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Life in Italy, Italian Language, Italian Culture, Italy News, Tourism News, Italian Food

Speed Cameras in Italy: A Tourist’s Guide

As the saying goes, Country you go, custom you find . Speed cameras are the number one enemy of motorists , whether they are casual vacationers or professional truck drivers. Fortunately, we now have various tactics and tricks that allow us to know the specific positions of these terrible detectors ahead of time. Stratagems that would have done somersaults 50 years ago.

In this article, I’ll show you how to travel more comfortably without having to worry about where the speed cameras are before you set off.

Italy has the most Speed Cameras

Italy has a lot of records. Here is Europe’s oldest university, founded in Bologna in 1088, as well as the Capitular Library of Verona , built in 517. Unfortunately for all motorists, not everything that glitters is gold. Italy has as many as 11,060-speed cameras, making it the European country with the most speed detection systems .

But don’t be too concerned; they are not evenly dispersed over the territory and are often very scarce in tiny towns.

Which cities should receive special attention?

Any driver would appreciate an answer. Well, the online comparator Facile.it has evaluated official data from fines for speeding violations. The city of Florence leads the ranking of disobedient citizens , with a revenue of 13.2 million euros in 2022 alone (not including other traffic offenses). Milan comes in second with 13 million euros , followed by Genoa with 11 million .

Not all Speed Cameras are the same

Some life-saving tips for the novice or simply those who do not know the regulations of the road must be included in this guide. Speed cameras are not all the same : when it comes to fixed stations, it is critical to understand the distinctions in order to avoid accidents, paranoia, or unneeded stress.

If you come across an orange speed camera while driving through the lovely country’s urban or suburban streets, you should realize that they do not constitute a hazard in most circumstances. They often lack speed sensors and are used to attract the attention of the driver . They can only issue fines with a patrol nearby, according to the statutes in effect. So keep your eyes alert and your guard up on the road! Always!

In the event of blue speed cameras , the scenario changes. These employ digital infrared cameras that may be remotely monitored , allowing for instant infringement litigation. To travel safely, you must be aware of the current road conditions and alter your speed accordingly. Keep these suggestions in mind if you happen to be nearby.

How to Identify Speed Cameras in Advance

Italy’s record is unfortunate, but you should not be upset. The State Police make public the road sections where the detectors are in use . The speed camera list is updated weekly and might be extremely useful.

If you want to travel with more peace of mind, I propose using some extremely useful applications to receive warnings near speed cameras while on the road. The most popular in Italy is the Coyote app, which enhances your experience with frequent traffic updates. A fantastic lifesaver if you’re in an area where you don’t know where the speed cameras are!

Instead, I would suggest using the Waze app. Although I prefer the classic Google Maps when I need to drive, Waze has piqued my interest. Google bought it in 2013, and you can think of it as an extension of Google Maps. It indicates the presence of permanent and mobile speed cameras, as well as traffic interruptions and sudden slowdowns. This dear friend can assist you in driving 360 degrees with a unique eye for anticipating speed cameras.

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The Italian speed camera that made 10 million euro per month

The little village of Acquetico is located in the north of Italy. In Liguria, not far from the French border. The village is in the hills overlooking the sea. The roads are amazing, some of the best in the region. This attracts a lot of fast cars and motorcycles - not just from Italy, but also from France and Monaco.

The whole area is a Mecca for both sports cars and motorcycles . During the summer and especially on the weekends it is the same atmosphere as on the Nürburgring.

A very popular road runs right through the village. As many of the 120 residents often complained about reckless driving, the mayor was forced to act. In the spring of 2018 he therefore set up a speeding camera at the village's only pedestrian crossing.

Two weeks later came the first report. He couldn't believe his eyes. The speed camera had caught 58 568 speeding violations .

One in three cars drove faster than the speed limit, which is 50 km/h. The fastest car did 135 km/h through the village. Many drivers had several fines. Some had two every day. One in the morning and one in the evening. One thing was certain - there was no respect for the law. It was full throttle through the village with complete disregard for the zebra crossing.

Rumours say that the average fine was 85 euros. The total amount the camera had collected was almost EUR 5 million - in just fourteen days. An incredible amount of money for a village with only 120 inhabitants.

In an interview, the mayor jokingly declares that he thinks it's a shame they are driving much slower now . After some fantastic months with many millions of euros in the municipal account, the situation is more normal today. People drive carefully through the village and the revenue is on par with other speed cameras in the country.

Had it continued in the same crazy style as the first fourteen days, the village's small camera would have raked in ten million euros per month. A considerable amount of money that would far had exceeded the entire village budget - several times over.

The mayor explains that it would then be possible to build a tennis hall and a water park for the villagers. They would have been able to invest in Northern Italy's best preschool and offer free garbage collection and free electricity for all households. They could have had their own medical center with a private doctor and an ambulance helicopter on standby. They could also have sent all children from the village to expensive universities abroad.

At the same time, they could have lowered the village tax rate to zero . If the crazy rate of speeding through the village would have continued, then the camera would have generated a whooping 80 000 EUR per inhabitant per month. The entire village's operations could have been financed by a speed camera that cost 11,800 euros to install.

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The Grand Tour: Series 1, Episode 11 – Italian Lessons

• The Grand Tour tent is in Loch Ness, Scotland.
• Richard power tests the Fiat Abarth 124 Spider at the Ebola Drome.
• The boys head to France for a Cheap Car Challenge with three used Maseratis.

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Episode Guide

The tent is on the shore of Loch Ness. Hammond test drives the new Fiat Abarth 124 Spider at the Eboladrome.

To prove that a second-hand Maserati priced under £8,000 are a better buy than a Ford Focus, the presenters travel to Circuit de Croix-en-Ternois in France for a series of tests with Clarkson’s Biturbo S Coupé, Hammond’s 430 Saloon, and May’s Zagato Spyder. Because May injured his right arm prior to the challenge, he bought an automatic variant. The presenters then embark on a road trip through Northern France. Following some breakdowns on Clarkson’s side, the trio play on the beach before travelling to Honfleur, where they encounter extremely narrow roads on their way to their hotel.

The next morning, they race back to England via the Port of Le Havre, with the loser selling his Maserati. Clarkson’s Biturbo dies, but he continues the race with it on a tow truck. He reaches the ferry port, but discovers that his Biturbo fell off the tow truck while chasing Hammond. May launches his Spyder toward a boat and crashes in spectacular fashion.The presenters conclude that buying a second-hand Maserati will result in a 66% chance of it working.

For “Celebrity Brain Crash”, Chris Hoy rows toward the tent, but his boat hits an underwater mine. To fill in the time, Clarkson uses a Bulgarian man to demonstrate a new hands-free system for any car and a Thai woman as an inexpensive massaging back seat.

