Ladies And Gentlemen: The British Day

Every year it’s about exploring a different location, but proposing the usual tested formula: first class reception, interesting tours, roads on which to have entertaining drives, relaxation and conviviality. This is the British Day courtesy of TF Passion, now at its sixth consecutive year and hosted between Terme and the Euganean Hills, near Padua. Way point of reference, the Hotel Esplanade Tergesteo, in Montegrotto Terme, which took place on Saturday, June 25^th at which the participants met.

A Saturday warm-up, as tradition, with a series of activities with times anything but tight, so as to fully enjoy the schedule. The first stage saw the group of British drivers move at the International Museum of Art Glass and Thermal, where they had the chance to listen the history and anecdotes about one of the art forms that the world envies us, while immediately following the group returned to the hotel for a refreshing bath in the pool and a full physical and psychological recovery, thanks to the spa treatments. Given the fact of a purely summer day and the availability of such facilities, a beach atmosphere has been soon established … with spritz in abundance (the best cocktail to pay homage to the Veneto region, of course), more and more consistent, which introduced all the expected “official” aperitif, in a completely natural way. With a glass in hand, sitting around a table or on a sofa, the conversation becomes even tighter, and you can appreciate moments when it comes out the spirit of those people facing cars meets with lightheartedness, with the desire to have fun and to share their passion among people who they already knew, or with those which a moment before were complete strangers. It does not matter that your car is a nice MG, rather than a stately Jaguar or an unconventional Morgan, the important thing is to meet again every year, aware of being united by the love for English cars, both classic and modern.

The evening kept going with dinner, in the hotel lounge and has accompanied everyone gradually towards a well earned rest, going through a tasting of cigars and brandy, organized in collaboration with “Live in Style” magazine. Nightlife lovers have thus had the opportunity to spend time at the pool, listening curiosities and secrets of two vintage products universally known, but often not sufficiently appreciated for their meditative side. The night has however also allowed these latecomers to rest properly, and to better address the Sunday morning. Day began almost as it was over the previous one: at a long table, this time for breakfast. Soon, however, the convoy moved on, going to face a scenic, sunny and panoramic route, on the Berici Hills. On the way the group is inevitably fragmented, but all participants gathered at the gardens of Villa Barbarigo in Valsanzibio. A walk through one of the most beautiful symbolic gardens (conceived in the ‘600, according to a precise walkthrough), listening to the interesting notes of the guides, sitting in the shade of centuries old trees and admiring beautiful fountains (often animated by waterfowl birds). Visit ended at the old stables of the villa, of course … with a drink break, before getting in the car and be ready to attack the corners of the hills, among narrow winding strips of asphalt, crossing small towns facing sunny and orderly vineyards. The snake of cars has finally stopped at the Agriturismo Alba in Baone and then, having the chance to see 80 people cheering, it really was the ultimate reward for those who have organized the event!

Organization for which, again this year, the TF Passion Club shake hands with Auto Class Magazine, for the support and trust received.

See you next year!

Words by Gianluca Torini

photos by Andrea Clovis e Marco Gatti

Model: Paulina Bien