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Day 9 of the Fast Lane Travel French Kiss Porsche Fest

Participants had some time to relax this morning before heading to the Porsche Museum. But first, we made our way to a nearby COVID testing center to make sure all the participants would be able to return home. Everyone tested negative…

Once on Porsche Platz (appropriately named for the circle comprising the Porsche factory, museum and dealership), we were treated to a lunch at the Chritophorus Restaurant located on the top floor of the Porsche museum.

Later on, our private guide took us to the main areas of the museum. Shopping at the boutique and dealership ended our afternoon before a superb dinner with an amazing view of Stuttgart’s SchlossPlatz in the heart of the main pedestrian district.

Our wonderful trip is coming to an end. Warm wishes and congratulations were in order for all participants. ...

Day 8 of the Fast Lane Travel French Kiss Porsche Fest

Frost was covering the windows of our Porsches as we left Burgundy this morning, and after such a peaceful and comfortable night at the Abbaye we did not want to leave

As we made our way back to Germany, the sunny weather stayed with us all day, just as it did all week, perfect for a beautiful lunch on the terrace of our quaint restaurant in the Black Forest.
Once we finished our German desserts, we made our way back to the autobahn via a wonderful mountain road with challenging tight corners and hairpins followed by one last 150 MPH run.
Unfortunately, it was time to return our Porsches in Stuttgart and check back in to our 5 star hotel in the heart of the city center.

A marvelous meal was appreciated by all in and dessert was served in the vault of our typical regional restaurant accompanied by ice wine. What a treat ! ...

Day 7 of the Fast Lane Travel French Kiss Porsche Fest

Unfortunately, it was time to leave Saint-Tropez today and drive North to the Burgundy region of France.

After a short stop for lunch around the capital of French gastronomy, Lyon, we arrived at our 5 star hotel in the heart of the Bourgogne area, the Abbaye de la Bussiere. This establishment was the home of Cisterian monks for almost 800 years and is now one of the most spectacular hotel in the world.
Once we settled in, our Burgundy wine expert showed us how to properly taste wines and explained the differences between the cépages.
We then ate wonderful Michelin star dinner accompanied by, of course, incredible Burgundy wines, such as Pouligny-Montrachet and Romané Conti.
Have a peaceful night in this palace of relaxation and joie de vivre. ...

Day 6 of the Fast Lane Travel French Kiss Porsche Fest

Today was a day to relax and explore Saint-Tropez. Some participants took advantage of our 5 star hotel amenities, others walked the town and shop the numerous boutiques with plenty of specialty items to bring home, while others ate a crepe on the famous port.

We ended the day with a dinner at the very exclusive Bruno restaurant with a 6 course truffle meal. Delicious. ...

Day 5 of the Fast Lane Travel French Kiss Porsche Fest

And yet, another beautiful day as we depart Monaco for our drive to famous Saint-Tropez. Our Porsches had been washed and the sunshine of the French Riviera was reflecting on our Porsches.

Arriving in Saint-Tropez, lunch was served on the rooftop of our 5 star hotel with the Mediterranean Sea in the background. The sun was shining, the yachts were sparkling, the port was buzzing, and the ambiance of this small fishing village dating back to the 13th century welcoming.

Time to relax before a typical Provence Pastis aperitif and Rosé wine served while playing a game of Pétanque.on the famous Place des Lyces.
Everyone had a ton of fun and received prizes.

It was then time to head for the port for a delicious dinner by the seaside.

Tomorrow will be a day to relax, enjoy the spa at our hotel, shop the numerous boutiques, take a drive in the backcountry or soak up the sun at the beach. ...

Day 4 of the Fast Lane Travel French Kiss Porsche Fest

As the cars were parked in full display in front of the Casino of Monte-Carlo (a very coveted spot), the participants were treated to breakfast with an incredible view of the Mediterranean Sea from the top floor of the Hotel de Paris as the sun was rising.

All were excited to drive up to the challenging Col de Turini at over 5,000 feet and experience what drivers of the Rally of Monte-Carlo feel during the legendary rally.
Our 2021 Porsche 911s performed flawlessly during the climb as lunch was waiting for us at the top of the mountain.

Once we made our way back to Monaco, we took a private guided tour of the Principality and of the cathedral where Grace Kelly became a Princess when she married SAS Rainier Grimaldi.
We then proceeded to the top floor of our hotel (Hotel de Paris) to dine at the Michelin star restaurant Le Grill; a perfect ending to a perfect day.

Tomorrow we are departing Monaco and heading to the famous town of Saint-Tropez. Maybe we will get to meet Brigitte Bardot … ...

Day 2 of the Fast Lane Travel French Kiss Porsche Fest

What a perfect day for driving on the no-speed-limit autobahn this morning; Sunny, 65 degrees and moderate traffic on our way south via the A81. Everyone is now an official member of our 150 MPH club (and above at 165 MPH). Congratulations !

