A luxury rally from Liguria to Tuscany via Corsica, Sardinia and Elba

Transcription

1 10-24 SEPTEMBER 2017 A luxury rally from Liguria to Tuscany via Corsica, Sardinia and Elba

2 RALLY ROUND Driving Adventures This marvellous event has been a long-cherished dream for our route designer and Clerk of the Course Kim Bannister, renowned for his work on countless international rallies from Peking to Paris and beyond. Odyssey Italia is his first event for Rally Round and he has surpassed himself, finding fabulous routes through sun-drenched mountains and sparkling coastal landscapes. With superb four- and five-star hotels, exquisite cuisine and wonderful company, this is the most exciting and exclusive event we have yet devised, limited to no more than 50 veteran, vintage and pre type classic cars. We are absolutely thrilled to announce a breathtakingly romantic and wonderfully luxurious new driving adventure on some of Europe s greatest rally roads. Inspired by ancient myths and modern legends, the Odyssey Italia will run over 14 days in September 2017, starting from the historic Ligurian port of Genoa and exploring the Mediterranean islands of Corsica, Sardinia and Elba before finishing in glorious Tuscany. As ever, crews of any experience level, expert or novice, may count on the dedicated support of the highly experienced Rally Round team; we offer assistance with everything from rally preparation to car shipping and insurance and provide fully qualified mechanical and medical support, including a luggage service. What s more our start and finish locations are situated within reach of the major airports at Genoa and Pisa; with CARS UK arranging secure transport for your vehicle, you may easily extend your stay in Italy if you wish. For the rally itself you will require no special equipment other than a tripmeter and stopwatch; navigation will be by straightforward tulip roadbook (supplemented by full-colour maps) and there will be no tricky map work, night driving or car-breaking terrain. You do not need competition licences, helmets or fireproof overalls. Although it will be an entertainingly competitive event, the main focus will be on enjoyment, with relaxed schedules, safe speeds and ample time for sightseeing and socialising with friends old and new. The Odyssey Italia will be a luxury rally like no other. We expect the available places to fill very quickly, so if you would like to reserve your place please contact the Rally Round office at your earliest convenience, via , telephone or the Enquiry button on our dedicated website page. We look forward to hearing from you!

3 ODYSSEY ITALIA 2017 *All details are provisional at the time of going to print. Provisional Schedule * Monday 11th September: Liguria - Piedmont 300km Start: Genoa - Acqui Terme - Genoa - Ferry to Corsica. Tuesday 12th September: Corsica 280km Bastia - Cap Corse - St Florent - Ajaccio. Wednesday 13th September: Corsica 222km Ajaccio - Capo Rosso - Porto - Ajaccio. Thursday 14th September: Corsica 290km Ajaccio - Tavera - Aleria - Ajaccio. Friday 15th September: Corsica - Sardinia 203km Ajaccio - Bonifacio - Ferry to Santa Teresa - Badesi. Saturday 16th September: Sardinia Rest Day: Badesi. Sunday 17th September: Sardinia 352km Badesi - Ghilarza - Nuoro - Orosei. Monday 18th September: Sardinia 220km Orosei - Posada - Porto Cervo. Tuesday 19th September: Sardinia Rest Day: Porto Cervo. Wednesday 20th September: Sardinia - Livorno 209km Porto Cervo - Aggius - Olbia - Ferry to Livorno. Thursday 21st September: Livorno - Elba 128km Livorno - Piombino - ferry to Portoferraio - Proccio. Friday 22nd September: Elba 110km Proccio - Capoliveri - Capo d Enfola - Proccio. Saturday 23rd September: Elba - Tuscany 229km Proccio - Portoferraio - Ferry to Piombino - Siena. Sunday 24th September: Tuscany 250km Siena - Montecatini Terme - Barga - Finish. 20:00: Gala Dinner & Prizegiving. Total Distance: 2,793km