Eboladrome Lap Times

Fiat Abarth 124 Spider 1:33:7 (wet)

0:00:17 – The cars in the titles are an AC 3000ME, a Hillman Avenger Tiger, and a Hillman Super Minx.

0:01:24 – Body of water fact alert! Loch Ness is over 22 miles long, almost 2 miles wide at its widest point, and up to 744 feet deep. By volume, it’s the largest lake in the British Isles.

0:02:20 – Buick was founded by David Dunbar Buick who was born in Arbroath, Scotland in 1854.

0:02:24 – John Paul Jones, the ‘father of the American Navt’, was born in South Western Scotland in 1747.

0:06:37 – The Abarth 124 Spider has a 1.4-litre turbocharged four cylinder engine making 168 horsepower. It can go from 0-62 in 6.8 seconds and has a top speed of 143mph.

0:07:23 – Abarth was a sports car maker and tuning shop, founded in 1949. It was bought by Fiat in 1971 and these days is to Fiat what AMG are to Mercedes or the M Division is to BMW.

0:13:20 – Nerdery cheat note – The Barchetta was Fiat’s last two-seater sports car, made from 1995 until 2005. In Italian its name means ‘little boat’.

0:14:31 – Jeremy is referring to John Cobb who was killed in 1952 while attempting to set a new water speed record on Loch Ness in a jet powered speedboat.

0:15:28 – A car with an open front and a closed rear interior is called a coupe de ville, a town car or a sedanca. If you knew this, award yourself 20 nerd points.

0:21:00 – The race track in the Maserati film is Circuit de Croix-en-Ternois.

0:21:35 – Jeremy’s Maserati is a 1987 Biturbo S. It has a 2-litre, twin turbo V6 engine making 217 horsepower. When it was new, it could go from 0-62 in 5.7 seconds and had a top speed of 142mph.

0:21:54 – The Ford Cortina – a very boxy and boring British saloon car from the 1960s and ’70s. And a bit of the ’80s.

0:22:19 – Richard’s Maserati is a 1988 430. Which is basically a Biturbo. It has a 2.8-litre twin turbo V6 engine which originally produced 221 horsepower. In its day it could cover 0-62 in 5.3 seconds and on to a top speed of 145mph.

0:23:38 – James’s Maserati is a 1989 Biturbo Zagato Spyder. It has the same 2.8-litre twin turbo V6 engine as Richard’s car and also makes 221 horsepower. However, thanks to its greater weight and automatic gearbox, it takes 6.4 seconds to go from 0-62 and has a top speed of 137mph.

0:23:47 – James May broke his arm after falling over, he was on the way back from the pub but he swears that had nothing to do with it.

0:24:32 – The Suzuki Celeryio has a 1-litre three cylinder engine making 67 horsepower. It has a top speed of 96mph and a 0-62 time of 13.5 seconds.

0:30:43 – Doncaster – a town in South Yorkshire, northern England, not known in the 1960s for its large population of Maseratis. Or indeed any Maseratis at all.

0:34:22 – Sir Chris Hoy – Olympic hold medal winning cyclist, racing driver, backwards rowing enthusiast.

0:38:52 – Massaging rear seats in the current BMW 7-series are a £895 option.

0:39:55 – Jeremy’s opening to part 2 of the Maserati film is a homage to the VW Golf GTI ‘Casino’ ad, first shown in the UK in 1987. Although the last line is a tribute to ’70s Brit sit-com Fawlty Towers. Mmm, references.

0:42:47 – The first written reference to Honfleur dates back to 1027, several years before the Maserati Biturbo was designed.

0:50:09 – “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” – Matthew 20:16. Another valuable lesson from Reverend James May.

0:52:10 – The crew car Jeremy uses as a brake is a Land Rover Discovery, the Grand Tour tracking car of choice thanks to its split tailgate which stops the expensive camera falling out. And also the cameraman.

0:54:45 – Jeremy’s small truck as a Renault Master dCi120. It has a 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine making 118 horsepower.

0:57:58 – One of the seats from James’s Maserati was salvaged and now lives in the Grand Tour office as a stylish and slightly smelly easy chair.

Screenshots

2017 Porsche 911 Turbo Review

Fiat 500s – sporty just got better, related posts, the grand tour: series 1, episode 13 – past v future, the grand tour: series 1, episode 12 – [censored] to [censored], the grand tour: series 1, episode 10 – dumb fight at the o.k. coral, the grand tour: series 1, episode 9 – berks to the future, the grand tour: series 1, episode 8 – the beach (buggy) boys part 2, the grand tour: series 1, episode 7 – the beach (buggy) boys part 1.

The point is you have to know these cars to understand them. There’s far too much power for the rest of the car to handle and that is why they’re so intriguing. Pioneering technology of the time with massive performance and the servicing to go with all of that. People didn’t understand this sort of technology in a mass produced car. The ear;y ones were riddles with problems, the later version became the cars they should have been in the first place. Awesome. Anybody that wants to understand these cars watch Davide Cironi’s review on youtube.

https://www.google.it/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DlCk9tl5tSR8&ved=0ahUKEwiCwfKV59_RAhUKEiwKHX-hCVgQo7QBCCEwAA&usg=AFQjCNEhWo6AeGnJpmlSnlJ2nkO1FZb9Pg&sig2=YkvkCth-ws7u0tLRJMZ56Q

Those 30 years old biturbo also if in not in great shape from the start that proofed to be extremely strong and unbreakable after all the abuse they went through….. A BMW m3 or a Mercedes 190 2..3 they probably would explode under this type of tritment. Any how Jeremy can’t make up his mind on these cars since he is praising a 222 24v in this old top gear video..

You could kinda tell what was going to happen at the end of the race because it was similar to when Jeremy tried to catch the ferry in that clio in Belfast on TG

Also when James died in Albania trying to catch the ferry after the bank robbery.

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The Grand Tour – The Small Camera Story

Posted on Mar 7, 2017 by Julian Mitchell

While the ARRI AMIRAs give The Grand Tour the large vistas, the minicams shoot the in-car reviews and essential guy banter. On the outside of the cars there’s more of a balancing act

If you have seen the fantastic new The Grand Tour car show, you will realise that the in-car shots are as important as all the other types. You get the oohs and aahs of how good or bad the cars are as they’re driving them. Then there’s the banter, very important for this show.

Within the workings of the new programme these cameras need to follow well-defined parameters. They need to be 4K for a start, they need to have a locked exposure for the changing lighting, you need to know they are recording and they need to survive whatever is thrown at them throughout the series.