A wonderful lunch was served on Lake Konstanz, then, an unexpected detour took us to the heart of Switzerland with incredible scenic roads via the second longest tunnel in the world (over 10 miles long).
Fortunately, our 5 star hotel was expecting us and our Porsches.
We ended our first driving day with a cocktail on the hotel’s garden terrace overlooking Lake Lugano, followed by a sumptuous dinner served with delicious regional wines. What a day… ...

And here we go … The 2021 Fast Lane Travel French Kiss Porsche Tour has started with the early arrival group in Stuttgart. Early evening cocktails & dinner were enjoyed by all. This is a time to meet your group mates, get to know each other and talk about the fantastic journey ahead.
In the mean time and to be on the safe side in order to enter 4 countries in the coming week, everyone took a Covid test to show at the border in addition to our CDC vaccination cards.
Excitement is building up, our Porsches are being delivered and we can’t wait to get on the autobahn. All the participants are looking forward to receiving their 150MPH credentials !!!!! ...

Day 12 Leipzig - Thursday, September 16, 2021 - Today was our last driving day and we turned the cars back over to AVIS after we went on our last day-trip to the German Prison Camp, Castle Colditz. We had a guided tour of this amazing facility that was the inspiration for the TV show Hogan's Heroes. The Escape Museum was amazing, seeing how and what the prisoners used to attempt their escapes. Even having fake prisoners marching with them so that the guards would not realize someone was missing. One of the boldest ideas to be worked on was an escape by glider to freedom. Most of the prisoners housed there were pilots. After the tour we took a leisurely lunch at Water Castle Podelwitz before heading back to Leipzig. As with any rental cars we had to bring them back full of gas which is about $7.50 a gallon in Europe. Our Farewell Dinner was in the hotel restaurant and we had final toasts with Grappa. We were all happy that our PCR Covid tests came back Negative and we could fly home to the USA. ...

Day 11 Gaussig to Leipzig - Wednesday, September 15, 2021 - Today we said goodbye to the Countess and Castle Gaussig and drove back to Leipzig to our destination, the Steigenberger Grand Hotel Handelshof. Enroute we stopped at the Water Castle Klaffenback for lunch. We rushed lunch a bit as we had an appointment for our PCR Covid tests later in the afternoon that we could not miss. We made it in time and all got tested. We would know the results within 24 hours. Cocktails and dinner were at the amazing and historic Auerbachs Keller a short walk from our hotel. Auerbachs Keller is the most famous and the second oldest restaurant in Leipzig. It was one of the best spots for wine in the 16th century. ...

Day 10 Gaussig to Dresden - Tuesday, September 14, 2021 - This day we gave the Porsches a rest and boarded a bus to Dresden for a day sightseeing trip and lunch. After the tour our guide dropped us off at our lunch stop. The food was delicious and like most of Germany, the portions were huge. The goulash was exceptionally tasty. Bob and Linda were full just from looking at their meals, but Don says there is always room for dessert. After lunch we were on our own to explore, take pictures or just sit at a sidewalk café and people watch until the bus came to take us back to Castle Gaussig. What a wonderful day... Dresden is beautiful. ...

Day 9 Fleesensee to Gaussig - Monday, September 13, 2021 - Departing Fleesensee, the Romantic Hotel Castle Gaussig was our next destination for 2 nights. When we arrived we were received by Marlies Countess von Brühl-Pohl. She was so gracious inviting us into her 'weekend' home for our 2-night stay. After freshening up, the countess took us on a tour of the castle which is complete with its own Chapel. Cocktail hour gave us a chance to better know the Countess and her chef prepared the most exquisite meal for dinner. We all slept soundly in our elegant rooms. ...

Day 8 Fleesensee - Sunday, September 12, 2021 - Free Day at Castle Fleesensee or Schlosshotel Fleesensee - Schloss Fleesensee is a grand castle hotel set in the natural surroundings of Lake Plateau in Mecklenburg. As before on our free day everyone was free to do their own thing. Spa treatments, massages, strolling though the local village and shops and even driving their Porsches sightseeing. We all met for cocktails and like most dinners that evening the Sommelier paired amazing local German wines with our meal. Since most of us ordered the filet mignon with French fries, the chef elevated them with truffle oil and parmesan cheese. Delicious! An after dinner stroll though the gardens revealed these enchanting illuminated benches. ...

Day 7 Heiligendamm to Peenemünde to Fleesensee - Saturday, September 11, 2021 - The 20th anniversary of 911 was on our minds as we departed the Grand Hotel Heiligendamm and drove to the Historical Technical Museum in Peenemünde. The site known for the Peenemünde Army Research Center, where the world's first functional large-scale liquid-propellant rocket, the V-2, was developed. Our retired NASA Rocket Scientist Frank was was in his element. Frank and his son Keith stayed behind to spend the afternoon touring the facility and its exhibits in detail as the rest of the group went to lunch and onto Castle Fleesensee. Frank and Keith met us for cocktails and dinner. ...