Re: What a great experience

Really a fantastic car. We have been doing everything with it from 150+ mph autobahn runs to twisting mountain passes. having said that, I wouldn't trade my 981s for it. I honestly think the 981s is just as quick and it's equal in real world handling. The back seat is handy for stashing stuff such as cameras etc,but the extra trunk on the 981 is nice for extra concealed luggage. It's your call if the back seat is worth around 30,000. FYI, this base cab is very well equipped with all the performance options as well as leather and PSE.
Cheers from Tuscany!

Lawdevil
2013 Boxster S - Agate Grey,
2016 Macan Turbo - jet black
Cashiers, NC & Atlanta

Hey Mike, bellissimo viaggio in Toscana!

Are you doing a PorscheFest tour?

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Tino
Are you doing a PorscheFest tour?

We are on a Fastlane Tuscany Porsche Fest. Really a fantastic vacation!

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Lawdevil & CURVN8R

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Tino
Are you doing a PorscheFest tour?

We are on a Fastlane Tuscany Porsche Fest. Really a fantastic vacation!

For $30,000/2people/10days....it should be!

"A mile of highway will take you one mile. A mile of runway will take you anywhere."

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Gary in SoFL

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Lawdevil & CURVN8R

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Tino
Are you doing a PorscheFest tour?

We are on a Fastlane Tuscany Porsche Fest. Really a fantastic vacation!

For $30,000/2people/10days....it should be!

Actually a little cheaper than that - but I sure as hell don't plan on leaving it to my heirs!

I've been looking at that trip for several years, myself. Probably 2015, as a target.

Did they have any manual transmissions?

"A mile of highway will take you one mile. A mile of runway will take you anywhere."

I understnd that there are no Porsche manuals available for rent - at least through AVIS which handles the reantal aspect of the factory owned Porsches.

So Boxsters, Caymans, 991's and Panameras only, plus cabs of course. Why would anyone take anything but a 991?

The trip cost is all inclusive except for airfare, extra rental mileage and incidentals, I believe.

Did you go to the Porsche factory, and how was the weather?

"A mile of highway will take you one mile. A mile of runway will take you anywhere."

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Gary in SoFL
So Boxsters, Caymans, 991's and Panameras only, plus cabs of course. Why would anyone take anything but a 991?

The trip cost is all inclusive except for airfare, extra rental mileage and incidentals, I believe.

Did you go to the Porsche factory, and how was the weather?

Actually, you can get a Turbo, a GT3 or even a Lamborghini - if you are willing to pay the extra freight. In our group, there was one Panamera GTS and Peter Sonntag drives a Panamera GTS. All the rest were 991 cabs.

The more expensive ones are all-inclusive -and include nothing but the best - the accommodations were incredible. I believe not everything is included in some of the trips such as the 5 country trip. Also, on that trip, you have a little more freedom in that they don't accompany you on the drives but rather plug directions into the Nav and then meet you at various destinations. That may change next year since some guy drove over 200 km/hr through a work zone, was arrested and received some bad publicity (Porsche and Fastlane do not like bad publicity).

We did go to the factory and to the museum. Both were great. Right now, the museum is dedicated to the 911. We had a little rain on a couple of days but for the most part the weather was great - especially in Tuscany.
Next year we may do the Riviera trip and possibly try to substitute the Mercedes Museum for the factory.

Cheers

Lawdevil
2013 Boxster S - Agate Grey,
2016 Macan Turbo - jet black
Cashiers, NC & Atlanta



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/01/2013 04:40PM by Lawdevil & CURVN8R. (view changes)

The factory "Porsche Travel Club" also does tours. See the Porsche web site or your dealer. My wife fell asleep on one of the "quicker" sections.

Ed B

Enjoy! Many years ago, my wife and I went on one of these trips, and it is a memory that will last a lifetime. We were driving 993's back then, just to give you a sense of the "epoch". On that trip, Pete Sonntag had a photographer tag along, taking pictures of all the participants, and at the end of the trip we were given a chance to order a photo album, somewhat customized for each of us. We still look at that album fairly often today, and it brings all the memories back and makes them fresh. Well worth the price. Enjoy the rest of your trip and do give us a complete report when you get back.

Peter is still at it - going on 37 or 38 years I think. He took a lot of videos and stills during this trip - hope to get a copy of many of them.

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Tino
Enjoy! Many years ago, my wife and I went on one of these trips, and it is a memory that will last a lifetime. We were driving 993's back then, just to give you a sense of the "epoch". On that trip, Pete Sonntag had a photographer tag along, taking pictures of all the participants, and at the end of the trip we were given a chance to order a photo album, somewhat customized for each of us. We still look at that album fairly often today, and it brings all the memories back and makes them fresh. Well worth the price. Enjoy the rest of your trip and do give us a complete report when you get back.

We did one back in 2000 driving a 996 C4; one of those trips we always talk about--what a great time.
I took a few pics of the my wife driving on the autobahn--90 she looked very relaxed; at 150 it was all concentration....

Nice, but how many pedals does it have?

Even without an amazing 991, it doesn't get much better!



"A mile of highway will take you one mile. A mile of runway will take you anywhere."



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/26/2013 04:20PM by Gary in SoFL. (view changes)

That's a thought to do for a vacation in a few years. Am looking forward to seeing some pics and hear of the experiences.