All this responsibility has been taken on by Jon Shepley of CreoKinetics. Jon is another ex- Top Gear operator where he worked for about five years with Extreme Facilities, who are currently still working for Top Gear . “The biggest challenge was the fact that it was being shot in 4K, in my field of minicams that really forces your hand as in what equipment is available. Although 4K wasn’t particularly new there’s still little in terms of small cameras that will actually shoot that. They also wanted to get a more cinematic look to it so cameras like the HD Toshibas that we used to use weren’t good enough. Because they’ve got tiny sensors they’ve got that infinite depth-of-field and they look quite video-y and nasty. So we ended up using the Panasonic GH4s which have been fantastic. They’ve never let me down and have done a tough year of filming.

“We bought 12 GH4s with three needed per car when the presenters are in there, plus some spares. With the GH4 you can dial in the frame rate we ended up using, but initially you couldn’t shoot for more than 30 minutes with this camera which wouldn’t have worked. This was because of the European tax banding for video cameras. So I had to buy all the cameras from the USA where they weren’t time limited. Panasonic has since brought out the R version which is a Pro version of the camera carrying the V-Log as standard as a colour profile and unlimited record time. The V-Log was another reason for going that way, I think we only shot the first couple of videos in Cine-D which was the colour space we started with. We got V-Log before it was generally available so thanks to Panasonic as it gives us lots of latitude.”

Series Two plans

Although the GH4s record internally there are plans in place for series two that will give Jon some redundancy and less sleepless nights. “I’ve got these recorder boxes which we will be using in series two. We will be cabling the cameras down to Sound Devices recorders. The main reason for that is actually to save in post-production time because we can record in ProRes 422. So it will be the same as the main cameras, the ingest is then a far simpler process.

“The biggest challenge in using these cameras for the show is that you’ll start the cameras off for pieces to camera, and sometimes you won’t see the car again for two or three hours so it has to keep recording for as long as possible. The cards in them record up to five hours but have to be reliable and maintain exposure for all that time on the presenter’s face. That was the main reason to go for the GH4 because there’s a movable spot meter, so you can adjust the size of this overlay box and drag it around the screen. If you make the box roughly the same size as the presenter’s head, drag it over their face and it will automatically maintain exposure over that area.

“It’s a fantastic camera – we looked at all the options – Sony was very keen for us to use the A7S II which wasn’t even out at the time but it had the same problem as the other cameras. It didn’t have this feature where you could guarantee reasonable exposure over the presenter’s face.”

Small lens choice

With usually such small spaces to shoot in inside these hyper cars, lens choice becomes a major factor. Long gone are the days when a GoPro extreme wide-angle shot will do.

“Lens wise we go for the shallowest depth-of-field within reason. We use variable NDs on the lenses so we can keep them fairly wide open. The lenses which we are using for the main piece to camera shot are Micro Four Thirds so when you shoot 4K it does crop in slightly tighter, a 2.3 crop, which means that you have to have a very wide lens to actually get the standard ‘ Top Gear look’, the 35mm equivalent is around 24mm.

“So we’ve ended up using the 10.5mm Voigtländer f/0.9 lenses on the GH4s for the piece to camera shots. They’re great lenses but quite heavy, which is their major drawback for us. It can be a problem in cars that vibrate a bit, like drift cars or similar vehicles.

“We try and keep the interior piece to camera lenses separate to the effects lenses on the cars mainly because they are open to a lot more abuse. We tend to use the Samyang 12mm T2.2 lenses for effect because they’re very cost-effective and incredibly good quality. These lenses easily stand up to the Voigtländers and the Kowas that we also use. We use the Kowa 8.5mm for a two shot in the car or out. The 17.5mm Voigtländer is used for a style shot or over the shoulder shots.”

Are we recording?

What keeps Jon and his team up at night is when they have pressed record on their cameras and the cars leave for what may be hours of shooting: is the camera still recording? “To trigger the GH4s we used to use Wi-Fi and extenders, but when the cars go off there is a fear, a constant fear, whether the camera is still recording and when you get it back will the footage be there. So we keep everything as simple as it can be. You could have the presenters triggering the cameras themselves but there is no feedback from cameras so although they could trigger as we had in the old systems, there’s no way of telling whether it’s recording or not. That’s one of the reasons we’ll have the recording boxes for the next series which will be such an improvement. They’ll have their own buttons once more for recording and they’ll have a light on the buttons that will tell them yes, you are recording or no, you’re not.

“Planning for the next series is a movable feast, new cameras come out like the Blackmagic Micro Studio 4K, which you get very excited about and then you find that it doesn’t do anywhere as good a job as the GH4. It’s frustrating for everyone as directors want to carry on driving things forward, but you can’t compromise reliability with anything really, that’s the key aspect. At the moment there is nothing that comes anywhere close to the GH4.

“The new GH5 will actually do 10-bit on-board so that’s very exciting. However, we’re planning to do off-board recording anyway. If it does internal and external recording that would be very interesting because then if something did go wrong with the off-board recording, we’d be safe with an on-board recording.

“The biggest problem with that is if you pull the HDMI out of the side of the camera it stops the camera from recording anything. This might happen when you’re shaking in a car. So we have to use clamps on the side of the camera to stop the cable from doing that.”

Car gripping

Apart from making sure his minicams work and match the main footage of The Grand Tour , Jon’s team also have to make sure that cameras used for effect shots grip onto the cars and then stay there.

“The whole grip thing is tricky as we’re definitely not grips! What we do is something quite different, we know rigging small cameras to cars better than anybody. Speed of rigging is the big problem – a grip rigging a camera to a car is a matter of scaffolding, which is incredible and very solid. However, we quite often have ten minutes to rig three cameras. Sometimes we would have 18 shots to do per car and we would have three cars and two hours to do it in. There is no way that you’d get a normal grip to do that kind of work.

“One of the tricky things with modern cars – and it’s becoming more of a problem – is that they’re made from more and more flimsy material. Jaguars particularly don’t really have the rigidity to the bumpers and the wings. So we end up with a rat’s nest of suction mounts and arms to spread the load across a curved surface. This is a feat of engineering in itself.”

Part of the plan for series two involves a new way of shooting from tracking cars. The DJI Ronin-MX gimbal had been released for sale only two days before it was attached to one of the safety cars for a test. What they got was a phenomenal result. “They wanted to get some forward and rear-facing tracking shots, I persuaded the director to let me put the gimbal on so we could do some tests on it. They were the best shots of the day.

“It’s designed to go onto vehicles and it has the GPS chip on it so it knows you’re going around corners. Gimbals like the MōVI and the original Ronin basically collapsed when you went around corners or tried to compensate and would give up as they just couldn’t cope with the G-forces.

“Since doing the tests I’ve been making proper mounts for it to go onto tracking cars front and back. I’ve also got a RED camera which we’ll be using on it for the next series. We’ve been using HD upscaled to 4K front tracking up until now so that will change for the next series. Speed is still the key, you have to be able to rig and de-rig it in a matter of minutes.

