The third day of the Italian Job Tour dawned sunny and warm, and proceeded to get warmer. We are now in Beaune, in France’s Burgundy (Bourgogne) region, where it’s a very pleasant 28C.
We started the day with a visist back at Pol Roger on the Avenue de Champagne in Epernay. This Champagne house is not open to the public so we were very honoured to be able to visit. This was all thanks to Nick James, Pol Roger UK MD and E-type owner – thanks Nick.
We toured the extensive cellars, and learned about the creation and production of fine Champagne, followed by a visit to the bottling and labelling section. We finished with a tasting of the Brut Reservee in magnums – as served for the recent royal wedding of the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge. And for those of you wondering about the title of yesterday’s post, Pol Roger was the favourite sparkling beveredge of Sir Winston Churchill.
We have then driven 195 miles through the sunny French countryside to Beaune, where we are staying at the fabulous Hotel Le Cep. We’re looking forward to a gourmet dinner tonight in the restaurant, before heading on to Geneva tomorrow.
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Day two of the Italian Job Tour started well with everyone heading off on Bob Berry’s orginal route from 1961 driving past various WW1 & WW2 battlefields. Three lucky E-types were accosted by a friendly local who invited them to view his collection of classic and vintage cars at his nearby chateau, which included an original Jaguar D-type that he raced at Le Mans!
Most people had lunch in Laon, a lovely hilltop town with medieval centre, before heading on to Reims and then Epernay, where we’re now staying. We’ve just enjoyed the most fabulous dinner at the famous Pol Roger Champagne house, with aperitifs and fabulous food al fresco on the lawns. Our host, Patrice, manager of Pol Roger, gave us three Champagnes: Pol Roger Brut, 2000 vintage , and topped of with Winston Churchill Cuvee from 1999, which were all divine. We also enjoyed some delicious red wine from Beaune. An incredibly special and privileged evening to celebrate our tour and the E-type .
Tomorrow morning we have a cellar tour and tasting back at Pol Roger, which will be in tomorrow’s report.
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We’ve all arrived at the beautiful Chateau Tilques and it is the most stunning evening. Just a perfect start to the tour. Most people have spent the last few hours on the terrce or in the garden enjoying their first French beers. The first day has not been without its problems however. Lex and Donna Bernstein, who’ve shipped their car over from Idaho, broke down about 40 miles from Dover with fuel pump problems. But they caught a later ferry and our trusty mechanics have fitted a new pump, so all sorted.
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News & Offers | VSCC
Click here to read an article that’s about to come out in Top Marques magazine about Classic Travelling and classic car tours.
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It is just five days to go until the start of the long-awaited Italian Job Tour, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the E-type. The final arrangements have been put in place, the cars are getting ready and packing has started. We will be adding news and photos on a (hopefully) daily basis. So stay tuned…
Our first night is at the lovely Chateau Tilques, just a hop and a skip from Calais.
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We’d like to thank Rozalex for generously giving us a bottle of their barrier cream for every participant on the Italian Job Tour. Thank you!
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Just ten days to to go until the Italian Job Tour. Tour packs sent, and everything ready for E-types from the UK, Ireland, France, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, America, South Africa and Australia to drive to Geneva and then Italy.
www.classictravelling.co.uk/e50ij
We shall be posting all the news and photos from the tour here. So stay tuned…
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Classic Travelling takes away the hassle and guesswork from a touring holiday. Your free time is precious and so you want to know that you will be driving the best roads in the area, staying at charming hotels, and that your car will have suitable parking each night. You want to know what there is to do, see and visit on each day of your trip, without having to do hours of research, or missing anything of interest.
The tour is organised, but you aren’t. This is no regimental exercise and you are free to spend your days as you wish, at your own pace, doing exactly want you want. All we ask is that you arrive at the accommodation we have booked on your behalf each evening.
We provide you with a tour book to help you make the most of your trip. This book contains your route directions and maps, accommodation information, and describes everything we think may be of interest to you, that you will be passing by each day. The tour book also gives you a little bit of history to the area, and may include some little anecdotes or stories about the places you are passing through. The idea of the book is to help you have all the information you need in just one place, and not be cluttered with various guide books, leaflets and maps.
For any questions or queries have a look at the FAQ page, or the Useful Information page
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News & Offers
We have teamed up with Hillsalive, makers of fabulous fitted luggage for your classic car, to offer 10% discount on luggage for those of you who book on a Classic Travelling tour.
As many of you know, packing for a trip in your classic car is no easy affair. Fortunately the good people at Hillsalive have created an easier solution for owners of a variety of classic cars. A bespoke luggage system tailored to fit your car perfectly and maximise the space available.
Stiff sides protect your contents whilst the durable material is complemented by a rugged, full-width handle-strap that enables you to easily load, remove and carry your cases.
When it comes to a journey in your classic, Hillsalive cases are the obvious choice.
Luggage is currently available for Morgans, Jaguars, Lotus, Porsches, Triumph, with the range constantly expanding. For more information see www.hillsalive.co.uk or call 07980 574070.
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Can you remember Rozalex Barrier Cream?
Rozalex was the product that all home mechanics, car enthusiasts and aviation engineers used to protect their hands from the ravages of those endless days under the car or even manufacturing aeroplanes. Used since the 1920’s its highly likely your car was made and maintained by workers using this product.
The product range still exists and the new owners are now giving it a new lease of life. The brand is supplied to British industry and does a brisk trade, however Andrew Dean and Nick Angel, a pair of confirmed classic car enthusiasts, would like to see it being used again by classic car owners again.
Rozalex is a range of products which help protect the hands. There are barrier creams which protect the hands against oil, solvents, paint, water/solvent mixes and general grime. The cream repels and blocks contaminants, making it easier to clean up. Cleansers, which are like the green stuff – but better, and a reconditioning cream which ensures when you get back home your hands are moisturized and supple.
For more information please check out www.rozalex.co.uk
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US-originated specialist classic car insurer Hagerty International is a refreshing addition to the classic insurance scene with rare flexibility on insuring visiting foreign drivers on its policies.
Now Hagerty has enhanced its standard policies further by adding Breakdown and Recovery Insurance throughout the UK, with reduced premiums for European breakdown cover. Roadside assistance and recovery to the client’s home (or repairer of choice in certain circumstances) are all part of the package.
For further information and quotations, contact Hagerty International on 08700 420220, or check out the website www.hagertyinsurance.co.uk.
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Classic Travelling was established in 2003 and offers motoring holidays for classic, vintage and sports cars. The founder of the business, Sarah Dowding, has extensive experience of touring and motoring, having driven well in excess of 250,000 miles over the finest roads in Europe, North America, and southern Africa. 