Topic: Now THIS Is A Road Trip!

[MG]

Next month, I am allowing myself some time off to go do something I really, really want to do. I am going to Europe for 2 weeks, splitting my time between Annecy, France and Tuscany in Italy, where AutoPuzzles member Paul Jaray will be helping me absorb the local culture. In between, I will be driving some cheapo rental car over some of the most scenic roads in  existence. Sounds like too much fun! 

Is it logical to commit to spending 2 weeks in the company of people I have never met? In the age of internet fraud and nefarious dealings, many would counsel against it. But I have "known" these fellows through online communications for years and so I feel comfortable doing this. Over the years, I have met quite a few of my fellow car enthusiast and enjoyed some memorable moments doing so.

Here's the point. I have wanted to visit this part of the world ever since reading A Year In Provence and Under The Tuscan Sun. But I don't have the resources to stay in fancy hotels in Monaco and so forth, nor do I care for packaged tours. I prefer to just wander about and see where fate and winding roads take me. Having these two online friends allows me to have two anchors for my trip with free time for independent noodling around in between. If I didn't know these guys, I would probably never go.

I am flying in to Geneva on Sept. 10 and winging back out from there on Sept. 26. If you want to join in the fun, let me know!   

[DeAutogids]

That sounds quite cool! I believe I am in Bavaria, Germany, around that time.

[Paul Jaray]

We can organize an 'European Autopuzzles Meeting'....

[woodinsight]

Sounds interesting - I am located in southern France close to the Italian border - it would be great to meet up.

[Paul Jaray]

Great!
Why don't we plan a roadbook?
My work is organized in shifts and I'm free 3 days on 5 (with slight changes from time to time...) but I can't leave my area because I'm facing different ...events... that require my presence at home...
If you all want to visit Tuscany, I'll be glad to find cool places to see and  if I'm free, I'll be happy to join and see Siena, Florence, San Gimignano, the Chianti area, San Galgano, Monteriggioni, Castiglione della Pescaia, San Gimignano, San Casciano.....only the time will be a limit!

[woodinsight]

Perhaps it's possible between MG's schedule Sept. 10 to 28th.
I have a few commitments around that time but anything is possible.
It's not that far for me to drive down to Tuscany.
Anyway keep me informed on your plans/availability/etc. and I will do likewise.

[MG]

Would absolutely love to add more people to the mix. I am planning to be in the Tuscany area from Sept 14 to Sept 21 or 22.  Actually, I am planning to GET to Tuscany by driving through Provence and along the Mediterranean coast over to Genova and then south. So, woodinsight, if you want to meet up near your home and then travel together from there, I would look forward to doing that. I'm even happy to drive you home again on the way back to Annecy.

[Stephen M]

Is it logical to commit to spending 2 weeks in the company of people I have never met?

Yes. Absolutely. My admittedly limited experience with such things has been overwhelmingly positive. And as you said yourself, it's a trip you've always wanted to do that you wouldn't otherwise be doing if not for them. Just remember to buy them an extra round here and there. 

[knightfan26917]

Is it logical to commit to spending 2 weeks in the company of people I have never met?

Yes. Absolutely. My admittedly limited experience with such things has been overwhelmingly positive.

MG, you have to ask?

As with Stephen, my experience in such endeavors has been ALL positive ... and I highly recommend it.

The only "negatives" I've experienced ... is not having the opportunity to meet people in person, especially when I'm in their area....


I, of course, expect lots of pictures of this trip!



Cort | 36.m.IL | 5 Monte Carlos.1 Caprice Classic | pig valve.pacemaker * Rt 66+northwestUS, 2011?
MCs.CC | models.HO.legos.CHD.RadioShows | RoadTrips.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Push the pedal down watch the world around fly by us" ... Mat Kearney ... 'Nothing Left To Lose'

[MG]

Things are moving forward. The airline passage has been booked, car arrangements made and I have found a delightful pied a terre in Tuscany to rest my weary bones. Alex and Paul have sent me lists of "things to do" in their respective areas that make me wish I had another 2 weeks for all this - or two months!! I think the hardest part of the journey will be not trying to squeeze too much into a short period of time and leaving plenty of room in the  days to just sit and absorb the wonder of the places I will be visiting.

I'm not much of an organized tour kind of guy and I tend to stay away from fancy hotels. I'd rather chat with the waitstaff and the people next to me in a small ristorante and maybe meet the chef. Travel for me is all about meeting the people who live there. 

[MG]

AP member Woodinsight has joined the fun and indicated an interest in getting together during the trip as well, if his schedule permits. He lives near Cannes, an area that I would love to experience, even if it's just for a night!   

[MG]

For any who are interested, I will be reporting on my adventures at my blog: www.rhodetrips.blogspot.com.

And now, I'm off to the airport!   

At least the French and the Italians know which side of the road to drive on!   

[MG]

I was a little slow getting the blog up to date. But it is now.

I am sitting in a centuries old farmhouse in Tuscany, eating some local prosciutto and asiago cheese on crust Tuscan bread.  Yummmm. It doesn't get any better than that! 

It's about 90 degrees F here with a brilliant blue sky. No wonder folks like it here. 

Tomorrow, Paul Jaray is meeting me at 9 am and we are going off on a jaunt through Tuscano and Chianti. Saturday there is a mini-Mille Miglia about 20 miles up the road in Siena. Paul has to work this weekend, so I promised him I would take lots of pictures for him. And for you!

I have uploaded over 300 photos so far. Not bad for four days sightseeing and one day travelling, eh?

Check out the blog. It's all there.   

[Paul Jaray]

As I told you, you are a lucky man...the mini-Mille Miglia is quite a big event with more than 300 cars (322 this year)

 ( http://www.gpnuvolari.it/eng/competitor-list.asp ) I wish I could be there....

[MG]

Well, Paul, actually you WERE there, in the person of me. I stationed myself right at the checkpoint across from Il Campo and took photos for over 3 hours - 333 pictures in all!  In fact, they are being uploaded as I post this so you can access them. Uploading 333 high quality photos over a dial-up connection is quite a project. But my computer says there are less than 2 hours left!!!!  

And lads, let me tell you what a kind, considerate and fun loving person Paul Jaray is. And check out what he showed up in for our tour of Tuscany in the attachment  below. Wheeee!  I am frankly overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of the people I have met on this trip. It has a way of restoring your faith in mankind. It really does.

As it turns out, I will be spending Wednesday evening in Cannes, at the invitation of WoodInsight. I am looking forward to that, let me tell you. That is even cooler than "loading the Bonny with the boards inside and heading out singing our song"!!!  

Hope you are following along on the blog. This has been one helluva trip and it's not even over yet.  

[MG]

Spent the day yesterday in Cannes in the company of Malcolm Wood, who is a gracious host and knowledgeable on a wide range of topics. His collection of books is massive. And very impressive.

I drove across the French Alps today. Oh, my!    What an adventure THAT is! Something everyone should do at least once in a lifetime.

Pictures will be up tomorrow.