“Lighting wise, we used to have a light panel over by the ‘piece to camera’ camera which gave a harsh shadow effect behind the presenter’s head, which I always hated. We’ve ended up putting very thin panels in the roof lining almost in line with the interior light in a strip up the middle. It’s a much softer downlight almost like the light you’d get from a sunroof. Its look is much more diffused and natural. Remember on the GH4s you can dial in a Kelvin colour balance and with the bicolour light you can dial in the colour balance as well. The trickiest time for us is that dawn/dusk time when the light is changing and you have to use your experience to find where best guess is. You need your best compromise setting.”

The DIT Story

Joe Jamieson talks about the importance of team spirit and workflow

Before we started filming we tested a range of cameras, codecs and frame rates to identify what would look best for the upcoming show. Which cameras we shot on was a factor as the Sony F55 and ARRI AMIRAs shoot 4K at different compressions and qualities (20mins at 37GB for the Sony versus 20mins at 120GB for the AMIRA) which directly impacts the amount of data I’m dealing with. Once I knew what I was working with I could begin devising a workflow for our shoots and the series.

Overall the latitude and dynamic range of the AMIRA sensor offers up a capability that can pretty much deal with any situation it’s put in. That coupled with the versatility and ruggedness of its design is why Ben Joiner wanted to use it and I think the results have been quite exceptional. Even in the harshest of environments the AMIRAs just kept going. I don’t think there are many cameras out there that would have consistently dealt with what we’ve thrown at them.

Team spirit

On this show the reliance of working together as a cohesive team is more paramount than on anything I’ve worked on previously. Between my team we always work to keep each other rolling, both with fresh cards and rushes. This way we avoid data bottlenecks regardless of how fast we’re shooting.

This hopefully helps us stay on top of any end-of-day influxes (though that’s not always possible!) and, as I said before, we can also stay up to date with feeding back to our operators.

Technically a thorough workflow is as important as your previous work and experience. With the amount of cameras, cards and data we work with daily it could so easily be a nightmare for everyone. The fact that it hasn’t been is largely down to a solid amount of research, planning and a good system but also the importance of how well this team works together. We are aware of where each of our roles interact, we shoot at such a pace and are in and out of locations and destinations so quickly that it all has to work and stay on the rails. I think for me that’s the most impressive thing about being part of it.

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Legends and Luggage

• Edit source
• View history
• 1.1.1 Film (1)
• 1.1.2 Film (2)
• 1.2 Track Test
• 1.3 Conversation Street

Segments [ ]

Film(s) [ ], film (1) [ ].

May celebrates the 50th Birthday of the legendary Porsche 917 in Portugal with Dickie Attwood.

Film (2) [ ]

Clarkson and Hammond each Build a Motorised Suitcase which test at Standsted Airport.

Track Test [ ]

Clarkson looks at two Modernised Lancia's, the Delta Futurista and the MAT Stratos at the Eboladrome.

Conversation Street [ ]

Sting:  Clarkson's head falls off.

Clarkson brings up how fast fish are. They find it weird that cars are not named after fish. Until they ask the audience, that is, who bring up examples such as the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Plymouth Barracuda and Opel Manta. Clarkson talks about a city in Italy with a speed camera and the amazing amount of people who broke the limit. In the UK however a man put a fake speed camera on the side of he's house near the highway; also about the man getting a message to take it down because it was 'distracting' and they take a vote with the audience to have them all taken down. May brings up the Peugeot e-Legend, designed to look like the 504 Coupe, Clarkson thinks it looks like the 505 GTI. Hammond brings up that Peugeot makes dreary crap. Clarkson brings up 'moped thieves'. The police came up with a solution to just ram them. Clarkson thinks they should ram all motorcyclists because encountering one is quite severe.

• 1 Hammond's Rimac Crash
• 2 Mike Skinner

• Hybrids & EVs
• Motorsports
• Tips, Tricks & Trends

‘The Grand Tour’: Five Moments To Cherish as the Curtain Closes

If you’re a fan of Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond, you’ll know that the trio has decided to end “The Grand Tour.” It’s bittersweet news for the show’s fanbase. On the one hand, enthusiasts won’t have any more content from the beloved celebrities. However, we can revel in the fact that Clarkson and company have logged over 20 years of automotive shenanigans for viewers to enjoy. 

The Amazon Prime Video show reunited the three world-famous petrolheads after a falling out forced them off the BBC set of “Top Gear” in 2015. The trio didn’t stay off-camera for long, though. The three were back to reviewing cars in a year. Well, with the show ending, we look back at some of our favorite moments beyond the beautifully crafted shots of the latest cars. 

“The Excellent”

• Creating a coral reef
• Racing supercars from the past, present, and future
• Breaking a speed record with an amphibious car
• Creating a path through the Highlands

In Season 1, Episode 9 of “The Grand Tour,” Jeremy Clarkson “sympathetically marries” the chassis and drivetrain of a Mk 1 Land Rover Discovery with the admittedly lovely body of an R107 Mercedes-Benz SL. “The Excellent,” as Clarkson deemed it, is an exciting prospect. I’m afraid it was less than spectacular in execution. 

Creating a coral reef didn’t go so well for the ambitious trio at ‘The Grand Tour’

Season 1, Episode 10 pits Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May against the clear, aquamarine waters of Barbados. They had a bizarre mission: sink bare-metal husks of popular cars to jumpstart a coral reef ecosystem. As expected, everything goes wrong, and the team ends up accomplishing very little of their mission.

‘The Grand Tour’ had no shortage of supercars, but these three demonstrate diversity

“The Grand Tour” starts with a hypercar holy trinity in the pilot. However, season 2, episode 1 begins with an automotive juxtaposition: a strictly gas-powered Lamborghini Aventador S, a hybrid Honda NSX, and a fully-electric Rimac Concept One. It’s a delightful dichotomy, right up until Hammond tragically crashes the million-dollar Rimac. Unfortunately, it isn’t the first time Hammond has had a potentially deadly crash .

‘The Grand Tour’ broke a speed record on the water

In the ninth episode of season 2, Clarkson, Hammond, and May cannibalize several vehicles to create an amphibious car. Not only that, but the trio have to take their creation to Coniston Water in England’s lake district. The site is itself famous; it’s where Donald Campbell died attempting to break a speed record in 1967. Luckily, the team emerged victorious, if also silly-looking.  

Carving a path through the Highlands is a gorgeous scene

In season 3, episode 7, the team heads to the Scottish Highlands to attempt the North Coast 500. Instead, they decide to turn the trip into a lesson in laziness and shorten their route. Still, it’s breathtaking views from start to finish, and Clarkson’s Alfa Romeo GTV6 prompts you to stifle your common sense. 

