Sunday 22nd September

The Trans Italia crews are on their way. Driving through the UK to reach the channel tunnel or ferry crossing the crews will cross into France on the Monday 23rd before aiming for Reims, the start of the tour. See the route below.

Monday 23rd September

All crews arrived in Reims.  Some had arrived on Sunday 22nd so took time to take in the sights of the old town. Those  crossing the channel today met up at the hotel for the start 'gala dinner' before enjoying the warm evening outside with a cool beer. Tomorrow will take the group on their way to Mulhouse, some 262 miles away, near the border with Germany.

Tuesday 24th September

All cars plated up and ready to roll. Today's route of 260 miles headed south east out of Reims, into champagne country, to Chalons-Sur-Marne and on to Saint Dizier, Nancy, and Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, signalling the first of the alpine climbs as crews headed south on the Route des Cretes which once fromed the border between France and Germany when Alsace was part of Germany. Most of the route is some 950m high with the Col du Grand Ballon topping ouit at 1343m, offering great views of the surrounding countryside. Overnight is in Mulhouse where as you see we sent a toast to all the readers. . 

Tomorrow we visit the famous Cite de l’Automobile, housing the Schlumpf Collection of Bugatti's. Its not too far from our Hotel.

Wednesday 25th September

A visit to the Cite de l’Automobile and the Schlumpf collection gave the opportunity to see one of the finest line up of Bugatti's in one place. 

It was then time to head for the German border on the way to Bregenz in Austria, some 190 miles. A shorter drive today but through some magnificent countryside. Touring throu the Black Forest across the granite and sandstone mountains of Baden-Württemberg in south-west Germany. The Black Forest stretches north from Basel in Switzerland for about 160km to Pforzheim, and was the setting for many of Grimm's fairy tales. Our first stage took us to Tuttlingen. Pushing east then south toward Lindau brought us to the Bodensee, and a short drive round the coast to our overnight in Bregenz. Weather still great as you can see by the shorts, enjoying a cool beer. 

Thursday 26th September

Another short stint of 154 miles heading east toward Innsbruck. The crews headed over the border back into Germany, passing through Bavaria, which shares international borders with Austria and the Czech Republic as well as with Switzerland (acrossLake Constance). Because all of these countries are part of the Schengen Area, the border is completely open. The sunny weather  clouded over with a few showers. but it all cleared as we headed east. 

High on the stop points was Oberammergau, famous for the Passion Play, first performed in 1634 and performed every ten years, when the year ends in a zero. So not being performed when the Trans Italia arrived ! But the skies had cleared as you see in the photos

After taking in the atmosphere of the town it was time to head south back to the border with Austria and the overnight stop at Innsbruck.  

Friday will take the crews across the Brenner Pass into Italy and Brescia fo the start of the Mille Miglia section of the tour.

Friday 27th September

Time to head south for Italy and the Mille Miglia start point Brescia, just over 200 miles away. Leaving Innsbruck in heavy rain the crews faced a climb to the Brenner Pass of some 900 metres to reach the peak at 1370m, see the diagram. Slight delay as the chosen route out of Germany was closed for resurfacing forcing a short hop on the autobahn to get round it. Fabulous roads, and greatly improving weather, on the Italian side of the Pass, which then headed  over the southern Tyrolean alpine Jaufenpass, Passo Giovo at just over 2000m. Photo of the crews at the top of the pass. The locals in this area speak both German and Italian. 

The route continued south to Merano and Fondo before reaching Lake Garda. A choice was offered to take the lakeside route, which tends to be busy or stay on the SS237 and drive straight into Brescia. 

Satruday heralds the Prima Tappa (First Stage) of the Mille Miglia route of 1955.

To follow the tour of the Mille Miglia route Click HERE

Ceckout the final part of the tour  - The Nuit du Mentonnais   HERE