THREE COUNTRIES IN ONE TOUR: ANDORRA, FRANCE AND SPAIN

THREE COUNTRIES IN ONE TOUR: ANDORRA, FRANCE AND SPAIN

Details have been released on the spectacular FIVA World Rally in Andorra this summer (1-7 July 2019), open to anyone with a historic car at least 30 years old, not only to members of FIVA (the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens or international federation of historic vehicles).

As FIVA President Patrick Rollet explains, “While Andorra is hosting the event, the World Rally enables participants to visit three countries – Andorra, France and Spain.”

The itinerary is bursting with opportunities to enjoy new experiences in company with other historic car enthusiasts, from rafting in Sort, a small Spanish village some 70 km from Andorra to riding Andorra’s Tobotronc (at 5km, it’s the longest Alpine toboggan run in the world – but very safe!). There are museum tours, shopping expeditions and a concours in a pedestrian-only avenue in the centre of the nation’s capital city, Andorra la Vella plus, for those who prefer more sedentary pursuits, there’s a concert at the Ordino Auditorium and spectating at the Cirque du Soleil. Whatever activities are on offer during the day, however, each night will see participants return for an overnight stay at the luxurious Arthotel in the centre of Andorra la Vella, capital of the Principality of Andorra.

“This means that despite the 500km in total that the route will cover through Andorra, France and Spain in the course of five days, any mechanical maladies will not disrupt the fun,” continues Patrick Rollet. “The drive will include dramatic roads high in the Pyrenees but the emphasis is on exploring the beautiful countryside and absorbing local culture, rather than pushing your car to its limits.”

To register for this unmissable event, visit andorrabooking.com.

Itinerary

1st July (Monday)

Arrival at the hotel. Reception and welcome drink. Dinner and overnight stay.

2nd July (Tuesday)

Breakfast at the hotel. The day dedicated to the visit of the ‘3 Nations’, with a stop at St. Joan de Caselles, visit the Museum of the Motorcycle, coffee break at the Port d’Envalira circuit, lunch at El Prado Restaurant in Puigcerdà and a return to Andorra via La Seu d’Urgell. Dinner at the hotel.

3rd July (Wednesday)

Breakfast at the hotel. Day dedicated to the discovery of the southern part of the country, followed by a visit to Naturlandia to enjoy the Tobotronc. Coffee break. Lunch in Os de Civic. At 17h00, entry to Caldea. Dinner at the hotel. At 22h00, departure by bus from the hotel to attend an ONCA Concert at the Ordino Auditorium. Return to the hotel.

4th July (Thursday)

Breakfast at the hotel. Walking tour of ‘old town’ and Casa de la Vall, the seat of government. At 11h00, departure for the 3 Valleys. Coffee break in Arcalis and then to the Coll de la Botella. Lunch in the restaurant grill. Afternoon visit to the Museum of the Automobile (Encamp). Dinner at the hotel.

5th July (Friday)

Breakfast at the hotel. Day devoted to a route in Spain. Departure from the hotel at 09h00 to head for Sort, a small village 70 km from Andorra, with rafting. A country lunch at the Borda Ritort in Sort. Back to Andorra for dinner and Cirque du Soleil.

6th July (Saturday)

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning shopping downtown. Lunch in Andorra la Vella. In the afternoon, the Elegance Competition will take place at Vivand, a commercial/pedestrian avenue in the city centre. Closing dinner and awards ceremony.

7th July (Sunday)

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by departure.

Price per person:

• Accommodation in double room €690.00 p.
• Accommodation in single room €790.00
• Participants with motorhome €510.00 p. (full programme without hotel accommodation)

The price includes:

• Stay with half-board Arthotel
• 5 lunches, drinks included
• Entrance to the Automobile Museum of Encamp
• Entry to the Motorcycle Museum in Canillo
• Entry to Caldea
• Descent on the Tobotronc
• Closing dinner, drinks included
• Coffee breaks
• Commemorative plaque for all participants
• Dossier with general information about Andorra, etc.
• Insurance for cancellation and travel assistance

See andorrabooking.com for more details.

