Francesco Barontini from the Italian Chapter of YPO organizes the YPO Supercar trips. These are a 5-night, 6-day driving extravaganza for 20 couples. The format is to rotate through 20 Italian supercars—mostly Ferraris and Lamborghinis, with a few other random fast cars. We stay in world-class hotels, and I have a list of all hotels, resorts, and restaurants we have visited, as well as other historic UNESCO sites, etc. These trips have been an exciting way to drive fast cars, sleep well, dine well, make new friends, and become culturally enriched. Over the past 7 years, I’ve taken 6 trips; this was the first that would inform my driving skills, knowledge, and appreciation of Italy, and help me make new friends.
Event Program Slides
Ready for our first day of driving.
Itinerary
Event chair Francesco Barontini, 6–11 October 2018, from Monte Carlo to Bologna.
Day 1 · Saturday 6 October · Monte Carlo
Guests arrived at Nice airport or railway station for a private car to Monte Carlo and the SBM Hotel Hermitage, with a cocktail and briefing at the hotel and dinner on the hotel terrace.
Day 2 · Sunday 7 October · Monte Carlo to Portofino
Briefing with the supercar technicians and delivery of the cars, then a drive through the French Riviera and the Maritime Alps and across the border by the Col di Tenda pass. Truffle lunch at Ciau del Tornavento near Alba, a visit to the Giorgio Schön car collection and Mila Schön fashion collection in Monferrato, then on to Portofino and the Belmond Hotel Splendido, with dinner in a private villa.
Day 3 · Monday 8 October · Portofino to San Casciano Val di Pesa
Along the Italian Riviera to Cinque Terre for a coffee break in Vernazza, lunch on the beach in Forte dei Marmi, a bicycle tour of the centre of Lucca, and the Tuscan countryside to Villa Mangiacane in the Chianti region.
Day 4 · Tuesday 9 October · to Modena
The Pagani factory and a meeting with its founder Horacio Pagani, lunch in Sant’Agata Bolognese, and an afternoon private visit to the Lamborghini factory with its president Stefano Domenicali. Then the Milano Palace Hotel in Modena, the return of the supercars, and a private visit and dinner at the Museo Enzo Ferrari.
Day 5 · Wednesday 10 October · Modena to Bologna
By private coach to Carrozzeria Imperiale, where the Lamborghini chassis are painted, then the Autodromo di Modena for the race track driving experience and lunch at the track, with an optional Food Lovers’ Experience for spouses. Evening at the Grand Hotel Majestic in Bologna and the farewell gala dinner at Palazzo Isolani.
Day 6 · Thursday 11 October
Optional activities and departures.
Supercars
Lamborghini Aventador Roadster S, Huracán and Huracán Roadster, Ferrari GTC4 Lusso, F12 Berlinetta, 488 and 488 Spyder, California T, Aston Martin DB11 Spyder, and McLaren 720 and 570 Spyder.
La Ciau del Tournavento
Le Cave – This restaurant had one of the largest and most expansive wine cellars I have ever seen. The bottles of fine Italian wines, Château d’Yquem, and others were absolutely stunning.
Le Cave – This restaurant had one of the largest and most expansive wine cellars I have ever seen. The bottles of fine Italian wines, Château d’Yquem, and others were absolutely stunning.
2018-10-07
La Ciau del Tournavento
Le Cave – This restaurant had one of the largest and most expansive wine cellars I have ever seen. The bottles of fine Italian wines, Château d’Yquem, and others were absolutely stunning.
Le Cave – This restaurant had one of the largest and most expansive wine cellars I have ever seen. The bottles of fine Italian wines, Château d’Yquem, and others were absolutely stunning.
Italy · Portofino · Piazza Martiri dell’Olivetta
After a long day of driving and a long traffic delay in Genoa, we finally arrived in Portofino.
2018-10-08
Italy · Portofino · Viale Baratta
Italy · Vernazza · Via Roma
We were the first cars permitted in Vernazza in over 50 years!
Italy · Forte dei Marmi · Via Lungomare
Italy · Lucca · Piazza San Martino
This would be the first of many visits to Lucca for Carter and me.
Italy · San Casciano in Val di Pesa · Via Faltignano
2018-10-09
Italy · San Casciano in Val di Pesa · Via Faltignano
Italy · Barberino di Mugello · Ristorante Le Maschere
Italy · San Cesario sul Panaro
Italy · Sant’Agata Bolognese
Lamborghini Factory Tour. Lamborghini started as a tractor manufacturer!
Italy · Modena · Via Paolo Ferrari
Ferrari Museum Tour and Dinner.
2018-10-10
Italy · Modena · Marzaglia
Our first track day driving F458’s. One of the best Ferraris made. I still prefer the F8.
It’s not easy to get into and out of these cars.
Italy · Bologna · Piazzetta Santa Maria della Pioggia
Our grand finale in Bologna.
Only in Italy will you see a Lamborghini police car!
2018-10-11
Italy · Bologna · Via Galliera
Photo Montage
Thanks for traveling with TheHad🩵