The visionary Ferrucio Lamborghini founded Automobili Lamborghini in May 1963, with the singular aim to make the world’s best sports cars. To mark the 60th anniversary of the iconic brand he created, the H.R. Owen team organised an epic road trip from the UK to Italy to celebrate this milestone event, with clients from four Lamborghini dealerships – London, Hatfield, Manchester and Pangbourne – taking part.
On the evening of June 7th, 36 clients and their guests arrived at the luxurious late-18th century Champneys Eastwell Manor Hotel & Spa in Kent. The next morning, the convoy boarded the Eurostar for France, and after arriving in Calais, cruised down to the iconic Reims-Gueux circuit, stopping for photographs of the timeless pit lane buildings which still proudly stand despite the last race running in 1972.
From there, the convoy of Lamborghinis passed through Strasbourg, before splitting into two groups of 18 cars – London and Hatfield, and Manchester and Pangbourne respectively. Both took a different route through the winding roads of Germany’s atmospheric Black Forest, before enjoying exquisite Michelin-star cuisine at their luxurious 5-Star hotels.
Day three started with an autobahn run, the cars heading towards Lichtenstein, and then Manchester and Pangbourne turning off for the Swiss Alps, climbing the twisting ribbons of tarmac to the breathtaking destination of St Moritz and the 19th Century Grand Hotel Kempinski. London and Hatfield made for the Austrian Alps, and their overnight stay at the luxurious Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol. Both of the 5-Star hotels afforded mesmerising, panoramic mountain views.
The next day featured the sweeping bends of the Bernina Pass, the border crossing into Italy, then more of the world’s finest drivers’ roads, including the seemingly endless hairpins of the Jaufen and Sella passes. Climbing further into the mountains overlooking Bolzano, the convoy arrived at the brand new Ciampedie Luxury Alpine Spa Hotel.
The route on day five threaded through the Dolomites, taking in valleys, vineyards, and the Bolognese Hills, before reaching the stunning Palazzo di Varignana, a luxury resort surrounded by the rolling Emilian countryside.
The following day the group was treated to a private tour of the place where the legend was born: Automobili Lamborghini, Sant’Agata Bolognese. As well as visiting the museum, they met Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelman, had lunch at the factory – looking out over the brand new V12 production line where the Revuelto is made – which was opened exclusively for them.
Afterwards, they drove on to the breathtaking Umberto Cesari winery, sampling Italy’s finest Emilia Romagna provincial wines, and enjoyed a spectacular four-course dinner on the terrace at sunset, together with a firework display, saxophonist and a DJ. Joining them for this spectacular finale evening were senior executives from Lamborghini, including European Regional Director, Christian Mastro.
On the seventh and final day, the cars were loaded onto transporters for the return journey to the UK. Having driven an incredible 1,226 miles across Europe, the group took a flight home from Bologna, accompanied by their gift of two cases of wine from the Umberto Cesari vineyard, given as a token to mark this truly unforgettable occasion.
