In any country when people talk about the most beautiful landscapes in Italy, the best food and good wines, you can be sure they are referring to Tuscany.

Does anyone know the “Colli di Langhe” ?

We didn’t and and to remedy this, five cars from the local Jaguar Club (RHEIN-MAIN REGION) set off for Piemomt, guided by our vice-chairman, A semi-professional wine and food critic. It was a “Classic Cars to Classic pursuits” sort of trip!

Our first night was spent at Gryeres in Switzerland where you can see from the pictures that we tasted the famous Raclette cheese.

Next morning we had a choice of crossing the Alps by tunnel or by the Col di Grand Bernhard (2.472 M.) However since I’d rebuilt the XK120 twenty years ago I’d wanted to drive the old Pass bounded by snow, so it was an easy decision. The car ran beautifully with no overheating, so it was quite exhilarating with up to 3 metres each side of the road.

The Colli di Langhe region is about sixty miles south of Turin and it is a confusing and magnificent collection of valleys and hills, the northern part covered with vineyards (the most famous being Barolo and Barbaresco), gradually changing to large areas of woodlands farmed for Truffles and Hazel nuts. Stunning views of snow covered Alpl abound. We stayed in the Villa Beccaris in Monforte D’Alba, a magnificent place high in the hills.

For the next four days we argued about where we’d eaten and drank the best wines, the Pasta, Proscuito, Grappa or where we’d driven the most beautiful roads and we were probably very boring indeed, but the experience was memorable and virtually everything beyond criticism. I shan’t bore you with details!

We returned via the Gran Bernhand, the car flew upwards with ease, me driving like a child with a new toy and in seventh heaven. Even my wife didn’t squeal and although she won’t admit it, I’m sure she was as happy as I was.

All five cars returned safely having covered about fifteen hundred hundred miles. You may ask why I enjoy trips like this in an old car when I can have all the convenience of power assisted steering, brakes, auto boxes and air conditioning and I’d answer that there are three very good reasons:

A sense of community with each of us depending on the others in the party, all dear friends. A big challenge to have completed the trip in a nearly sixty year old car that I’d rebuilt myself. And if I’m honest, I’d have to say that it brings back memories of youth.

Heinrich Fischer June 2009