4 RALLY ROUND Driving Adventures Flagged away on Monday morning, the rally sets off to enjoy the little-used lanes of Piedmont, a driver s delight as they rise, fall and sweep through pretty villages. Our first appointment is a relaxing lunch in Acqui Terme, a little jewel of a city that is steeped in history; thermal springs were discovered here by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago and some are still in use today. You will have time to explore the area before we wind our way back to Genoa, where we will board the comfortable ferry and sail beneath the stars to Corsica. SUNDAY 10TH - MONDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER GENOA Our Odyssey begins in the beating heart of the historic Ligurian port of Genoa, where on Sunday 10th September we will gather at the elegant, four-star Bristol Palace Hotel. After signing-on and scrutineering between 2pm and 4pm, you may spend a little time exploring the old town s labyrinthine lanes, known as caruggi - you may agree with both American writer Henry James, who described it as the most winding and incoherent of cities, and with French novelist Gustav Flaubert, who found here a beauty that tears the soul. A Competitors Briefing at 6pm will be followed by a session for novices, and at 8pm we will gather for a Welcome Dinner. TUESDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER CORSICA Landing at Bastia on the morning of Day Two, we can look forward to three days on the Mediterranean s most mountainous island. Corsica is revered by motorsport enthusiasts worldwide for the legendary roads that have hosted so many World and European Championship rallies as well as historic events; the Tour de Corse is justifiably known as The Rally of 10,000 Corners, and you will be hard-pressed to find a straight road anywhere! The island is rich in ancient mythology too, being home to the Sirens of Homer s Odyssey, beautiful winged creatures whose songs lured passing sailors to their deaths; the only man to have survived such an encounter was Odysseus himself,

5 ODYSSEY ITALIA 2017 who had his men plug their ears with wax and bind him to the mast. Occupied since prehistoric times and colonised in turn by the Carthaginians, Greeks, Etruscans and Romans, Corsica retains a distinctive language and culture very much influenced by neighbouring Italy; the island was a part of the Republic of Genoa from 1284, and was only briefly independent before being conquered by France in From Bastia we drive the fabulous coast road north to Cap Corse. The views are absolutely stunning as we tackle the twisty mountain roads, passing many ancient convents; strategically placed Time Controls will allow you time to visit some of these architectural beauties. We ll have lunch in the picturesque town of St Florent, overlooking the Mediterranean; a great restaurant and great company should make it a meal to remember as we enjoy the celebrated local cuisine, notably brocciu cheese and Corsica s world-famous charcuterie (the local wild pig is greatly prized, cross-bred with wild boar and fed on chestnuts). Our afternoon drive takes us south through a beautiful Natural Park, offering one panoramic view after another, then passes through several charming villages before eventually reaching the west coast and the luxurious Radisson Hotel and Spa on Ajaccio Bay, our base for three nights. Ajaccio, Corsica s capital, was the birthplace of the island s most famous son, Napoleon Bonaparte, in 1769; he was baptised in the 16th Century Notre Dame Cathedral and his ancestral home is now a museum. WEDNESDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER CORSICA Day Three starts in relaxed fashion with a great breakfast before we head north-west towards Capo Rosso, encountering yet more stunning scenery along the coast. We will enjoy a leisurely lunch in the sleepy seaside town of Porto before tackling yet more mountain passes, none particularly high but nevertheless spectacular; there will also be an opportunity to walk an old mule track through the Gorges de Spelunca, one of Corsica s natural highlights, where you may encounter goats, cows and groups of wild pigs and piglets dozing in the sunshine. Another picturesque stop at the beautiful Cascades d Aitone features two waterfalls cascading either side of a ruined mill in the Aitone Forest, and from here we return to our hotel via a coffee break in the mountain village of Sarrola-Carcopino.