Joanne

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Joanne in OC
That's a thought to do for a vacation in a few years. Am looking forward to seeing some pics and hear of the experiences.

Joanne

The trip was arranged by FastLane Travel who has been doing this for around 37 years.

We flew to Stuttgart and after a great meal and some good beer and wine, and a good night's sleep, we went to the Porsche Museum and the Porsche factory. The Museum is, not surprisingly, concentrating on the history of the 911. The next day, we took possession of our rental Porsches (all 911s, owned by Porsche Finance but rental arrangements handled by Avis). In two groups of 6 or 7 cars, we took to the Autobahn and drove to a fabulous hotel near Innsbruck Austria. During this run, we had our first taste of unlimited speed limits; because of traffic, I was only able to get to around 248 km/hr. During this time, we took daily trips to various sites in the area, including a drive over Silvretta Hochalpinstrasse. One nice thing about driving in groups of 6 with walkie-talkies is that once the lead car made a pass of a slower car, he could tell us when it was safe to pass - even on the curves.

After several days in Innsbruck, we took to the Austrian autobahn and the Italian Autostrade. We found the Italian drivers a little less "disciplined" that thos in Germany and Austria. At one point, a Fiat 500 passed 6 of us at once, blowing his horn the entire time; I have no idea why - the speed limit was 100 km/hr and traffic was VERY heavy. I guess he was making a point to the fleet of German cars. Also, the roads in Italy are not as good as Germany and Austria. On some long sweeping turns at around 130 km/hr, there were very prominent expansion strips which caused the cars to get a little unsettled. Actually, the one Panamera in our group was able to handle this better than the 911s.

We spent 5 days in Tuscany and a beautiful estate and winery. There again we made daily trips to various attractions and towns in the area - and bought a bunch of wine for shipment back to the U.S. In a couple of towns, we had police escorts though the NARROW streets of the old city center. That caused quite a stir and we had numerous folks waving and taking pictures of the convoy of Porsches.

Finally, we returned to Austria where the entire Castle Schlosshotel Igls had been rented for us. Biggest and most luxurious roon I have ever stayed in. Even had a sauna in the bathroom. The next morning, we arose to find the entire staff outside washing our cars.

Finally - drove back to Stuttgart and reluctantly surrendered our Porsches - but only after one last 150+ mph run on the autobahn. We concluded out trip the next day with a very fun evening at the Stuttgart Octoberfest before our flight back to Atlanta the next day. Here is a link to a few pictures on my facebook album (I think I took oer 800 pictures):
[www.facebook.com]

This was truly a bucket list type of trip and I recommend it highly.

Lawdevil, sounds like it was a great experience. Thanks for the write-up and details.

Such fun...... I lived in Europe for 4 years, had a BMW while I was there. I remember the autobahn's with fond memories. Italy was another story and didn't drive there. I remember those tiny streets and the heavy traffic, not many nice cars. I remember being on the bus and a group of guys in a small car gave up on traffic, they got out of their car, lifted it up and turned it around, then drove off. I couldn't believe it.

Your itinerary sounds wonderful. You could relax and not just rush from place to place. Sounds like you were really able to take in the culture and experience the areas. Where did you stay in Tuscany? I didn't make it to the area, but want to go. I'm going to keep your trip in mind. It has quite a few interests and I'm sure the people were very interesting to speak with. Especially since you would all have a common interest

Joanne

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Joanne in OC
Such fun...... I lived in Europe for 4 years, had a BMW while I was there. I remember the autobahn's with fond memories. Italy was another story and didn't drive there. I remember those tiny streets and the heavy traffic, not many nice cars. I remember being on the bus and a group of guys in a small car gave up on traffic, they got out of their car, lifted it up and turned it around, then drove off. I couldn't believe it.

Your itinerary sounds wonderful. You could relax and not just rush from place to place. Sounds like you were really able to take in the culture and experience the areas. Where did you stay in Tuscany? I didn't make it to the area, but want to go. I'm going to keep your trip in mind. It has quite a few interests and I'm sure the people were very interesting to speak with. Especially since you would all have a common interest

Joanne

We stayed near Buonconvento - which is near Mantalcino (home of Bruello wine). I was amazed how consistently beautiful Tuscany is wherever you are1

2015 for sure, unless G-man signs up for the same trip

"A mile of highway will take you one mile. A mile of runway will take you anywhere."

But gotta find someone to go with me ...... Then again, if I do it may mean I can't drive as much

Joanne

It was on my bucket list. You just helped add a few more checkmarks beside that one.

Thank you for the trip report, Mike. It really sounds like a wonderful vacation. Cathy and I were fortunate to have spent 8 years in Europe as expats, living in France and Italy, so we can relate to your comments about the beauty of the areas you visited, and the driving! We also spent one evening at the Stuttgart Canstatterfest (Oktoberfest) and remember it fondly. I got a kick out of the locals telling us at least ten times during the night, that this was the real October celebration, and not that fake "touristy" thing down the road in Munich. Fun times.

For those of you making lists, bucket or otherwise, I wholeheartedly second Mike's recommendation of the trip. There are several versions, at several prices, durations, and locations, but they all sound fantastic.

Thanks again, and now enjoy the memories.