Our very own Ferrari 288 GTO Tour, organised by Tom Hartley Jnr and good friend, Ryder Cup hero, Ian Poulter, was in celebration of the model’s 35th anniversary.
The aim was to showcase the car in scenery that would do it justice. This first-ever tour was aimed exclusively for owners of the beautiful Ferrari 288 GTO and it was Tom Hartley Jnr and Ian Poulter’s inaugural event as hosts.
From Burgundy in Provence to the infamous Casino Square in Monte Carlo, Tom Hartley Jnr and his team pulled out all the stops to make this a trip of a lifetime.
On Friday the 21st of June, 10 Ferrari owners and their co-drivers arrived
at one of the most picturesque Châteaux in all of France, Château de Bagnols. The tour participants were greeted with cocktails and a fabulous gourmet dinner on the terrace.
Before the tyres hit the tarmac the following morning, the drivers were briefed and given a researched route book with turn-by-turn directions.
At 9:30am the 288 GTO Tour flag was raised, and the cars set off on their spectacular 200-mile route south on the rural roads through the rolling hills of southern Burgundy and into Provence. After a full day of stunning roads, the tour arrived at the 5-star hideaway, Le Couvent de Minimes was met by a glass, or two, of local rosé , a game of pétanque, cocktails and a gourmet dinner in the tranquil surroundings.
The penultimate day of this incredible event took the 288’s east across the heart of Provence by-passing beautiful lavender fields and over fast and challenging roads through the Verdon national park. The cars then descended to stunning Col de Vence before arriving at the magical hotel, Chateau Saint-Martin. Cocktails and gourmet dinner took place on the terrace with incredible views stretching to Nice and Antibes.
The final day of driving took our party to the Alpes-Maritimes on quiet roads with open views and fast, sweeping corners. Lunch was served at one of the most famous restaurants in France, the Colombe d’Or in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. For the finale, the convoy made its way to Casino Square, Monte Carlo. Casino Square was filled with people to welcome the Tour. After being greeted by a champagne reception, which marked the end of the tour, there was a special trip to the Monaco Opera house. Followed by farewell dinner for the participants at the famous restaurant, Cipriani and then an overnight stay at the Hotel de Paris before departure the next day.
