When it comes to motorized vehicles, I have to admit that my knowledge is limited. I mean, I can drive; but just as long as it’s not with manual transmission, and only if there’s no one else to do the job. Plus, if given the choice, I’d pick a bicycle over a car in almost any situation. On the other hand, I love road trips and I’m a pretty solid copilot and navigator. So I can understand the passion that some drivers have for their machines.
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to witness this passion first-hand and at high level during Italy’s Mille Miglia, a classic race reserved only for historic cars that runs from Brescia to Rome and back. Dubbed as the world’s most beautiful car race, the route passes through some of Italy’s most stunning cities: Brescia, Verona, Vicenza, Padova, Ferrara, Spoleto, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Reggio Emilia, and Rome, among others.
This year, the race began on May 17th in Brescia, stopping in Ferrara at the end of the day; the next morning, competitors headed to Rome, arriving at Castel Sant’Angelo. On Saturday May 19th, they left Rome for the last stretch of the race, which is probably the most intense; since they had to make it back to Brescia in one go. During the race, they covered a total of 1600 kilometers! There were 384 cars participating in this year’s edition with drivers coming from almost 30 countries. Most of the drivers were male, but there were also some female drivers and even all female teams.
However, the most impressive of them all, in my opinion was the amazing Sylvia Oberti, one of only 2 drivers riding solo! When Sylvia drove to the control station in Bologna, she was greeted with a whole lot of clapping and exclamations of “Brava! Bravissima!”. All that commotion was enough to stir up my curiosity and made me want to know more about her. It turns out, that she first gained recognition a few years back for being the first woman to drive and finish Italy’s Mille Miglia while going solo. And that’s not the only accomplishment that makes Sylvia Oberti a remarkable woman, what makes her even more special is that she has turned her racing passion into a way to raise funds and awareness for the fight against cancer.
So how did I end up there? Placing Bologna’s control stamp on Sylvia Oberti’s card as she raced past the crowds making her way through yet another edition of the Mille Miglia? Well, it was all thanks to BlogVille, the project that brought me to Bologna in the first place. The Tourism Board of the Emilia Romagna region has invited bloggers to come and stay for a few days in an apartment and experience firsthand what their region has to offer.
During my stay in Bologna I got to do and see some pretty amazing things, and my experience at the Mille Miglia was another highlight of my trip to this wonderful red city. For more information about the Mille Miglia, check out their website. And if you’d like to see more photos about my time in Bologna, please visit my SmugMug gallery.
Share and Enjoy
Frankie (Bird)
May 21, 2012 -
Ah wicked post! Lovely to relive a great experience and the photos are fab – will try to send you some of mine ASAP x
nomadbiba
May 21, 2012 -
Frankie!!! Thanks you! It was so nice to share this experience with you girls! I’ll also send you the link to the album with the rest of the photos soon. And btw, thanks again for taking my photos while I was going crazy with the stamping! Enjoy the rest of your stay in Bologna!
Elsa Escolar
May 23, 2012 -
It seems you had a fabulous time … happy for you !!! Fantastic cars and the pics are great !!! I’ve never seen a flowering artichoke nor asparagus as thick as those…. Mmmmmmm!!!! XOXO
nomadbiba
May 29, 2012 -
Yes, mami! I’m enjoying Italy very, very much! Love you!!!
Megan @ Roamancing
May 27, 2012 -
I’ve never been one for cars, but those are some gorgeous old cars! Looks like you had a great time!
nomadbiba
May 29, 2012 -
Oh, yes I did! It was quite an experience and sort of unexpected too! Also, there is a lot of love for vintage cars around here; so it’s hard not to get excited as well :)
Wendy Verlaine
Jun 18, 2012 -
Love this article! You must have had a divine time!
I will be meeting Sylvia Oberti this coming week, and can’t wait to ask her about her experience at Mille Miglia.
Wish I had been there!
nomadbiba
Jun 19, 2012 -
Thanks Wendy! Yes, I had a great time that day! If you post about your meeting with pilotessa Oberti, please do send me the link; I’d love to read it!
Matthew Hutchins
Jun 23, 2012 -
Love those old cars.
nomadbiba
Jun 25, 2012 -
Then you’d have loved the Mille Miglia! There were some really good looking machines :)
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