Grand Tour

"Any comments?" 1. Zzzzzz. 2. Weird. 3. Hopefully, that's just the slow route to the Macau Tower bungee jump.

Thanks to all, even the bozo in the first inning. Thanks. I have the AA Back Roads book and many, many tourbooks, and three British TV shows about the Grand Tour including one by Francesco DaMosto. It is a little double secret dream of mine to drive the back roads in Reggio E and Tuscany, Piedmonte and stay off the Autostradas. Maybe it will not work, maybe it will. I have very fond memories of getting "lost" (because I am never lost) in Veneto and Fruili and I really want to see certain things I've missed previously. We drive to Italy most years, from England, and I always enjoy it. Now we need more Modena, Cremona, Parma, Torino, Radicofani, Bomarzo and such. We have a little over 3 weeks.

Take a look at DK's "Back Roads Italy" for up-to-date info on driving tours. That should give you a better idea of what you'll see along the way.

Nigel, have you read "Italy and the Grand Tour" by Jeremy Black? It sounds like an interesting read for your trip. I think your idea is a fabulous one and I hope you blog it or at least do a trip report here when you return. How many days are you giving yourself?

Nigel, I can't offer any comments on a "Grand Tour" but it sounds like an interesting trip! Of course you'll have to use an open-top vehicle and wear a long white scarf and WW-I vintage aviators Goggles. Be sure to post a report when you get back. Cheers!

"Modena, Cremona, Parma, Torino" I have been to these places and enjoyed them. In Cremona, there were two regional specialty foods that were memorable, for different reasons. One was donkey stew; this tasted OK, but was not worth ordering twice. The other was a pasta stuffed with pumpkin; it was DELICIOUS and I'd have it again in a minute (I joked that it was so sweet that it was a "dessert pasta," like a dessert wine). And a delicious dessert in Torino was a bonet, which is like a chocolate creme caramel. I don't remember specific foods in the other two, but Parma is certainly famous for its cuisine. So, whatever else, you can certainly eat very well on this trip. You might want to look at the Slow Food Italy guide and Fred Plotkin's Italy For The Gourmet Traveler; that's where we found a lot of good restaurants in these cities.

Reminds me of a wonderful series of videos I saw on the BBC. Francesco's Italy Tip to Toe. Francesco drives a red Fiat from north to the tip of the toe and shares is travel sites, adventures, and lots of info. The videos are for sale on Amazon and I believe that some are avail to view for free on the internet. Just search for Francesco's Italy Tip to Toe.
I really enjoyed these videos.

Comments? Jealous much. Oh, I nearly spewed wine into my keyboard because of "Thanks to all, even the bozo in the first inning", but luckily I'm using my iPad ;-) If you need a navigator...you've got my email address.

During the summer there's a weekend TV show called "Road Italy". A tour of specific regions, lots of back roads. You may be able to find episodes on the net somewhere.

It's simply not a Grand Tour excursion if you neglect to visit Rome of Pompeii. You need to wax poetic among the ruins!

Nigel, Sono geloso! Will await your trip report as I have a desire to drive the back roads one day too. Should you get to Rome, we'd love to see you again!
Laurel

Yes, we're getting chuffed about this adventure. Having spent many years driving the Caliche back roads of central and north Texas with clouds of dust behind I may find I tire of the thrill but I hope not. This trip will probably be at the end of June into July and because I love heat and warmth and sunshine but dislike overly hot we will be in the cruise-controlled, sunroofed, air-conditioned, diesel Honda Accord with the row of Vignettes across the windscreen - rather than Francesco's little red Alfa convertible with the blue water filled mirror dolphin. Gotta have some comfort. Then again, if we find a nice original Fiat 500 or 600 along the way I'll have to drive that back home while my wife suffers with the air con. ;-{ Laurel, I can taste dar Poeta from here - ;-}} The great thing about a car with a large kofferbak, boot, trunk is plenty of guidebooks can fit inside!! Harold keep coming with the special foodies....

Nigel, that sounds great! I like Ken's idea of the goggles and white scarf.. perhaps you can have an old fashioned bi-plane pick you up for the return home, a la 'Out of Africa' style. ;). Harold, I'm inviting you to Boston's North End this fall. In some of the Italian restaurants, you can find some yummy pumpkin ravioli each fall! Yum! I'm salivating just thinking about it. Edit: Nigel you're invited too!

Are you taking your tutor with?