A PASSAGE THROUGH THE ALPS
Any excuse is a good excuse for planning a roadtrip through the Alps.
Some of the most beautiful driving roads in the world meander around the jagged peaks, the scenery is nothing short of breathtaking and the culture of the people lucky enough to call this part of the world home is one of the most enticing I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. From the beautiful cities to the hearty food there is always more to experience once your feet leave the cosyness of the car.
Our excuse for dashing from sunny Barcelona to the heights of the Italian Alps was, if we say so ourselves, a very valid one.
It was an act of justice. OK, admittedly, we didn’t descend spears in hand to repair some maleficent wrongs of the past, but we decided to do our bit to set the record straight in a matter of some importance to the story of Alfa Romeo. For this noble venture we were granted the keys to a brand new shiny Rosso Alfa compact SUV from the Milanese brand, courtesy of Alfa Romeo Spain. Packed with technology, it became our flying fortress as we eagerly ate away the miles that dare to separate us from our goal. France, with its Cote d’Azur and then the Italian Riviera were soon behind us as we reached the magic city of Brescia, home of the Mille Miglia. From there, we followed the course of the Coppa delle Alpi, a fabulous classic car competition, organised by the legendary Mille Miglia crew.
Our first day got us all the way to the chique St. Moritz, going over the Bernina pass as night was falling down. A handful of Alfas were taking part in the event, a wonderful chance for our youngster to watch and learn from its illustrious ancestors. The family resemblance was indeed beyond any doubt, with the scudetto and the trilobo defining a face that could never belong to any other brand. And it wasn’t just skin deep. The character of those Alfas shined brighter in the hardest of conditions, facing the icy roads with gusto and making short work of the inclines. The second day we returned back to Italy, with a short spell into Austria, where the competitors spent the night. We took a shortcut straight after admiring the tower on the frozen lake of Resia and we darted straight towards the Dolomites.
It was my first experience of the Dolomites and I have to honestly say that I have never seen any mountains as beautiful as these. Not even in my dreams. It was as if every car photography cheat code was activated and anything we tried just worked. A truly magical place, one that demands the utmost respect, as the weather can turn on you in no time at all and winter on a mountain is hard enough with the brightest of sunshines, let alone when it’s foggy and snowing. It was in these latter conditions that we intercepted the Coppa delle Alpi caravan again the next day, on top of Passo di Giau, at 2236 metres. As the classics lined up patiently at the start line of the timed special stage, we took positions on the surrounding rocks and we went into a shooting frenzy, safe in the knowledge that not far from us there is a leather clad interior with heated seats and heated steering wheel, that waits patiently for our fingers to freeze for good to welcome us back inside and recharge our enthusiasm. Later on, following the classics as they danced away the curves, our Alfa almost drove itself, keeping up effortlessly with the vintage supercars, all the while riding comfortably over the inevitable bumps. We spent the night in the fairy tale city of Brixen, ready for the last leg and the destination we were so eager to reach.
If you’re not Italian, or you didn't peek at the photos before you read this, the final goal is probably still a mystery to you. The clue is in the name of our Alfa. If you ever wondered where it’s got the name from, well, wonder no more. Welcome to Passo del Tonale. A spectacular passage through the Rhaetian Alps, complete with chocolate wrapper white peaks and the obligatory ski resorts. Tonale, home to our Alfa. Feeling the car sweep through the many bends and tunnels that you encounter on this road felt extra special indeed. It was home. It felt at home. The joy it was giving us was every bit as authentic as its name.
Alfa Romeo Tonale. Now you know why.
