opportunity to stop off at the Alfa Arese museum on the way. The stunning sights of Como would have to wait till the morning and they only had one thing on their mind. As one bar shut, another one was found and ultimately we ended up in a Cocktail bar....due to shut at midnight...we sort of persuaded the owners to stay open till 3am. Many had to be dragged out as the simple task of walking had availed them. Steph/Eb being the most 'incapable' after falling through the front of the bar with memories of Trig and Del Boy fresh on our minds.

Friday - Speedboats

We awoke to a glorious morning and were presented with the lake and the speed boats. Its going to be difficult for me to put this day into words but it will remain one I remember for ever. Carving through the waters with the warm breeze on our faces and a glass of champers in our hands, smiling was the order of the day. We stopped briefly and went for a dip. Next up was a ferry over to the other side and gin and tonics on the veranda as the sun went down. Hot tailing it back over on the last ferry, the group were all together again and we exploited a local restaurant who amazingly catered for the whole party with ease...despite already being busy and us not booking (take note Kent pubs!)

Saturday - Homeward bound

Leaving the hotel early we had to go back over the Alps en route to Mulhouse, our final stay. Unfortunately we lost Shaun to yet another blown 4200 tyre and had no option but to leave him behind. We could have taken the motorway though Switzerland but found the off piste routes from Stelvio more fun and boy did we exploit them. We finally arrived in Mulhouse late on and spend the next hour with bits of old wood getting the cars down the ramp into the garage prive. Collecting in the hotel bar, the smiles on peoples faces could not be hidden. We moved into the restaurant which we had all to our selves and blew the last of the kitty. Then thanks to Newton....Zep and I were press-ganged into speeches. The rest of the night was a bit of a blur.

Sunday - Fin

The final leg and a race to the ferry is usually a boring depressing one but with smiles on our faces and cheer in our bellies the group mainly stayed together and kept each other entertained to the finish line via the radios.

Until the next one!
 

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,220
Mine didn't like being taken to the Alfa Museum and threw a hissy fit!

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On returning to the car it started but with multiple bleeps engine management light and a Cambio warning light; no gears available!!!

Much cursing and swearing at it, a 10 minute reset and nothing! Out of pure frustration I rev'd the proverbial out of it and amazingly it responded by putting out the Cambio light! Gears available we made haste for Lake Como without turning the engine off till the hotel.

On Saturday morning the first mountain climb saw the engine management light go out and all was well... Got to love Italian cars!!!
 

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,220
Not necessarily in order then:

First spot of Maseratis after a very early start at Dover, MR & Mrs Dover!

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It all got too much in Lyon!

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Found some glorious grub and let everyone know where it was and more than half joined us...

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A great food combo I must try sometime!

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2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,220
Ah, the hot tub....

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Probably best not to dwell on that, so the lovely level car park the following morning (not that Jeanette will remember it!)

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Some time later (two days actually) Jeanette enjoyed some driving in Italy

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To Pisa (just the two of us)...

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Found Superman painted on the Cathedral dome!

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Late to the hotel in Portofino, the car park was full!

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The views stunning though

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2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,220
A different view of Portofino:

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The other sea view from the hotel room!

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El Capitano and.... El Capitain!

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Its a hard life sometimes:

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The intensity of light is hard to describe, this is just a few minutes before sun down over the mountains!

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All is well:

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Cobble mountain passes!!!

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One of my more remote finds!

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Though curiously as we drove off we hooked up with Terry and played with the locals and tourists for the rest of the day (avoiding buckets of water being thrown at the spyder)...
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
Part 2:

Wednesday - Portofino Posing

The morning was spent by many washing the cars after collecting many bug families along the way. We collected in Portofino where a very irate copper was stressing about the place saying we were an hour late and we all had to go down together to the harbour in one convoy. Zep employed his delay tactics and I employed waving cash at him. This was not a good idea in hind sight...blatent bribery of local bobby and more weird is he refused it...how odd. Eventually we got down the front where the cars were all lined up and it was very much the centre of the tourists attention. We let about 5pm, retiring back to the hotel to continue the eating and drinking festival.

Thursday - Como

By this time, the group were getting a dab hand and breezing into town, showing off and taking over the best bars and camping out. We took the opportunity to stop off at the Alfa Arese museum on the way. The stunning sights of Como would have to wait till the morning and they only had one thing on their mind. As one bar shut, another one was found and ultimately we ended up in a Cocktail bar....due to shut at midnight...we sort of persuaded the owners to stay open till 3am. Many had to be dragged out as the simple task of walking had availed them. Steph/Eb being the most 'incapable' after falling through the front of the bar with memories of Trig and Del Boy fresh on our minds.

Friday - Speedboats

We awoke to a glorious morning and were presented with the lake and the speed boats. Its going to be difficult for me to put this day into words but it will remain one I remember for ever. Carving through the waters with the warm breeze on our faces and a glass of champers in our hands, smiling was the order of the day. We stopped briefly and went for a dip. Next up was a ferry over to the other side and gin and tonics on the veranda as the sun went down. Hot tailing it back over on the last ferry, the group were all together again and we exploited a local restaurant who amazingly catered for the whole party with ease...despite already being busy and us not booking (take note Kent pubs!)

Saturday - Homeward bound

Leaving the hotel early we had to go back over the Alps en route to Mulhouse, our final stay. Unfortunately we lost Shaun to yet another blown 4200 tyre and had no option but to leave him behind. We could have taken the motorway though Switzerland but found the off piste routes from Stelvio more fun and boy did we exploit them. We finally arrived in Mulhouse late on and spend the next hour with bits of old wood getting the cars down the ramp into the garage prive. Collecting in the hotel bar, the smiles on peoples faces could not be hidden. We moved into the restaurant which we had all to our selves and blew the last of the kitty. Then thanks to Newton....Zep and I were press-ganged into speeches. The rest of the night was a bit of a blur.

Sunday - Fin

The final leg and a race to the ferry is usually a boring depressing one but with smiles on our faces and cheer in our bellies the group mainly stayed together and kept each other entertained to the finish line via the radios.

Until the next one!

I agree with all of this and more. It was a pleasure and an honour to be able to make a small contribution to this trip rather than just asking where lunch is.... The banter in Sooty the Strad was great, the nights in the bar awesome, the drives stunning. The day on the lake, there aren’t enough superlatives to describe it.

If I could have turned around and done it all again with everyone, I would have. Apart from, maybe, the speech.

As Matt says, on to the next, it has a high bar to match this one.
 

IanU

Member
Messages
336
Well it’s difficult to add anything that hasn’t already been said, a simply stunning trip combining a superb mix of driving experiences across stunning locations befitting the marque. Thanks to all for making us newbies to both the SM Club (that sounds wrong!!) and Maserati ownership so very welcome. A terrific party. Definitely feeling the MoB blues at the moment☹
A selection of photos to follow over the next few days - taken along the routes, points of interest and tucked up for the nights.

Day 1 Reims
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IanU

Member
Messages
336
Day 3 – MoB
Lunch at Castellane in the valley below.
The advance party could be heard descending into the distance long after we lost sight.
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Monaco room with a view – front of house outside the Concierge desk “would you like us to take care of your car Sir?”……. “that’ll be 40 Euro for the privilege….oh didn’t we tell you?”
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Bedtime in Monaco:
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Decisions decisions…… helipcopter or no helicopter?
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