Super Tuscans Tour 2014.
   
   
 

Picture Gallery 2.    The Tour.
   
   
   
   
  Part 3.  The Alps.   

Even before we set out from home,  this is the day we both had been really looking forward to.   

I had never driven in the Swiss Italian Alps  (although I had been a passenger when I was 16 and it was mighty impressive, not to say occasionally a little frightening)  and Joni was looking forward to this drive every bit as much as I was.   

We would make our way up to the Italian border then onto The St Gotthard Pass,  The FurkaPass (the highest pass in Switzerland) and The Grimsel Pass,  all joined end to end.

 

But first we had to leave Iseo via Brescia,  then drive past Bergamo, around Milan and Como and up to Lugano.     In fact, this was our longest driving day of the tour  -  240 miles end to end but we knew from driving in the French Alps a few years ago that this would be demanding and tiring with every mile feeling like two miles.    Had I planned this day I think it would naturally have become two days  -  the first from Iseo to Lugano,  stopping in Bergamo for Coffee, Como just to re-live it from our Honeymoon and staying the night in Lugano which is lovely and worth some time to look around.   The second day would have been the alpine run over to Lucerne with time to explore Lucerne.

As it was, we pressed on hard, not stopping until we were around Milan which was much like the M25 in the rush-hour  -  we were nose to tail for an hour before heading North.    The Blue Beauty was perfectly happy  -  The Red Beast would have overheated in 15 minutes.    

   
   
  Day  6.    Lake Iseo to Lake Lucern.

240 miles.    Staying at The Montana Art Deco Hotel.   Lucerne.     http://www.hotel-montana.ch

   
   
  We drove 150 miles or so and didn't stop for coffee until we could see the Alps in the distance.  
 
  We found a superb roadside cafe that included an amazing delicatessen.    We were tempted to make up some sandwiches for lunch but we knew there would be one of those mountain chalets at the top of one of the passes,  just right for a cool beer and something hot and cheesy.   

So, a brief stop then on our way  -  we just wanted to drive the Alps!
   
   
  Now for some fun!.

Our cameras were still in the boot as we swept onto The St Gotthard Pass but Joni captured the moment with the iPad.

This was the view through the drivers window.
 
   
 
  This was the navigators view!
   
  All the way up The St Gotthard the views were stunning.    With every right hand curve in the road we saw this:
 
  So we had to pull into the first lay-by to see it properly.    I needed my trusty camera for this one.
   
   
   
  Then, back in the car and Joni took this series of pics with the iPod through the windscreen.  Naturally the pics are full of reflections but sit back and drive with us up the FurkaPass!  

 

Firstly, the approach is a gentle easy climb.   Then up to a little village as the gradient began to increase, after which it was up, up, up to the snow-line and above.    Hold on tight!!    You have to imagine the exhaust note that goes with these pics.

 
   
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Wow!   Where did that come from.
   
   
   
  Seriously,  we got about five seconds notice that this was coming.    No Armco,  no knowledge of what is round the corner.   All your driving experience says "throttle back, don't brake  -  then push"!      Here it is again.
   
 
  I want to do it again  .... and again.    I think we will.
   
  ....................   and from inside the car it looked like this.
 

   

  What a thrill.    Pops at play.     It's what Astons are made for.
   
   
  And still up,  up,  up.
 

 

 

   
 

Until finally:

   
 
  The top of the FurkaPass.    The highest pass in Switzerland.     We loved it.
   
 
  The Aston loved it too.
   
   
 

We were really pleased that we had the iPad pics but but did you see how all those shots through the windscreen have the effect of flattening out the roads.      It is hard to get an impression of exactly where you have been and it is very difficult to get a good pic at the hairpins.  

So, here is a library photo to show exactly what the passes are really like.     This is the final climb of the St Gotthard Pass from the summit.  

   
   
 

 

The FurkaPass that you have just driven is much the same except for one important thing!      Remember this pic?

                   

 
  Not the same hairpin but here is a library photo just to show how it looks from above.    

Good thing we didn't know it at the time!
   
 

So,  let's pick up the story again, back at the top of the FurkaPass.
   
 
  It was quite cold up there.     Memories we shall not forget
   
 
  ....   and windy too!
   
   
 
  Looking over the edge, from where I am standing,  we can see for the first time our descent on The FurkaPass (starting top right then across to the left) into the valley below and the climb into the distance up The Grimsel Pass and yet more snow-covered peaks.
   
  Just to the right of this pic, we could see a Chalet.    Time for lunch  -  time for a beer!
 
   
 
  Who better to sample the local brew than with Phil and Mary Goacher,   Brewers of Goacher's Ale in Maidstone.
 
  and "Ricardo" , Helen and Di.    We all plumped for the Croq Monsieur
   
  Then it was time for the second stint.      Down the FurkaPass,  up The Grimsel Pass and across to Lucerne.
 
  It was just like a ski-jump.   Out of the car park and plunge round and down and down and down.
   
 
  Then off to the left, down the long straight and into the village in the valley before climbing The Grimsel Pass.
   
 
  But the climb was worth it.    Our morning drive had brought us across the Alps.    From Italy, in the far, far distance,  over and round these mountains to Switzerland.    A fabulous drive in stunning and exhilarating terrain.
   
 
  Spectacular scenery all the way and, in my opinion, the most beautiful Aston of all time!   I wonder what it would have been like in an open-top  V12!!!!! *%$  ££££££££.
   
 
  Beginning to leave the Alps behind.    From here on it would flatten out into Heidi country.
   
 
  On the flat again, and the sound of very loud cow bells.                                                         
   
 

  

  Graceful, gentle creatures but the bells were deafening.    Such an amazing colour.
   
 
  Then a picturesque drive to Lucerne.
   
  The Montana Art Deco Hotel in Lucerne is renown but it was even better than we had expected.   It had been an exhilarating day and this was just the place to unwind.    Fantastic decor and furniture everywhere -  our room was perfect for a cup of tea on our balcony looking over Lake Lucerne.
   
 
   
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
  ....  and by Dinner time, the sun was just beginning to set.   Magical.
   
 
  Rounding-off a wonderful, exhilarating day with a fabulous meal, excellent company and just a little jazz.
   
 
  Next morning, open the shutters, take in the view then a leisurely breakfast before heading back to France.
   
   
 

Tuscany.          The Italian Lakes.          The Alps.            Back into France.