It’s understandable, though. I have to advise against attempting the NC500 without ample time. I took to the Highlands aboard a 750cc Suzuki motorcycle without factoring in weather and time. Rookie mistake. That said, the parts of the NC500 that I traversed were nothing short of stunning.

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Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).

Giro d'Italia 2024

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2024 giro d'italia overview.

The 2024 Giro d'Italia, celebrating its 107th edition, is set to begin in Turin on Saturday, May 4 and end in Rome with a circuit stage around the Colosseum on Sunday, May 26.

The route will cover 3,321.2 kilometres and 42,900 metres in vertical elevation across the 21 days of racing. 

RCS Sport, organisers of the race, have designed a course that offers the peloton two time trials (of 37.2km and 31km), along with a Strade Bianche-style gravel stage 6 and six mountain top finishes.

Primož Roglič celebrated as the overall winner of the 2023 Giro d'Italia; however, he is unlikely to defend his victory, instead he will be focusing fully on the Tour de France.

The balanced 2024 route has attracted many of the sport's biggest names and overall contenders, including Tadej Pogačar , Geraint Thomas, Ben O'Connor and, if he can recover from his devastating injuries suffered in a crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen , Wout van Aert..

Cyclingnews will provide comprehensive reporting from the 2024 Giro d'Italia, with live minute-by-minute reports every day, as well as interviews, breaking news, race analysis, and the latest tech from our team around the world and on the ground in Italy.

Subscribe to Cyclingnews  for the comprehensive Giro d'Italia experience so you'll never miss a moment of our coverage.

2024 Giro d'Italia Route

The 2024 Giro d'Italia will be the 107th edition of the Italian Grand Tour, taking place from May 4-26. 

The  2024 Giro d'Italia route  will see the peloton tackle six summit finishes in the daunting stages through the Alps, Apennines and Dolomites , culminating in the final double ascent and descent of the Monte Grappa. 

The route also includes the Cima Coppi, Stelvio Pass at 2,758 metres, positioned mid-route on stage 16.

Giro d'Italia Records

Most overall wins: Fausto Coppi, Alfredo Binda, Eddy Merckx (five); Giovanni Brunero, Gino Bartali, Fiorenzo Magni, Felice Gimondi, Bernard Hinault (three).

Most stage wins: Mario Cipollini (42), Alfredo Binda (41), Learco Guerra (31), Constance Girardengo (30), Eddy Merckx (25) ... Mark Cavendish (16)

Most mountain classification wins: Gino Bartali (seven); José Manuel Fuentes (four); Fausto Coppi, Franco Bitossi, Claudio Bortolotto, Claudio Chiappucci (three)

Most points classification wins: Francesco Moser, Giuseppe Saronni (four); Roger De Vlaeminck, Johan van der Velde, Mario Cipollini (three)

Most starts: Wladimir Panizza (18); Pierino Gavazzi, Domenico Pozzovivo (17)

Youngest winner: Fausto Coppi, 1940 (20 years and 268 days)

Oldest winner: Fiorenzo Magni, 1955 (34 years and 180 days)

Smallest margin of victory: 11 seconds (Fiorenzo Magni, 1948)

Largest margin of victory: 1:57:26 (Alfonso Calzolari, 1914)

Fastest edition: 2013 (40.113kph)

Giro d'Italia 2024 stages

• Giro d'Italia 2024 route
• Giro d'Italia history

• Rest Day 2024-05-13

• Rest Day 2024-05-20

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Learn Italian online

Speed Cameras in Italy

If you are coming to Italy on your holidays this summer, then watch your speed, otherwise you will end up on film. This vacation snapshot taken by one of Italy’s speed cameras will result in a fine dropping through your letterbox at some time in the future.

This post also contains information on the ‘ Tutor ‘ anti speeding system and speed limits for certain sections of Italy’s autostrada.

The term for speed camera in Italy is ‘ autovelox ‘, and the Italian police use both fixed and mobile speed cameras to check that you are staying within the speed limits. In this article you’ll learn everything you need to know about Italian speed limits.

To help you watch your speed, here are some photographs of some of the types of speed camera you will see around Italy.

Driving Rules in Italy

Driving rules in Italy encompass a set of regulations that visitors and locals must adhere to while navigating the country’s roads. Italy’s driving laws mandate driving on the right-hand side of the road, with priority given to vehicles approaching from the right at intersections unless otherwise indicated by road signs.

Speed limits vary across different road types, such as 50 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on secondary roads, 110 km/h on main roads, and 130 km/h on most highways (autostrada), though some sections may permit 150 km/h. Strict rules regarding seat belt usage and zero-tolerance policies for driving under the influence of alcohol are rigorously enforced.

Additionally, understanding and obeying speed camera locations (autovelox) and adhering to local traffic patterns, including the Zona Traffico Limitato (ZTL) restricted traffic zones prevalent in many historic city centers, are crucial for a safe and legally compliant driving experience in Italy.

In the next paragraph, you’ll learn everything you need to know about Italian speed limits.

Unclear Speed Limits

Note that  speed limit signs in Italy are not always too easy to see. On motorways/freeways you may not be able to see a speed limit sign owing to the presence of  high sided vehicles  in inside lanes. If in doubt keep your speed at the same level as other traffic, but this is only a general rule.

When the traffic around you slows down for no apparent reason, do the same. Be gung ho and you’ll go sailing past a speed camera or speed check far too fast and the Italian authorities may well end up sending you an extra holiday snap accompanied by a request for payment.

Alternatively, if you ignore the slowing traffic, you may end up htting one of the cars in front of you. As with other major roads around the world, traffic levels in Italy can cause slow downs for no apparent reason. Be patient and after a while the traffic should speed up again.

When driving in Italy, if you see this one armed, hand-less policeman, or something like it, watch out because the traffic police are watching you.

Types of speed camera in Italy

Some way down the road, and the picture above shows a freeway / motorway or autostrada , as they are known in Italy, there will be a traffic cop with a mobile speed camera device. The device may look like this:

However, Italy has other types of speed camera, such as the fixed speed camera shown in the picture below:

Here is another example of an Italian  roadside speed camera. These units are often found on all roads in Italy, not just on motorway/freeways:

Also visible in the picture above is a good example of what an Italian road speed limit sign looks like. Watch out for these, because certain sections of motorways in Italy have different speed limits. The reason why the speed limits suddenly change is not always that clear.

Yet another type of speed camera you may encounter in Italy is the variety which hangs beneath autostrada bridges.  These cameras are not easy to see when you are driving towards a bridge, although if you see something similar hanging from the bridge in the other direction, it is likely that these speed cameras will exist on your side of the road too – so keep to the speed limit.

