What car: Drive to Amalfi to get married

[rufusgti]

I've been thinking about our wedding today. We want to get married in the town of Amalfi in Italy. I had a nice idea. Instead of flying over and checking in. We could drive down, camping on the way. Really minimal, basic lightweight camping for 3 or 4 days would be an amazing contrast to arriving in Amalfi and checking into a wonderfull hotel. We both enjoy camping and have done plenty of it. I suggested it to the Beef but she said no way, as her MX5 has no aircon. She remembers the red hot leather in the little Lancia we hired a few years back.
I still fancy it and don't mind buying something short term for the trip. I had one of these in mind.



What would you choose for this trip? Must have a boot!!!

[iva cosworth]

I am guessing that the plan is for summer wedding ?

so i would like to point out an MX5 IS a convertable

[MrCippo]

I would get a s2000, they come in cheap these days...

[TRUENOSAM]

Jaguar XK8 or XKR is speed is on your mind.

That would be my first choice. Pace Grace and Space

[crankedup]

An original Mini Cooper 'S'.

[rufusgti]

crankedup said:

An original Mini Cooper 'S'.

Possibly the least appealing choice ever?

Love the idea of an xk.

[Twincam16]

Definitely an XK, especially as early ones are down in the £5k bracket these days. Unlike the Merc, the J-gate will allow easier semi-automatic gearchanges, making any twisties more fun too.

[rufusgti]

iva cosworth said:

I am guessing that the plan is for summer wedding ?

so i would like to point out an MX5 IS a convertable

Ye, but no air con. I know i know.

[joncon]

we went to tuscany in 2008, in tvr without aircon , wifey said never again !(without a/c)
to this end , she has just purchased a saab 93 convertible, 1.9 tdi.
off camping next summer to south of france

Edited by joncon on Monday 13th December 20:00

[herewego]

Do tents have aircon?

[jonno990]

Older model would be cooler though even without the air-con.
When in Rome so to speak.

Edited by jonno990 on Monday 13th December 20:17

[PedantLosesGrip]

rufusgti said:

I've been thinking about our wedding today. We want to get married in the town of Amalfi in Italy. I had a nice idea. Instead of flying over and checking in. We could drive down, camping on the way. Really minimal, basic lightweight camping for 3 or 4 days would be an amazing contrast to arriving in Amalfi and checking into a wonderfull hotel. We both enjoy camping and have done plenty of it. I suggested it to the Beef but she said no way, as her MX5 has no aircon. She remembers the red hot leather in the little Lancia we hired a few years back.
I still fancy it and don't mind buying something short term for the trip. I had one of these in mind.

What would you choose for this trip? Must have a boot!!!

Can I suggest that however much you both love camping, dates around weddings occupy a "special place" in other halves minds...

PLenty of really, really good gite/farmhouse style B&Bs in France that won't break the bank - romantic style get aways. Michelin do a guide book on them, and they are all good; no weather to worry about or food.

Are you buying it for a month, or renting?

If buying then Audi A4 conv makes for nice cruising. As does a Saab 93 convertible.

Or for more fun, an Alfa V6, Audi A8 4.2 (decatted) or if budget allows, a BMW Alpina 3.2 or BMW 550i shouldn't lose too much in a month.

[Police State]

rufusgti said:

I've been thinking about our wedding today. We want to get married in the town of Amalfi in Italy. I had a nice idea. Instead of flying over and checking in. We could drive down, camping on the way. Really minimal, basic lightweight camping for 3 or 4 days would be an amazing contrast to arriving in Amalfi and checking into a wonderfull hotel. We both enjoy camping and have done plenty of it. I suggested it to the Beef but she said no way, as her MX5 has no aircon. She remembers the red hot leather in the little Lancia we hired a few years back.
I still fancy it and don't mind buying something short term for the trip. I had one of these in mind.



What would you choose for this trip? Must have a boot!!!

If you are going to Amalfi, do at least two things.

1. Book a romantic meal up on Ravello.
2. Sneak out in the wee hours and do a rapid drive from Salerno to Sorrento.
(but be sensible, some of those bends and drops can be lethal...)

[Cecil]

camping on the way to your wedding, have you run this past the missus yet ?

[k-ink]

Are you sure your other half wants to dump in a plastic bucket leading up to her wedding day? It might be worth checking first...

[Sneaky Schnell]

I have driven around the Amalfi Coast. It was interesting and somewhat exciting but not in the way I expected. The roads are very twisty and mostly low speed. Most of the bends have mirrors so you can see what is coming towards you as there are many coaches winding their way around.

What ever car you take make sure you are not too precious about it as you might get a few bumps. Also, I know it might seem obvious but make sure you are fully insured to travel in Italy. I have heard of some insurance companies excluding Italy on their European cover.

Congratulations and have a great time.

[davepoth]

There's no point taking a big fast car down narrow bendy roads. There'll be no room for the drivers of original 500s and pandas to squeeze past you at mental speeds. Take the MX5 and buy her a portable fan.

[rufusgti]

Police State said:

If you are going to Amalfi, do at least two things.

1. Book a romantic meal up on Ravello.
2. Sneak out in the wee hours and do a rapid drive from Salerno to Sorrento.
(but be sensible, some of those bends and drops can be lethal...)

1. done
2. done

We had a great time there in 2007 and can't wait to go back. We hired a speedboat from the harbour and shot off up the coast. I'm not sure they still have them.

I'm loving that old Alfa, but being a wedding it really has to be reliable. The saab or audi cabs don't really float it. Im pretty much set on the XK i think. I've wanted one for years and they're sensible money these days. The mercs nice but it's a bit badass for a wedding trip. The fiancee likes the jags too.

Also, whoever mentioned the gites. Thats a good idea. But i'm drawn toward the contrast of camping for a few days before rocking up at my hotel. We'll see.

[rufusgti]

Cecil said:

camping on the way to your wedding, have you run this past the missus yet ?

Ye. I've given her the rundown. She at present is flat out refusing. But I'm pretty good at mental manipulation. Or wittering on and on and on about how great it would be untill she's exhausted by my determination and either gives in, or marries someone else.

We would have a few days in Amalfi before the wedding. We wouldnt just rock up with grass staines on our arses and half eaten burnt sausages stuffed in her handbag.

[PedantLosesGrip]

Here you go:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Guesthouses-France-Micheli...

Excellent book, some very, very nice places... think unique places with wine cellar and pool rather than B&B... great to rock up with in a V8...