A Road trip with the Historical Porsche 911 and 912 Italian Club

June 2017. Car-Shooters accompanied the Historical Porsche 911 and 912 Italian Club during one of their rallies, on a road trip that, with 12 historic Porsches from all over Italy, took us from Tuscany to Molise to discover the beauty of the Italian territory.

The first meeting for the group from Northern Italy is the “Il Baio” restaurant, in Spoleto. Under a shining early summer sun, the paintings of the Stuttgart’s house cars sparkle in the restaurant’s parking lot like jewels in a showcase. Through the lens of my camera, luxury and elegance go through the decades of the Porsche brand, which innovates while remaining faithful to itself. From the oldest model from 1973 up to the “almost contemporary” 993, the iconic line of the 911 remains unmistakable even in the various Cabrio and Targa declinations.

It’s the beginning of our adventure. We follow this elegant car show of every era and color driving a Porsche Cayenne kindly granted by the Porsche Center of Bologna owned by the Penske Automotive Group Italy. With its pearl black, it looks like a silent guardian if these four-wheeled beauties. We leave the elegant restaurant that had welcomed us for this first meeting with some traditional flavours of the city of Spoleto. And it is in Spoleto that we shoot the first postcard of this roadtrip. With smiles and enthusiasm, our drivers greet us as they pass leaving behind Umbria, to the next stop.

We can feel the desire of discover new paths while we are heading to Avezzano, our second pit-stop, where the guests from the South and Center of Italy arrived carrying with them the oldest car of the group made in 1969. All together, we continue through the Abruzzo region, passing through the Altopiano delle Cinquemiglia, which offers us the perfect path to appreciate the wonderful corners of the road and the landscape.

We are like a traveling museum, a show in motion made of engines. We are the last car of the group, with the most modern car, our Porsche Cayenne, perfect for maximum comfort and taking photos on the go, still managing to keep up with the sport cars that are in front of us.

The arrival at the Piana dei Mulini, our hotel, is sweet at the end of the evening. As in a procession, cars calm their spirits and settle in the great space of grass in front of the hotel. We receive a fantastic welcome from Michele, the owner of this original 1700 building, who respecting the area and the local’s tradition make our stay a unique experience.

It’s not a coincidence that this route was chosen. Its hotel, located in Colle d’Anchise in Molise, is in fact a model of slow tourism, which have respect for the past and sustainable innovation. And it is at the Piana dei Mulini that finally the whole group meets, the Registry’s family finds itself and it extends, also welcoming us.

It is clear that every Porsche owner demonstrates an intimate feeling with his car, which is evident through respectful gestures. It is a proud affection.

We enjoy the best of the atmosphere, with typical food of the Molise’s tradition. It ends here, among the soft lights of this peaceful environment, the first day of trip.

The next morning we are ready to resume. Porsche engines sing all togheter the same song: a passion for a brand, for a faith.

Paola Carresi, Vice-President of the Registry, is our energetic leader, leading the group with his legendary yellow 911 2.4 Targa. She leads us through these streets and beutiful valleys, with that grimness that proves in life and driving. The other guests are no less, cars alternate at the head of the procession, in the path that from Colle d’Anchise crosses the area of the Matese Lakes.

This is such a beautiful journey, which allows us to make a truly enjoyable driving experience. Our driving have a stop in a Capriati Volturno, where the mayor awaits us for a coffee break. After a short break in the Capriati valley, we set out again in the road surrounded by beautiful vineyards.

We have lunch, at the Ricci restaurant, in Cese, where we can again appreciate the excellence of these lands, with a big menu and strong flavours.

The engines re-ignite and despite a short thunderstorm we continue through these winding roads surrounded by nature to reach the Benedictine Abbey of San Vincenzo in Volturno. Completely rebuilt after the damage suffered during World War II, it remains a site of great historic interest, enriched by the nearby archaeological site that we can visit.

We return to the Colle d’Anchise at our hotel for a second delicious dinner together.

The weekend is over, but we still have the opportunity to visit Campobasso on a special day. We can find the historic parade of Mysteries. Old wooden and metal scaffolds support children dressed up by the characters of biblical tradition, parading through the streets of the city. A particular show that attracts a large audience of which we are part.

With a greeting, this wonderful weekend ends with the discovery of the territory. We go back to our cars for the return, after three days of genuine emotions that only the true passion for the Porsche brand can give. It’s a goodbye for everyone, not a farewell.