ADVICE FROM THOSE WHO’VE DONE IT

Abel Jan Brand

has been on several events in Italy with Bart Kleyn’s Via Flaminia tours. He’s shared an Austin-healey with a colleague and says that he found the mixture of competition and relaxation just about right. ‘It’s not about speed, it’s more about finding the nicest routes and enjoying Italian food and drink,’ he says. ‘ The tours aren’t that large, maybe 30 to 35 crews, so we can fit in the old- style hotels. But there is some competition to make it interesting, and we won the Tour class, which means we’re now obliged to compete in the Sports class – it’s a bit more serious but still great fun.

‘Just about anyone in any classic car can do it and really enjoy themselves. Don’t be put off by the competition – you don’t need an expert navigator or a driver with rallying experience.’

Roger and Marie Marriott

have been on every single event offered by Mike Kirk’s Classic Car Tours MK in the last two years and are set to continue that into 2017, using one of three classics or their modern Mazda MX-5. ‘ You can’t fail to enjoy it if you like driving and nice scenery,’ says Marie. ‘It’s become the only sort of holiday we want to do. My husband used to rally but these tours aren’t competitive; there’s always time to stop and enjoy yourself. We’ve widened our circle of friends too.’

Dr Geoff Brandon

has been on several trips with Steve Mccullagh’s Classic Car Journeys, whose approach is rather unusual – it provides participants with interesting vehicles, be they Hindustan Ambassadors, tough 4x4s or Royal Enfield motorbikes, as they tour far- off regions in the Himalayas, India, Southern Africa and south-east Asia. ‘We use our own classic cars for trips in the UK and Europe but shipping a car far overseas adds a lot to the cost, so this is a more affordable way of driving to places you’d never normally see,’ says Geoff.

‘It might seem like a colossal adventure but don’t be put off by the enormity of the idea – just get out there and do it.’