These little bridge hung speed camera devices often look like this:

Speed Camera Map – Italy

OK, so now you know what Italy’s speed cameras look like, but maybe you would also like to know where the fixed speed cameras . Well, here is a map of speed camera locations in Italy , but be careful, as it is not clear how up to date it is, although this map was accurate in May 2007, I understand. Once a fixed camera has been installed, it is unlikely to be removed.

Even so, use this map as a general guide only please (speed camera detectors and up to date GPS maps should be more reliable – see the next section for some info on them):

Stop reading, start speaking

Stop translating in your head and start speaking Italian for real with the only audio course that prompt you to speak.

For your information, ‘ postazione visibile ‘ means the speed camera can be seen, whereas ‘ postazione nascoste ‘ indicates that the speed camera is hidden. The 200km  numbers indicate at what position the speed cameras are on the road on which they are located. For example, if the road is from Milan to Rome, and the camera is at 200km, then means the speed camera is 200km from Milan. A1 indicates the route on which the speed camera is located. A map or GPS system will help you identify Italian route numbers.

Where the Speed Cameras Are in Italy?

What you need to know about Italian speed limits

iPhone users might be interested to hear of an iPhone application which can warn you of the presence of speed cameras in Italy- it’s called iSpeedCam Italy , and can be found here for a couple of dollars: iSpeedCam Italy on Apple’s iTunes store.

For everyone else, try Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk for GPS speed camera detectors – but before you buy something, make sure it will work in Italy. Note that the older type ‘ radar detectors ‘ are illegal in most European countries, and you will be fined if you are caught using one.

GPS navigation systems do sometimes include speed limit warnings and some ‘know’ where the speed cameras are located – but beware – camera positions can change and new speed cameras are being added all the time. Keeping to the speed limits should keep you out of trouble fine-wise.

The Tutor System

One some Italian motorways, the ‘ Tutor ‘ is operating and what it does is track your average speed over various tracts of Italian highways.  The system, which has been in place since 2005, has, apparently, so far been located in accident black spots.

Although I have had a look at the Italian police site sections on the Tutor system, it is not clear just what the consequences are of exceeding what is considered to be the correct average speed for a Tutor monitored tract of highway.

However, it is likely that drivers exceeding average speeds will receive a fine , or that speeding drivers will find a police patrol car on their tails.  Note that the Italian police do use unmarked cars too, so slowing down may not help.  And it is worth bearing in mind that the consequences of infuriating the Tutor system may not be known until a traffic violation notification drops silently through your letterbox, and such notifications are sent to all corners of the world, most often by registered mail.

A map of the location of Tutor systems can been seen here: Electronic Speed Monitoring  – the information is in English.

And before you start chasing that fast moving Ferrari in your Cayenne Turbo , be aware that the heavy footed Italian Ferrari owner in front of you probably has friends in high places.  Such is Italy.

Dealing with speeding fines received after a trip to Italy can be complex and fiddly, not to mention potentially expensive.

To help keep you away from the attention of speed cameras, here are the speed limits you need to respect on Italian roads :

General Road Speed Limits

• Built-up and urban areas 50 kph (31 mph) – BUT NOTE: areas in Italy – some villages and towns for example, now have areas with speed limits set at 30 kph (18 mph)
• Secondary Roads 90 kph (56 mph)
• Main Roads 110 kph (68 mph)
• Motorways/Freeways/Autostrada 130 kph (81 mph) – but limits can and do change on different sections of this type of road.
• (Italian Highway code revision July 2010) Motorways/Freeways/Autostrada 150 kph (93 mph) – but only on certain sections . 150 kph speed limit signs will be in place – but do not assume you can travel at 150 kph.

With Trailer or Caravan

• Built-up areas 50 kph (31 mph)
• Secondary Roads 70 kph (44 mph)
• Main Roads 70 kph (44 mph)
• Motorways 80 kph (50 mph)

Motor caravans/Camper Vans more than 3.5 tonnes but less than 12 tonnes

• Secondary Roads 80 kph (50 mph)
• Main Roads 80 kph (50 mph)
• Motorways 100 kph (62 mph)

Freeway/Motorway/Autostrada Fine Levels

• Up to 147 km/h (130 km/h + 10 km/h + allowing for a 5% tolerance): a 35 Euro fine – no points deducted for holders of Italian driving licences
• Between 148 and 178 km/h (130 km/h + 40 km/h + allowing for a 5% tolerance): a 143 Euro fine and 2 points deducted for holders of Italian driving licences
• Over 179 km/h: fine of 357 Euros , and 10 points deducted for holders of Italian driving licences and licence suspended for between 1 and 3 months.

With a little luck, the information here will help you avoid having a speeding fine drop through your letter box after your vacation in Italy.

Whereas plenty of people do get caught by speed cameras, even more seem to be caught by restricted traffic zone – ztl- cameras in Italy, as my post Speeding, and other traffic fines in Italy with nearly 700 comments will clearly demonstrate to you.  Leaning tower town Pisa is a fine hotspot, by the way.

Driving in Italy as an American

The difference in driving norms, road signage, and traffic patterns can be a significant adjustment from the American driving style. Italians are known for their assertive driving behavior, which might seem chaotic at first to someone accustomed to more structured and regulated traffic in the United States.

Understanding the nuances of Italian driving etiquette, such as the frequent use of horns and swift lane changes, can assist American drivers in acclimatizing to the Italian driving experience. Moreover, familiarizing oneself with the local road signs, speed limits, and the prevalence of speed cameras (autovelox) becomes crucial to avoid fines and navigate the diverse terrains, whether in the bustling cities or picturesque countryside.

Driving in Italy: Which Side

Driving in Italy, much like the majority of Europe, follows the right-hand side of the road system. American visitors accustomed to driving on the right side will find Italy’s road infrastructure relatively familiar in this aspect. However, while the driving side aligns with the American system, the driving culture and behavior on the road might starkly differ. Italian drivers display a more assertive driving style, with a propensity for quick lane changes and sometimes fast-paced driving, especially on highways and urban roads. Therefore, understanding the driving practices unique to Italy, despite the shared side of the road with the US, remains essential for a safe and seamless driving experience in the country.

Map of speed camera locations in Italy: Updated information

Accessing updated information on speed camera locations in Italy can significantly enhance your driving experience and help you avoid potential fines. While the accuracy of maps detailing speed camera locations may vary, staying informed about the latest updates can assist in navigating Italy’s roads more cautiously. Utilizing GPS navigation systems or specialized smartphone applications, like iSpeedCam Italy, provides real-time alerts and information about autovelox locations. However, it’s essential to remain vigilant, as new speed cameras can be installed, and existing ones might be relocated. Utilizing these resources as general guidance, alongside observing speed limits and traffic regulations, can contribute to a smoother and law-abiding driving journey in Italy.

