Category: Okategoriserade

Today we decided to explore Lago Iseo, 30 min drive north of Brescia. It turned out to be a beautiful little lake. Much less busy than Lago di Garda. We managed to stay on the coastsl road for most of the time. We did one wrong turn where we ended up in a tunnel. But managed to get back down to the shore via some very narrow roads. The F-Type isn’t built for old Italian towns.

We had a wonderful lunch in Predore. The best food and service so far on this tour. Grilled sea bass with vegetables, liquorice tiramisu and cappuchino. My wife had Tangerin sorbet with vodka(!) as dessert instead of tiramisu. So, if you are in the area, go and visit Il Gabbiano in Predore. There is a good parking area not far away, next to SS469.

On the way back to Brescia we took the oportunity to wash the car. It was more a grey cat than a black cat. Tomorrow we’ll head north again, stopping in Garmisch- Partenkirchen.

Today, most of us have been exploring Brescia. One couple drove down to the Ferrari museum in Maranello. All other started the day by visiting the Mille Miglia outlet in Franciacorta. After this we drove inte the center of Brescia. We managed to find a garage with a ramp that worked with the F-Type. Still a bit exciting to drive into since it’s impossible to see what’s in front of you with the long bonnet anf low seat position.

We visited the castle back in 2015. But went back there again today. It is worth a visit just because of the views. We also visited one of the museums there. The armoury is on top of the castle and it was rather warm today. So we were the only visitors there. Lots of armor from 15th to 18th century. It’s good to see that they continue to restore the castle.

We then went down the hill and had lunch at a small restaurant. Pasta with black truffle, which was very good. After that, we walked around the city center and did some shopping. It works well even if we don’t speak italian and the italians don’t speak english (or swedish…). Tonight we’ll have dinner at the hotel.

After two nights in Cortina d’Ampezzo we now move on to Brescia. The group had different preferences so we all drove there on our own. Or in smaller groups of 2-3 cars. Some took the opportunity to add some more passes to the list. We ourself took aim at Riva del Garda. The plan was to have lunch there. We drove 304 km today.

On the way to Riva del Garda we got fooled by the GPS. So, we ended up at the toll road towards Brennerpaß. But we managed to get off that and back on track towards Riva del Garda. Last time we visited this area was in 2015. Then we used a garage in Riva del Garda next to the SS45bis road. So, we set out looking for that again. It was still there and had available spaces when we arrived. We had lunch at one of the restaurants in the harbour with a great view of the lake.

The road from Riva del Garda towards Brescia was very busy. Most scary are the cyclists that cycle in the tunnels in dark clothes and no lights on their bikes. What’s wrong with these people? We had planned to get off the main road and go over the mountains. But once more the GPS played us some tricks. So we ended up taking another route which was quicker but less scenic.

Since the hotel restaurant was closed today. We got a recommendation to go to nearby Osteria Vallebtesciana. It turned out to be very good. Well worth visiting if you are in the area.

Today it was time to explore the Dolomites. The sky was blue when we woke up. After breakfast, 5 of us in the group took off to Forte Tre Sassi. It’s an old fort from WW1, just 30 minutes drive from Cortina d’Ampezzo. Today it’s a museum dedicated to the fighting in the Dolomites between Italy and Austria during WW1. It’s a well presented museum worth visiting. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take photos inside the museum. So, you’ll only find exterior photos here.

After Forte Tre Sassi, we drove to Passo delle Erbe for lunch. Our guide for today, Martin, usually stay at the hotel there when he and his friends visit the Dolomites. The roads from Passo di Falzarego was very beautiful. So was the views from the terass at Utia de Börz.

After the lunch we continued to Passo Giau. Yet more stunning views at the pass and fun serpentine roads on the way to and from the pass. From Passo Giau it’s only 30 minutes drive to Cortina d’Ampezzo.

In the evening we all went out for dinner. The food was ok but the service a complete disaster. I thought my wife would blow a fuse. So, we can’t recommed ”Bierstube FORST”. Go somewhere else! Such as ”LP26” across the square.