6 RALLY ROUND Driving Adventures THURSDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER CORSICA Day Four takes us east into central Corsica, climbing to an altitude of more than 2,000m in the Monte Renoso massif, with its many waterfalls. Just before the village of Bocognano we pause to visit the remarkable statue menhir at Tavera, a 2.42-metre granite figure carved in the Bronze Age. There is more history to admire at Aleria, the Roman capital of Corsica, where we will stop for lunch and view the archaeological digs and recent finds. A fast, unusually straight road then leads us to the coastal town of Solenzara, at the foot of the Bavella Mountain. From here, the road begins to wind again and we will pause in the pretty town of Petreto- Bicchisano for a coffee and a stroll around before heading back to our hotel. FRIDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER CORSICA-SARDINIA The morning of Day Five sees us check-out from the hotel and take the coast road south. Look out for the old Watch Towers en route; around Ajaccio Bay there are 67 of them, converted into holiday accommodation. Driving over to the east coast we will stop in the mountain village of Sainte Lucie de Tallano and visit the windmill where their famous olive oil is produced. After a beachside lunch at Porto-Vecchio we then continue south through seaside villages to the ferry port of Bonifacio for our short ferry crossing to the rugged island of Sardinia, where we will spend five nights in four- and five-star luxury; our first hotel is the four-star Delphina Le Dune Resort and Spa at Badesi Marina, a short drive from the charming port of Santa Teresa di Gallura.

7 ODYSSEY ITALIA 2017 SATURDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER SARDINIA (Rest Day) With your steering gear thoroughly warmed up on Corsica s twists and turns, we are sure you will enjoy Sardinia. This too is wonderful rally country - its narrow mountain roads and tracks have hosted Italy s round of the World Rally Championship since 2004 and many of them feature on our route, which has been designed with the assistance of Rally Italy s Clerk of the Course. It s not all heat and dust, however. Day Six is a rest day, allowing you to explore some of the island s many attractions, among them hundreds of mysterious Bronze Age giants tombs and thousands of nuraghes, megalithic fortresses built from BC. Set amid breathtaking scenery there are spectacular remains of more recent civilisations at amazing sites such as Tharros, a city dating back to Phoenician times, along with countless Roman, Byzantine and medieval wonders. Today you may wish to visit the picturesque coastal town of Castelsardo, founded in the 12th Century, which boasts many attractive restaurants and shops selling Sardinian handicrafts; it is also a wonderful location for scuba diving. Alternatively you may prefer to sunbathe on one of the area s white sandy beaches, indulge in a spa treatment at the hotel or simply relax around the swimming pool. SUNDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER SARDINIA Suitably refreshed after our rest day, we fire up the cars again and head off to explore new territory. Day seven s morning s highlight is a visit to the Autodromo di Mores, where we will have lots of fun driving the circuit. We then continue south to lunch in the seaside village of Ghilarza, pausing en route at Nuraghe Losa, the largest and best preserved of the island s prehistoric structures. The twitchers among you will enjoy Ghilarza, as the area is home to thousands of pink flamingos, cormorants, herons and other protected bird species - don t forget your binoculars! If you can drag yourself away, our next destination is the city of Nuoro, on the slopes of the Monte Ortobene. The birthplace of several renowned artists, sculptors, writers and poets, Nuoro is also known as the Atene Sarda (Sardinian Athens) and is an important cultural centre with several fine museums; we have located the day s final Time Control here so you may explore the town at leisure before checking-in at the four-star Club Hotel Marina Beach, overlooking the Gulf of Orosei.