You might find this post interesting too: How to Avoid Fines While Staying in Italy

Tips for drivers in Italy

While every effort has been make to ensure the information in this post about speed cameras and speed limits in Italy is accurate, laws change, new cameras are added and new local speed limits may be applied – please bear this in mind.

If you want to help keep this post up to date, you can. Please leave new information in a comment and always add a link to the source of your information as this will help keep this post an accurate and useful resource for those wishing to drive in Italy. Many thanks.

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The Grand Tour in Italy

Beginning late in the 17 th  century, long before travelers came to be known as  tourists , foreigners began making what was later called The Grand Tour of Europe. In the beginning, The Grand Tour represented a kind of finishing school for young men of means, primarily among the British upper crust. It was how one learned to become a gentleman, setting the stage for a leadership role. To be educated was to be cultured, making the Grand Tour a mark of attainment in one’s classical education. The Grand Tour familiarized these travelers with the great works of art and architecture from ancient times through the Renaissance.

The Grand Tour was the ultimate in luxury travel, with servants to handle the luggage and scholarly tutors to provide education and insights on a vast array of topics. The earliest of grand tour itineraries included a stay in Paris, travel through Italy, usually only as far south as Rome, and some time in Germany.

Souvenir of The Grand Tour: “Ancient Intersection of Via Appia and Via Ardeatina,” etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, 1756

The accounts of some grand tourists became literary classics including two volumes by Scottish writer James Boswell and the Italian journeys of Johann Wolfgang Goethe, though Goethe waited until age thirty-eight to embark and set out from Weimar, not London.

The original Grand Tour was a long, leisurely trip, lasting weeks and sometimes months or years. Until the Age of Enlightenment when the idea of public museums took hold, the great works of art resided mostly in the homes of aristocrats. Without the aid of telephone, email or fax, organizing such excursions was a feat in itself! Then of course there were the logistics of transport in horse-drawn carriages and sailing vessels. Once rail lines began connecting the major cities of Europe, the speed, cost and efficiency of this new mode of transportation put The Grand Tour within reach of the middle class and eventually Americans.

With modern air travel, The Grand Tour has become shorter still. Nonetheless, this trip of a lifetime is as popular as ever, especially among mature travelers who think of such experiences as part of a larger bucket list of places and events. For many a traveler, getting to the great cultural destinations of the Western world is a component of a life well-lived.

While guidebooks have made possible a self-directed version of The Grand Tour, such publications are no substitute for being escorted by knowledgeable guides steeped in cultural history. The Grand Tours we offer are meticulously planned for modest-sized private groups. We match culturally-rich itineraries with a wide choice of European and U.S. destinations, combined with first class lodgings and memorable cuisine. Because of our longstanding relationships and years of experience in the cultural travel business, we are able to obtain highly sought-after tickets to important arts events, gain access to private collections and have the know-how to eliminate the hassle of travel. Our itineraries also offer plenty of leisure time for contemplation, making our trips ideal for the independent- minded traveler, unaccustomed to group travel. The Grand Tour isn’t one of our specialties. It is our  raison d’etre .

Don’t Like Speed Cameras? Steal One Instead

Speed cameras are arguably the worst part of driving. They’re placed at the bottom of hills or behind blind corners where you can’t see them and are designed to catch you out and grab your money… sorry… I mean stop you speeding and save lives.

So how do we combat this? Well, the majority of us can’t do anything, but one man took it upon himself to dissect the problem. Literally.

Yep, someone cut a speed camera off of its stand and took it away on his bike.

That’s one less camera on the road, which doesn’t make such a difference if you look at how many there are just in London:

Alex Harrington

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Italy's great Speed Train Connections for the Grand Tour

Over the last few years, Italy has invested in their high speed train Alta Velocità (AV) connections across Italy. Trenitalia's high-speed trains are called Alta Velocità (AV), and are broken down into three categories: Frecciarossa (“Red Arrow”), Frecciargento (“Silver Arrow”), and Frecciabianca (“White Arrow”). Frecciarossa trains are the fastest of these, reaching speeds of up to 190 MPH (300 km/h). There is a certain romance to what we imagine 19th-century train travel in Europe might have been like, but there's no denying the benefits of modern technology on Italy's rail infrastructure. The country's high-speed trains connect Italy's major cities, with 3 beautiful routes for a Grand Tour through Italy.  These routes make it possible to consider day trips from Milan to Rome or Rome to Naples, despite the great distance. Italy's high-speed trains help evoke the 19th-century romance of rail travel, albeit at 21st-century speeds. Making it the best transport option these days for your Grand Tour through Italy!

Route 1 - Frecciarossa - Turin - Milan - Bologna - Rome - Naples - Salerno

The Frecciarossa high-speed train in Italy - connects Turin - Milan - Bologna - Rome - Naples - Salerno.

Route 2 - Frecciargento - Rome - Venice - Verona - Bari -Lecce -  Lamezia Terme

This train connects Rome to Venice, Verona, Bari/Lecce, Lamezia Terme/Reggio Calabria on both high-speed lines and traditional lines. 

Route 3 - The Frecciabianca - Milan - Venice - Udine - Trieste - Genova - Rome - Bari - Lecce

This train offers service on traditional lines from Milan to Venice, Udine, Trieste, Genoa, Rome, Bari, and Lecce.

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Speed cameras Italy

Do speed cameras in Italy use flash during dark hours?

No but they still operate effectively, and you can't tell which are active and which are defunct day or night (unless some public-spirited criminal has vandalized it). (Edited to remove ambiguity)

Good to know, thank you

The cameras may not "flash" during dark hours, but that doesn't mean they're not able to capture license plate information. Have a look at this website - http://www.autostradetech.it/en/solutions/security-access-control/tutor-system.html , which states that the device is capable of "Continuous measurements, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year" . If the traffic control device is mounted on a bridge over a motorway which has good LED street lighting on either side of the bridge, that might be sufficient to allow a photo capture.

They are posted on viamichelin motorway routes, but the best policy is to obey the speed limits.

There are many “fixed” speed cameras (known in Italy as “autovelox” cameras from the brand name of the original devices). They can operate at night. They are enclosed in boxes like this , although they are not all alike (some are orange, some are blue, etc.) Many are inactive, and actually there is no longer an apparatus inside, but nobody knows which, therefore it is safe to slow down before all. There are also mobile cameras on patrol cars or temporarily set up by a patrol. There are however navigation apps that can warn you of their presence. The most used by Italians is Waze, but there are others. I generally use Waze when in Italy. Google Maps (Google owns Waze) started the same warning system in 2019, but I haven’t tested it yet in Italy.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.