In total we drove 122 km today. Roof was down all day 👍

Today we set off rather early in order to get to Cortina d’Ampezzo in time. We had planned to go via Großglockner and Großglockner High Alpine Road. But the weather forecast showed heavy rain through the day. So, we wouldn’t have seen much. Thus we decided to go directly to Cortina. Some of the party went via Innsbruck. But we drove via Lienz instead. Once we got to the Italian side, the sun came out and the roof ment down. While still in Austria, we found a car wash which was well needed.

Driving today was generally good. Since it was Sunday, there were no lorries on the road in Germany or Austria. We once again had some serious rain while on the Autobahn. In total, we drove 486 km today.

Parking facilities at the hotel was disapointing. It turned out that the garage was only accessable via a very narrow ramp down to the basement. So, I ended up scratching one wheel while trying to avoid scraping the front against the wall. The only other option was an outdoor parking area. Not something we fancy in a city with a softtop.

We ended the day at a local restaurang where we finally got to meet the whole group.

We started the day with s decent breakfast at Holiday Inn in Leipzig. Not as good as the previous morning in Berlin. But still ok. The sun was shining in the morning, so the roof went down. The primary destination for the day was the DDR Grenzbahnhof museum in Probstzella. But they only opened at 13:00 according to thrir website. So, we decided to first go to Jena and the Planetarium there, which had got good reviews. We drove on some nice roads from Leipzig to Jena. Once there, it turned out that the next show was targeted at children. Well, you are not older than you feel. So, we got to hear and watch a story by the Grimm brothers about the Moon 😸

After Jens (and some issues getting out of the garage), we drove to Probstzella. Some more great roads on the way. We didn’t expect to find serpentine roads in this region. But there are some really good ones here! Once we got to Probstzella, the museum was closed due to ”rebuilding”. We didn’t see any information about this on the website, which was rather annoying to say the least. We tried to find somewhere to eat lunch in the village. But everything was closed. The hotel that once was there would make a great scenery for a horror movie.

With the help of Google, we found a restaurant in a nearby village called Lauenstein, that was really good. After this, we set off towards the hotel for the night. Apple Maps took us on some really nice roads through the mountains. Once we got to the Autobahn, the sky opened up once more. But we made it to the hotel, where we met up with our German friends Martin and Rene.

Today we drove 325 km. From Leipzig to Jena. Then to Probstzella, and finally to Osternohe.

Second day of our grand tour. The weather had improved a lot since yesterday. After breakfast we set off towards Potsdam. On the way we passed over Glienicker Brücke. Known from the Cold war era and spy exchanges. Most recently the movie ’Bridge of Spies’.

We struggled a bit to find the parking area near Sansoucci castle. But we got there together with one of our friends. We went for a tour of the castle with audio book. It’s a fascinating history from a by gone era. Beatuiful building as well, including the garden. After this we went for a walk in the park. Behind the ”new castle”, we found a café. Café Caroline, which should be avoided at all cost. After a very disapointing lunch with non-existing service, we drove to nearby Cecilienhof. This was the location of the Potsdam conference. Which ended the 2nd World War in Eutope. And effectively started the Cold War.

We then drove to Leipzig for our second night in Germany. The hotel, Holiday Inn Leipzig, is situated in the outskirts of Leipzig. Thus we decided to eat dinner at the hotel. It turned out to be a decent meal and also very cheap.

Today we drove a lot shorter distance. Although we managed to get stuck in stau on the way to Leipzig. 40 km from the hotel to Potsdam and then 159 km yo Leipzig.

Finally, the grand tour that has been planned since late 2019 is coming through! September 8 is the first day, primarily transit to Berlin. Due to bad weather in the Baltic sea, the ferry we had booked got cancelled. This cancellation came yesterday, which caused a lot of confusion and extra planning. So, the group ended up taking different alternative routes to Berlin. All in all it was a long day for most of us.

842 km from Åkersberga to Rødby, 45 min on the ferry followed by 371 km from Puttgarden to Berlin. We start just after 02:00 in thd morning and arrived at the hotel in Berlin just aft 17:00 in the early evening.

2020 didn’t happen, nor did 2021 for obvious reasons. But finally we are soon on the road again. In September we head for the Dolomites and the Alps. Together with 20 other cars we’ll take on Germany, Austria and Italy. With the focus on Italy. Do stay tuned for some exciting weeks in September!