Thanx to all for the tips/suggestions. We managed to survive >1700km on
the
various roadways & autostradi of both Italy & Switzerland. The Swiss are
aggressive drivers; Italians are downright confrontational! I must also
say
that a Mercedes Benz B200 is woefully underpowered (I'm used to a C55
daily
driver) as it could only manage 176kph (was dusted-off by many BMWs,
Porches, Volvos, etc.). I learned quickly to avoid the left lane (or at
least minimize my time in it). Was also a little dissappointed in speding
~75 euros for <400 miles of autostrada in addition to $8.00/gal gas!!!
The
weak dollar really sucks.
Portofino was stunning. Wish I'd planned to stay the night. March is
definitely the time to visit as it was mostly deserted.
Pisa is someplace that one must go once to check it off of the "list".
Doubtful I'll return as it reminded me much of border towns back here in
Texas. Beautiful architecture, though.
Spent several hours in Lucca. Definitely a place I'd like to visit again
(as well as Sienna & Florence seeing as we didn't make it there this
trip).
Maranello is "mecca"! I highly recommend anyone planning a visit to book
a
room in the Planet Hotel. We had a 5th floor penthouse suite overlooking
the factory entrance! I believe we wore out the sliding glass door
continually going back out onto the patio just to stare in awe. The
factory
tour is near the top ways I can think of to spend two hours. I was ready
to
submit my resume until I learned employees aren't allowed to be owners!
There went my dream of driving my 360 to work everyday...
James
"Paul Duffin" <someone@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:E8Yzj.414729$ST4.193786@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> "James" <giallo355@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote
>
>> doing a driving tour of the Italian Riviera with brief stops in Pisa on
>> the way to Lucca. Planning on visiting Siena on the way to Modena.
Also
>> have scheduled a factory tour in Maranello (aka, "mecca"). Any
>> suggestions for "must see" places in / around the factory? Things to
>> avoid?
>
> Well, the Italian Riviera for a start. No, that was too cruel, but
beware
> of endless uniform towns separated from the sea by the railway
> (frequently) or under the raised sections of the Autostrada
(occasional).
> Having said that, there are some nice bits (Portofino is worth a look,
if
> you can 'get in' http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/portofino.html
- parking
is,
> as we say over here, a bit of a bugger.)
>
> Sienna is an excellent option, other than that stick to the hills. The
> area SouthWest of Maranello and surrounds are beautiful, but the rest of
> the compass points to largely flat and in some places between Modena and
> Maranello are quite slummy and industrial.Firenze (Forence) is stunning,
> if you can that far - and the drive down from Maranello is nice if you
go
> that way. Bologna is also quite beautiful in parts. The thing to
remember
> about about most major Italian towns is that the outlying areas are
often
> highly uninspiring - 'if in doubt, head for the cathedral' is a pretty
> safe rule.
>
>> Let's hope I survive my driving tour of southern Europe. My last
>> expedition on Scotland's roadways was just about the end of me!
>
> Uh oh. The Italians are on a different plane entirely...
>
> -Paul
> (part Italian. Possibly. Especially on the autostradi in the red car)
> --
> http://www.mc-pd.co.uk/
> Vanity, vanity, vanity.... oh, and some a.a.f. stuff.
> Now including the 'Toys' page. Send me your pics!
>
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