Porsche tours 2019
Are you ready to tackle the finest roads in your Neunelfer? Total 911 presents four of the best road trips you need to enrol on for 2019
Get planning your summer driving excursions with our compendium of recommended tours
It shouldn’t really come as any surprise that last year’s driving tour feature (issue 160) garnered plenty of interest, not least because few cars are as suited to long-distance enjoyment as the 911. From crossing countries to tackling the most challenging roads on the planet, it never fails to entertain, which is why we’re sure you’ll be ready to plan some exciting adventures for 2019. Nothing beats a memorable road trip and a chance to enjoy fine locations, and doing so in the company of like-minded enthusiasts makes it all the more special. So, if you’re looking to get out and drive in 2019, let Total 911 point you in the direction of some truly cracking trips. In fact, we’ve found four that you will absolutely love, each offering a very special experience, and we can’t recommend them highly enough. From a relaxing tour through some of the finest scenery that Europe has to offer to enjoying epic motorsport events in VIP luxury, each of the tours here will prove unforgettable, and a reminder of why we love the Neunelfer so much. So dig out your passport, start packing, and get ready for some brilliant drives in 2019.
Taste of Tuscany 6 to 19 May $14,995p/p
If you prefer more relaxation and less high-octane thrills then this is for you. You collect a 911 Carrera at your luxury hotel in Munich and then it’s time to enjoy some fine experiences, including a private boat trip on Lake Garda. Even ardent Porsche fans like us will find the exclusive tour of the Ferrari Museum and legendary Fiorano track a real highlight, and while the opportunity to enjoy great roads is guaranteed this trip is an altogether more relaxing affair. When it comes to luxury, six nights at the beautiful Castello di Casole villa in Siena will recharge even the weariest of batteries. The tour is deliberately designed to allow plenty of time to unwind and take in the surroundings, exploring the likes of Florence and the medieval walled town of San Gimignano, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. “Its spectacular landscapes, artistic heritage, historic cities and superb cuisine make Tuscany a must-see destination,” says Autobahn’s Mark Trewartha. And if after all the culture you’re itching to get back behind the wheel then heading into the Austrian Tyrol is perfect, the organisers arranging a special drive on the Hahntennjoch Pass to stretch that 911 a bit harder. Is there a finer way to enjoy the Neunelfer’s talents? www.autobahnadventures.com
Norwegian Navigation 1 to 9 June £1,999p/p based on two sharing
We hold the roads and scenery of Norway in the highest regard, and the Trollstigen, or Trolls Road, made our list of Top 100 driving roads. You’ll experience it for yourself on this amazing trip, but there’s plenty more to enjoy before you reach this breathtaking bit of Tarmac. As tour manager Pete Osborne explains: “Norway is stunning and the perfect place for enjoying a 911, and we planned this tour to highlight everything it has to offer.” After a driver briefing in Kent you’ll take the Eurotunnel in your own car and head through France, Belgium and Holland. Stretching your 911 on the German Autobahn is always a treat, and then it’s Denmark and the ferry across to Norway. After leaving Kristiansand you’ll head inland for the dramatic driving roads around Lysebotn, then head down to Øye and to the Geirangerfjord and Trollstigen. Around 60 miles in length and hugging the mountains, the scenery is amazing, and no matter what 911 you own it’s a special experience. The next couple of days provides more stunning roads and vistas before the ferry and a return to Denmark. Use of a pre-loaded sat-nav and walkie-talkie are included and tour managers are on hand, so you can just relax and enjoy everything Norway has to offer. www.petrolhead.tours
Alps and Pyrenees 22 to 30 June £1,999p/p based on two sharing
The organisers have made some major changes to this tour for 2019, and it sounds better than ever. Using your own car, after a trip through the Eurotunnel you’ll head south around Geneva and onto the mountain roads west of Mont Blanc. That night’s halt is near Val-d’isère, and you’ll want a good rest because stunning Alpine roads beckon; a chance to really test yourself and your 911’s handling. A highlight is the Col de l’lseran – the highest pass in Europe – but the whole day is a driving enthusiast’s dream, and one you won’t forget. The organisers then have a real treat in store: a crack-of-dawn drive to the top of Mont Ventoux to watch the sun rise before heading back to the hotel for breakfast. “We wanted to make the tour even better for 2019, and we’re really pleased with this addition,” says tour manager Pete Osborne. The rest of the day takes you across the picturesque French countryside to the awesome Millau Viaduct, then to Carcassonne. By Thursday you’re heading for the Spanish border and more terrific roads in the north of the country. Heading home you can take the ferry from Spain, or there’s a discount if you prefer to drive back across Europe; we know which we’d choose! www.petrolhead.tours
Ultimate Racing Experience 12 to 25 June $19,995p/p
Spending almost 900 miles driving the 911 Carrera supplied as part of this epic package is a proper treat and, as Mark Trewartha puts it, this is a “once in a lifetime opportunity to experience two of the world’s most iconic motor races back-to-back”. Porsche is synonymous with the Le Mans 24-hour race, and arriving in Frankfurt you’ll be whisked to the circuit by private jet. What follows is a chance to watch the drama unfold with VIP hospitality, not to mention a helicopter ride over the historic track. Sound thrilling? There’s more, as after the race has ended it’s back on the jet to Frankfurt where you collect the 911 and head into the stunning Eifel Mountains for hours of driving pleasure, and a date with another great race – the Nürburgring 24 hours. Once again you’ll enjoy the full VIP treatment, along with a chance to drive the Nordschleife and enjoy a dinner at the Pistenklause restaurant owned by the family of ‘Ring expert and racer, Sabine Schmitz. Also included in the itinerary is a tour of the Spa-francorchamps circuit, and there’s plenty of time to relax and explore cities and the Rhine Valley. Okay, so this isn’t a cheap jaunt, but few tours are packed with experiences quite like this one. www.autobahnadventures.com