8 RALLY ROUND Driving Adventures MONDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER SARDINIA Day Eight begins with a drive along the coast, with Monte Remule in the background. Following a coffee break in Siniscola, we head north to the historic clifftop village of Posada. Overlooked by the ruined 12th Century Castello della Fava, Posada retains its medieval layout with winding streets joined by steep steps, arches and small squares. Over time, the grey stone houses have been restored to their former glory and the castle too has undergone restoration; a wooden staircase leads to the top of the square tower, from where you may enjoy a wonderful panorama of the sea, the Posada estuary and the surrounding plain covered with citrus fruit orchards. Driving on, we follow the twisty coast road to lunch overlooking the Golfo di Olbia, then press on to Porto Cervo on the Costa Smeralda. Created in the 1950s and 1960s by Prince Karim Aga Khan and designed by architects and landscape artists, this glamorous seaside village is a favourite haunt of superyacht owners; it boasts some of the most expensive property in Europe ( 300,000 per square metre) and even has a Harrods store with its own Bugatti stand. Because you re worth it, we will stay here for two nights, at the five-star Colonna Resort Hotel. TUESDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER SARDINIA (Rest Day) Day Nine is another rest day, enabling you to relax and enjoy this exceptionally beautiful area. You may take advantage of the hotel spa facilities, swim or sunbathe at the pool or the beach, go scuba diving at the Orso Diving Club or play a few holes at the splendid Pevero Golf Club, overlooking the sea. Alternatively you may wish to take a day trip to Isola Della Maddalena in the Parco Nazionale Dell Arcipelago, a group of pretty pink granite islands just off the coast, or explore the local restaurants for a taste of Sardinia s delightful cuisine, noted for fresh fish and pane carasau flatbread, fregola sarda pasta, suckling pig, honey-covered cheese-filled seadas and almond pastries, not to mention Mirto, the delicious myrtle-based liqueur.

9 ODYSSEY ITALIA 2017 WEDNESDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER SARDINIA Refreshed and fortified by a good breakfast, we check out of the Colonna Hotel and set off to explore the wonderful roads and scenery of the Monti Ultana region on Day 10. We arrive in Tempio Pausania in time for lunch then visit the historic, award-winning village of Aggius, where the old granite houses are among the finest examples of local folk architecture. You might spare a thought for Odysseus wife Penelope here, as Aggius has a thriving tradition of hand-loom weaving, particularly of carpets; don t worry if you forgot to allow space in your rally car for home furnishings, as they can always be shipped for you. The village also houses the Olivia Carta Cannas museum, displaying the artefacts, culture and traditions of the Gallura region, and a unique museum of banditry, for which Aggius was renowned in past centuries. Returning to our cars, an afternoon of wheel-twirling on seemingly endless hairpin bends leads us to the port of Olbia. As it is not possible to sail directly to Elba, we must first take an overnight ferry to Livorno on the Italian mainland, and we will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant before taking to our cabins.

10 RALLY ROUND Driving Adventures THURSDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER ELBA Day 11 begins with our early morning arrival in Livorno and an 86km drive south to Piombino. From here we embark on the one-hour crossing of the Tyrrhenian Sea to Portoferraio, capital of Elba, then drive a further 11km to the four-star Hotel Del Golfo on Proccio beach, arriving in good time to relax and enjoy the facilities before dinner. We are staying here for two nights as we explore the island, all that remains of an ancient land bridge between the mainland and Corsica. Elba s wonderfully varied scenery is dominated in the west by the 1,018m Mount Capanne, populated by wild sheep (mouflon) and wild boar, and offers yet more superb driving as we follow in the wheeltracks of the recent Rallye Elba Storico. Legend - supported by undersea ruins - says that Jason and his Argonauts rested here on their quest for the Golden Fleece, staining the white beach pebbles blue and grey with their sweat; another romantic fable concerns the lost love of Princess Alba and Sabinus; it is said that you may still hear Alba s plaintive cries in the ruins of the Roman house at the caves of Portoferraio. A more tangible legacy was left behind by our old friend Napoleon Bonaparte, who spent 300 days in exile here before his fateful return to France in 1815; he so enjoyed his residence at the Villa dei Mulini that he donated it to the town, and it is now a museum. Elba is noted for its red, white and sweet wines and you will have plenty of time to sample them, along with the fresh seafood that characterises the island s elegantly simple yet eclectic cuisine, which draws on Tuscan, Ligurian, Provencale and even pirate influences.

