This is the itinery of the tour. I need to upload the photos which I will do later and update.
Furball 5000
The Alpine Tour 2006 & 2007
Day 1: A Taste of Motorsport History
Carving through the Champagne region we arrive in Reims for lunch at the historic motor sport restaurant. We’ll have plenty of time for photo opportunities at the Grand Prix Ruins.
The ruins of the old pits and grandstand lay on a 2 mile straight that is perfect for high speed runs. It looks great on camera and the noise as the cars fly past on full chat echo’s beautifully off the grandstand, though we obviously frown upon such behaviour.
We then press on via Dijon to our overnight stop at Bourg-en-Bresse, just north of the French Alps.
Day 1: 445 miles
The historic motorsport restaurant sits on what was the
top of the start/finish straight
Day 2: The Route Napoleon
The day begins with a short drive to the city of Grenoble where we pick up the start of the N85 - the legendary Route Napoleon. Widely regarded as one of the world’s finest drivers roads, the Route Napoleon combines wide sweeping ribbons of tarmac with mountainous hairpins and incredible views all along it’s length.
Lunch at Chateau Arnoux will be a great way to catch your breath before the real fun starts! This is where the Route Napoleon gets really interesting. Passing Castellane we head into the Grand Canyon du Verdon and the incredible roads that surround it (recently described as ‘the most demanding road in the world’ by Jeremy Clarkson and ‘God’s own driving road by EVO’).
After our excursion we again pick up the N85 and enjoy the remainder of the epic Route direct into Cannes for a run down the Croisette.
Day 2: 305 miles
Over the millenia the Verdon River has eroded through 700 metres
of limestone to create the spectacular Grand Canyon du Verdon
Day 3: The Johnny Big ■■■■■■■■ Day
You have options here: either lie in and sleep off the excesses of the night before and take a gentle 35 mile cruise to Monaco or get up earlier and take the long route, through possibly the finest roads in the world.
We’d strongly urge everybody to join us as we head back up the Route Napoleon to a lunch stop high in the Alps at the ski resort of Valberg. From there we head east to tackle the monumental Gorges de Daluis and the Gorges de Cians.
We aim to arrive in Monte Carlo for mid-afternoon and gather in the harbour for guided laps of the Grand Prix circuit. Upon checking into The Mirabeau Hotel you will be presented with the Carte d’Or and the privileges which that entitles you to.
Later that evening you will enjoy a meal at Monte Carlo’s finest restaurant, buried high up in the cliffs overlooking the entire Côte d’Azur.
Day 3: 35 / 201 miles
Day 4: The Italian Tunnel Run
One option is to stay on in Monaco, enjoying the privileges of your Carte d’Or (or maybe just sleep in?) before making use of Italy’s swift motorways on your way to Bologna. The second option is to leave in the morning and take in the 100+ tunnels on the way to lunch in Pisa.
After lunch we cross the Alpi Apuane and storm the winding roads that form the test routes for Pagani and Ferrari. We’ll all rendezvous at our hotel in the buzzing city of Bologna. It’s likely to be a long night.
Day 4: 350 miles
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
Day 5: Supercar Valley
Luckily for those that partied hard in Bologna, our first stint is a short one to Sant’Agata - home of Lamborghini and their impressive museum. As well as Miuras, Countachs and the incredible Lamborghini marine engines, you are very likely to see new prototypes and development cars as the factory are working hard on new additions to their line up.
Lunch and then onto “The Cavallino,”* - the unofficial Ferrari staff cafeteria and shrine to the prancing pony. After lunch we head to San Cesario and to the facilities of Pagani for a tour of the factory and a gawp at the awesome Zonda F.
The final stint of the day sees us travelling through Verona and Brescia and regrouping at Bormio before tackling the South East face of the famous Passo dello Stelvio. Relax at our mountain-top hotel and enjoy the sunset at over 9,000ft.
Day 5: 285 miles *subject to confirmation
The excellent museum is home to a
wealth of Lamborghini heritage
Get your mucky fingerprints on the
Zonda F when we visit Pagani
Day 6: The Swiss Alps
For breakfast we have the North West face of the Passo dello Stelvio. We then carve through beautiful national parkland and into Switzerland. Here we find ourselves in the incredible valley that runs alongside the Vorderrhein River. With majestic scenery, wide sweeping roads and endless visibility these are roads to be savoured.
We will take a well-earned lunch stop at Andermatt to prepare ourselves for the epic Furkapass. We then pass through Brig and back into France before arriving at our hotel in Chamonix, in the shadow of the majestic Mont Blanc (4,807m).
Day 6: 355 miles
The Furkapass in Switzerland. This awesome
mountain pass rises to 2,436m above sea level.
Day 7: The French Alps
We begin day seven by crossing back into Italy via the Tunnel du Mont Blanc and across the Alpine roads towards the spectacular Col du Petit Saint-Bernard. We cross back into France via mile after mile of challenging tarmac and breath-taking views.
We take lunch at Bourg Saint Maurice surrounded by incredible mountains, housing famous ski resorts.
After lunch we skip around Geneva and cross the Jura Mountains into the Bourgogne region of France towards our hotel in Dole.
Day 7: 290 miles
Col de Petit Saint-Bernard - not the straightest road in the world
Day 8: The Seven Valleys
Shunning the Autoroutes we’ll be taking the finest back roads to Reims and another appointment with the very talented kitchen of the motorsport restaurant at the top of the old Grands Prix straight. Of course, those who hit the town hard the night before can always take advantage of the autoroutes and grab a few hours of extra shut-eye.
Then we press on towards the magnificent roads and scenery of the 7 Vallées and our ferry back to blighty.
Day 8: 430 miles
The restaurant at the Grand Prix Ruins in Reims
