My Driving-Vacation to Tuscany Part 1

Many people visit this Northern Italy region named Emilia-Romagna for many world-famed attractions. The genius of man and the mystery of nature gave birth to the Renaissance movement here. Legends such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Giovanni Da Verrazzano, Dante Alighieri, Giovanni Boccaccio, Niccolò Machiavelli, Antonio Meucci, and Amerigo Vespucci shaped our sciences, peotries, arts, politics, and exploring spirits.

For car enthusiasts, this region has another importance. Some say that the babies born here are very special. They are born with the need for speed. It is hard to argue with that statement knowing that this place has Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati, Pagani Zonda, and Dallara.
Despite such exotic reputation, this region doesn't give the opulent impression that one would expect. Instead, tree-lined roads, simple creamy brick houses with red curvy clay roofs, Fiat's and Alfa's, and friendly residents compose most of the daily scenery here.

Lamborghini Factory

In the beginning, Ferruccio Lamborghini built tractors. He was always fond of driving Ferrari's. He noticed that Ferrari's clutch broke frequently. So, he proposed a heavy-duty clutch design based on his experience building tractors. Ferrari didn't accept his idea. So, being a very passionate person, he did the insane thing. He built his own sports cars.

The history of the Lamborghini had not always been commendable. The company had its ups and down. It changed owners many times. In the eighties and the nineties, the cars were plagued with many quality issues. Some said that Lamborghini owners enjoyed their cars by driving to the mechanics.
Audi bought Lamborghini from an Indonesian owner in 1998. Through many manufacturing process improvements and technology exchanges, Lamborghini was reborn as dramatic as a young Phoenix. Once again, Lamborghini captures many car enthusiasts' hearts.

At the time of our visit, the factory produced seven Gallardo and two-and-a-half Murcielago a day. The factory floor that hosted two production lines was smaller than the typical Walmart superstore. One thing that became very quickly obvious to us was the fact that there was no single robot here. Instead, many devoted craftsmen were meticulously performing their assigned tasks with pride.

There were seven workstations in the Gallardo assembly line. The tasks at each station had to be completed in about 50 minutes, leaving 10 minutes for any unexpected delays. The parts to be assembled on each workstation were delivered just in time. The line moved at the top of the hour. In an eight hour working day, this line produced seven cars. There was only one shift and they were off on weekends. The beauty of human syncopation from the start of the assembly line to the end should be captured in a time-lapse camera.

The factory museum is located in the modern glass building featuring gleaming vintage, racing, and concept cars. One can admire the legendary Countach's, the curvaceous Miura's, the spartan F1's, the menacing Diablo's, the unconventional Espada's, the jet fighter Reventon, and other historic 350's, 400 GT's, Islero's, and Jarama's. In one afternoon, one can learn the Lamborghini genealogy and heritage.

Montespertoli

Montespertoli, tucked in a brow of the Tuscany picturesque emerald hills covered by vineyards, olive groves, and sunflowers, was our first glimpse to one of the famous wine countries in Europe. We were about to retire from the long drive from Germany and the exciting Lamborghini factory visit. Agriturismo Farm Poni Hotel Montespertoli was our destination.
Agritourismo concept is very common here and it is the best way to enjoy Tuscany. The agritourismo accommodation can simply be described as a bed & breakfast owned and operated by a farm owner. Our host guided us through the main 17th century estate complex where she showed us their collection of wines and extra virgin olive oil.

Our two bedroom faulted ceiling apartment was very comfortable and filled with common amenities and Italian furniture. There was no broadband internet. But who needed one when the view from the living room and bedroom windows was the vast rows of vineyards and olive groves on green rolling hills accentuated by Italian farm houses and villas. The evening spring sunset gave an orange glow on the horizon while the waking moon highlighted the deep dark blue sky on the opposite side.
Sitting on the reclined garden chair before this calming picture, I sensed every part of my body relaxing and I drifted away into blissfulness..

andreas@driving-vacation.com

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