11 ODYSSEY ITALIA 2017 FRIDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER ELBA 1958 the tuna were also cut and prepared here, in a building that has recently been renovated and is now the headquarters of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park. The narrow isthmus that joins Enfola to the rest of the island has a beach on each side, from where you may admire the coastline as far as Sant Andrea, and the mariners amongst you may hire pedalos. Alternatively, as the cape is just 6km from Portoferraio, you may browse the shops there for a few hours before returning to the hotel for drinks and dinner. Day 12 affords an opportunity to drive the interesting roads in Elba s less mountainous eastern regions, the source of the rich iron deposits that made the island famous. We first take the beautiful, sweeping road to Capoliveri for lunch at the five-star Koala Restaurant, set in the hills overlooking the town; look out for whales and dolphins in the Golfo di Campo as you drive along the coast. After a wonderful meal we continue on our way, taking in sights such as the busy port of Azzurro, and finish the day early at Capo d Enfola, famous as an ancient tuna fishing port. Until

12 RALLY ROUND Driving Adventures SATURDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER TUSCANY Day 13 starts early as we sail back to mainland Italy for two wonderful days in glorious Tuscany. The roads here are simply amazing, sweeping through gorgeous landscapes dotted with timeless villages. Our first destination is the historic town of Volterra, inhabited since the Bronze Age; we will enjoy a leisurely lunch stop here with time to admire the sights, not least the lovely frescos in the Church of San Francesco. Our afternoon drive then takes us through more stunning scenery to our overnight halt at the four-star Garden Hotel in the fabulous city of Siena, a UNECSO World Heritage Site that is well worth exploring; the 12th Century Cathedral in particular is an architectural masterpiece, justly renowned for its Romanesque- Gothic facade, octagonal pulpit, Renaissance frescos and elaborate marble mosaic floor.

13 ODYSSEY ITALIA 2017 countryside, interrupted by a couple of regularity sections to decide the final standings on the rally leaderboard. You may enjoy a well-deserved glass of Champagne as we reach our superbly luxurious fivestar hotel, the Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa, situated near the medieval town of Barga in the lush hills 60km north of Pisa. Here we will celebrate the finish of a truly memorable driving adventure with a Gala Dinner and Prizegiving, and no doubt linger at the bar to weave increasingly heroic and mythical yarns long into the night. SUNDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER TUSCANY It took Odysseus 10 long years to reach his destination. However, time flies faster when you re having fun, and it will surely be hard to believe that we have almost reached the end of our journey. Day 14 sees us leave the iconic city of Siena and drive to lunch in the ancient town of Montecatini Terme, which can trace its origins back at least 10,000 years to the Mesolithic period and beyond; fashion historians may also recall that Christian Dior died here in 1957, in circumstances that remain mysterious to this day. There will be time to stroll around the town centre and pick up a few lastminute souvenirs before we return to our cars for a relaxing afternoon cruise through the beautiful Tuscan

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16 The best, most exciting rally we have ever done. Xavier del Marmol & Ines Bodmer, The Road to Mandalay Rally 2014 Words cannot express how amazing this rally was - truly a once in a lifetime experience! David & Adele Cohen, The Thunder Dragon Rally 2015 A great event and great fun but still a challenge. We enjoyed every minute. Peter Baker, The Paris-Madrid Rally 2014 A stupendous rally, really outstanding. Extremely well organised and action-packed. An abiding memory will be of the great camaraderie and endless laughter. We cannot think of a single thing that would have made it better. Adrian & Barbara Shooter, The Road to Mandalay Rally 2014 This wonderful rally will live long in the memory. Octane Magazine, The Paris-Madrid Rally 2013 Your organization is perfect. Bravo! Georges Ruiz, The Thunder Dragon Rally 2015 The Studio Coachman s Lodge Frensham Lane Churt Surrey GU10 2QQ +44 (0) info@rallyround.co.uk SUPPORTED BY