A delightful end-of-season tour with Car Rouge, 31.10. - 03.11.2019

At Göschenen we leave the motorway and pass the Gotthard tunnel by. For once, in pleasant weather, our route takes us over the Gotthard Pass, which our coach drivers master with skill. Countless bends and hairpins are no problem for either the drivers or the coaches. After a tasty lunch near Como, we continue a little more slowly towards Florence. We are not the only ones on the road and soon notice that tomorrow's All Saints' Day is an important public holiday.

Somewhat delayed, we reach our centrally located Grand Hotel Baglioni near the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, where the staff are already happily expecting us in the panoramic restaurant. The spectacular view of the beautifully illuminated cathedral makes up for the long journey. And the excellent dinner dispels even the last traces of ill humour. Late in the evening we raise a glass to a fellow traveller who is happy to celebrate his birthday with us. The Car Rouge travel family has found itself again and is already looking forward to the programme ahead.

Here on this blog I can admit it: I am neither a morning person nor a long-breakfast lingerer. At the Grand Hotel Baglioni, however, it is different for once. The view from the panoramic windows of the famous buildings of the Renaissance city is sweetened by a perfect cappuccino and an outstanding breakfast buffet.

After a generous breakfast we drive up to Piazzale Michelangelo in mild temperatures and are lucky several times over: the sun is smiling from the sky and the many other tourists still seem to be asleep. So the whole group enjoys a dreamlike view from the most famous terrace of the city of art without feeling crowded. Below us the Arno flows lazily by, spanned in the distance by the Ponte Vecchio. By now we are also accompanied by local guides, who tell us a great deal about the Florence of yesterday and today while we take in this wonderful view. Simply beautiful, time and again!

After a free afternoon we dine in the evening at Ristorante Gilli on Piazza della Repubblica. Well fed, we then make our way to the nearby Auditorium Santo Stefano, where we attend a superbly staged concert. "Una serata all'Opera" enchants its audience with graceful and well-known pieces by Mozart, Bizet, Verdi and Puccini.

The next day, the church of Santa Croce and the Ponte Vecchio, the bridge lined with houses, are on the programme. The oldest Gothic church in Florence in particular – Santa Croce – delights us all. Today it is known above all for the famous figures of the past who are buried here, as well as for its valuable art treasures.

Art accompanies us into the afternoon as well, this time optionally. With expert guidance we visit the world-famous Uffizi Gallery and marvel at numerous works of art. Unlike on the first day, however, we are not alone. Sometimes I can hardly see the artworks for all the raised mobile phones, tablets and cameras. Are they really all art lovers?

Then it is time again: the grand gala evening with dinner, dancing, a prize draw and entertainment is at hand. The beautifully decorated Sala Michelangelo in the hotel awaits us, once again with exquisite food. Excitement rises among the participants: what will the prizes be this time, who will be first on the dance floor, and where will the next end-of-season tour lead?

One of our Car Rouge regulars keeps us all in suspense a little longer. With a witty, informative and also lengthy verse he sums up the whole journey so far to perfection, and he has the laughs on his side. Later the tickets are drawn and the lucky ten winners receive their travel vouchers. Daniel Dicke, Armin Portner and I then let a few secrets slip and reveal, among other things, where the trip will go in 2020: it will be Nice, and with a stay at the famous Hotel Le Negresco*****. The end-of-season tour will take place from 15.11. to 18.11.2020.

"Let's sign up right away, shall we, darling?" is not an unusual thing to hear.

The return journey on Sunday takes a little longer than planned, as the usual traffic jam at the southern portal of the Gotthard holds us up. It seems, though, that the cheerful group does not want to part from one another so quickly. Fortunately we are all well fortified by lunch at the Agriturismo La Camilla near Milan. This wonderful place sets the culinary full stop at the end of an extremely successful trip.