THE ULTIMATE ITALIAN JOB TOUR TO COMMEMORATE THE MOVIE’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

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THE ULTIMATE ITALIAN JOB TOUR TO COMMEMORATE THE MOVIE’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Classic car owners are being invited to commemorate the 50th anniversary of The Italian Job on an extraordinary 11-day driving tour which takes in many of the famous roads and locations featured in the movie. The Ultimate Italian Job Tour, created by Classics on the Road and the Jaguar E-type Club, will treat drivers and their companions to some of Europe’s most fabulous roads and scenery as its route passes through France, Italy and Switzerland between October 6th and 17th 2019.

Highlights of the Tour will include a driving experience on the rooftop test track of Fiat’s former Lingotto factory in Turin, which appeared in the movie’s legendary car chase; driving some of the most spectacular mountain roads in Europe, and an evening with key personalities involved in making the film.

Participants in the Ultimate Italian Job Tour will be accompanied throughout the 1,400-mile drive by a swarm of red, white and blue Minis, and by the red Jaguar E-type roadster, orange Lamborghini Miura P400, and silver Aston Martin DB4 convertible seen in the movie. The Tour visits the St. Bernard Pass, scene of the film’s opening credits, where the Miura was blown-up in a tunnel and the E-type and DB4 also met their fates.

While in Turin, Tour participants will spend a few days in the company of The Italian Job producer Michael Deeley; stunt director Rémy Julienne; actor David Salamone, who played Dominic, one of Charlie Croker’s gang of ‘Chinless Wonders’; and subject-expert Matthew Field, whose new book, The Self Preservation Society – 50 years of The Italian Job, will be published later this year.

The three-day Italian Job experience will also include a private screening of the film; a ‘soirée’ hosted by Field; a Walking Tour in the city of car-chase locations with commentary by Field, visiting the Baroque staircase of the Palazzo Madama, the crowded porticoes on Via Roma, the cathedral steps and the weir on the River Po. Tour participants will also receive a copy of his book.

In keeping with its theme, the Ultimate Italian Job Tour is open exclusively to E-types, and to pre-1970 Lamborghinis, Aston Martins, and Minis. The price –  €5,495 per person in double occupancy or €6,575 per person in single occupancy – includes accommodation in carefully selected four- and five-star hotels in France and Italy; three lunches and 10 dinners; a comprehensive Road Book with Tulip notes, maps, rally plates, information about places being visited, and recommendations of other places worth seeing; a private evening screening of The Italian Job; and guided visits to the Domaine Pommery champagne cellars, Arc-et-Senans Royal Saltworks, Museo Nazionale dell Automobile in Turin, Mont Blanc Skyway, and Matisse Museum in Le Cateau-Cambrésis.

Tour participants will be accompanied by the event organisers, including E-type Club co-founders Philip and Julie Porter in their E-type, the original Italian Job roadster, 848 CRY; a film crew and professional photographer; and a mechanic.

Philip Porter commented:

“The Ultimate Italian Job Tour is going to be amazing. It will be unique and probably the last opportunity to celebrate this iconic movie with key people from the film, combined with fantastic driving, the star cars and informed visits to most of the charismatic locations”.

To find out more about the Ultimate Italian Job Tour or reserve a place, please visit www.classicsontheroad.com

Jaguar E-type Club

Founded 15 years ago by Philip and Julie Porter, the Club has members in more than 50 countries. Porter has written 30 motoring books, including a number on Jaguars, and owns two early E-types of historical significance: the prototype registered ‘9600 HP’, which was the first Fixed Head Coupé and one of the pairs which launched the E-type at Geneva in 1961; and the roadster ‘848’ CRY, which appeared in The Italian Job. The E-type Club’s patron is Norman Dewis (OBE), who joined Jaguar in 1952 as Chief Test Driver and helped develop production and competition cars including the E-type.

Classics on the Road

Classics on the Road specialises in organising tours and events for classic and sports cars, encouraging the enjoyment of driving on unfamiliar roads and visiting new places. Classics on the Road’s precise tailoring of events includes the selection of memorable routes, hotels, restaurants, and sightseeing locations.