Google in Europe

The grand tour of Italy: traveling through the past and present to define our future

May 16, 2017

[[read-time]] min read

Italian culture—art, architecture, music and food—have made Italy great in the eyes of the rest of the world. Have you ever wondered how these Italian masterpieces from the past have shaped today’s present, and how they can continue to be a source of inspiration in the future?

Three hundred years ago, Italy’s “Grand Tour” was a journey made mainly by wealthy young people from Venice to Sicily, going through Tuscany, Rome or Naples, to discover the legacy of classical art and Renaissance Masterpieces. Europe’s upper class families made a tradition of sending their sons and daughters to explore  the country’s artwork to inspire a love of culture and creativity. Today Google brings this journey back to life, but this time we’re making it available to everyone, everywhere.

We’ve  reinterpreted the The Grand Tour of Italy on Google Arts & Culture through vivid exhibits and storytelling from partners including the Comitato Giovani della Commissione Nazionale Italiana for UNESCO , Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia— Museo Correr and Cà Rezzonico — Accademia dei Fisiocritici , Consorzio per la Tutela del Palio di Siena , Outdoor Project , and the Teatro Massimo in Palermo . Working together, and with a little help from Google’s technology, we’re proud to present The Grand Tour of Italy ,  which explores four cities in five Cardboard tours, 25 videos, 21 Street View tours, 38 digital exhibitions and 1300+ images .

Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Festa del Redentore , find out about its origins and history, or usingsimple Google Cardboard , you can experience the magic of the Redentore fireworks display with a 360° virtual tour. Enjoy the excitement of a tradition that shapes the life of an entire city, and experience the preparation for the Palio di Siena , as if you were right there. In one click, you can go to Pienza and discover how a small town with a population of around 3,000 created a new approach to town planning, later used in laying out larger modern cities. Take a virtual walk around Rome and stop to look at the statue of Pasquino , hear the story of the talking statues and the “Pasquinate”, the forerunner of today’s social media. Go into the Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele of Palermo , the largest opera theatre in Italy and one of the largest in Europe. It used to be exclusively for the city’s upper class, but now everyone can enjoy it.

Our digital journey continues to Venice (and in the coming months in Siena, Rome and Palermo), where we’ll help residents of the city prepare cities for a digital future. Free seminars and workshops organized with our partners will help spread digital skills among citizens and make sure the younger generations are ready to take advantage of the opportunities offered by technology.

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Italy’s Iconic Grand Tour, Reborn

Between the 17th and 19th centuries, the Grand Tour, a coming-of-age intellectual adventure punctuating the end of one’s formal education, emerged as a rite of passage for the European elite. Many traveled to multiple destinations across the European continent—typically stopping in France and Switzerland—but Italy quickly emerged as the most sought-after country for Grand Tourists. This iconic voyage was not only a means to explore beyond one’s familiar confines, but a journey of cultural enlightenment that allowed young nobles to immerse themselves in the timeless beauty of Italy. While the Grand Tour’s spirit continues to inspire modern travelers, the rebirth of the iconic Maserati GranTurismo forges a sleek link between generations—a fusion of history, luxury, and innovation that propels the concept of “grand journeys” into the future.

The essence of the Grand Tour—a journey defined by self-discovery, cultural enlightenment, and boundless exploration—is reborn in the GranTurismo. As the GranTurismo cruises along storied streets and roads through cityscapes and landscapes, it's as though the very spirit of the Grand Tour courses through its veins.

Maserati GranTurismo Folgore Luce

As the Grand Tour’s ethos evolved to match the desires of the modern day, so has the Maserati GranTurismo—the name itself a subtle nod to the journeys of past generations. This modern edition continues the legacy set forth by the original A6 1500 GranTurismo, which debuted in 1947, in Modena, Italy. A sports car designed for both high-speed performance and luxurious long-distance driving, this iteration seamlessly combines a unique blend of performance, comfort, and forward-thinking innovation.

Similar to how the Grand Tour was about more than just a series of destinations but the transformative journey itself, the Maserati GranTurismo is more than just a car, it’s an experience. With the launch of the groundbreaking GranTurismo Folgore, Maserati's inaugural electric triumph, the future of Italian luxury is now elegant as well as sustainable. The Folgore, meaning "lightning" in Italian, aptly captures the essence of its name through its 100 percent electric powertrain developed by cutting-edge technology derived from Formula E. With meticulous attention to detail, synonymous with Italian works of art, the engineers at the Innovation Lab worked tirelessly to ensure that every trailblazing driver of this electric car experiences a new,  distinctive signature sound of the Maserati engine. Ahead of the curve in design and ethos, the Folgore's interiors are crafted utilizing sustainable Econyl, a recycled nylon fabric developed using nets recovered from the sea. These thoughtful choices go beyond aesthetics. They embody values and a commitment to a brighter future—values shared by today’s sustainable-focused travelers.

Unveiled during Milan Design Week, the GranTurismo One Off Luce is a testament to Maserati’s commitment to experimentation and constant research. Developed within Fuoriserie, Maserati’s distinct customization program inspires creative expression and allows for a true reflection of one’s unique personality to design a vehicle that is unico —unparalleled. Featuring the impressive fully electric Folgore engine under the hood, its exterior is a chromatic mirrored monolith, laser-etched with a dynamic pattern, blending seamlessly into its surroundings. While the car gracefully melds into the rolling hillside landscape of Tuscany, it simultaneously stands out as a symbol of artistry and metamorphosis. Immersing itself in the beauty of the Charterhouse of Pisa, in Calci, it reflects the inspiration that has captivated generations of travelers and artists. Designed by Maserati Centro Stile, the GranTurismo Luce is a show stopping masterpiece that brings Maserati’s rich legacy into the future. After its global preview at Milan Design Week, this work of art will travel the world, allowing car enthusiasts to experience it up close and personal.

As we embark on our modern journeys to Italy, we echo the footsteps of the original Grand Tourists. Like them, we seek more than mere sightseeing; we yearn for cultural immersion and to absorb a morsel of the greatness embodied in art. The Maserati GranTurismo becomes our vehicle to connect eras, bridging the past with the present, and forging the path of the future. It symbolizes not only a luxurious ride but a conduit for understanding, reminding us that the spirit of exploration, discovery, and the pursuit of beauty are timeless. Where will your Grand Tour lead you next?

between Liguria & Tuscany

Road Trip in Italy along the historic Grand Tour itinerary

Did you know that the Gulf of Poets was one of the destinations where the young men of the European aristocracy would stop during their Grand Tour of Italy? The Bel Paese was one of the mandatory stages in this long journey that the aristocrats would undertake around Europe to widen their knowledge about culture, art and politics. The trip could last months or even years, and the stay in Italy would usually be long because the country was seen as the cradle of Western civilization, the home of all that was considered to be significant from a historical, religious, aesthetical and political point of view.

Brief History of the Grand Tour in Italy

People had been traveling to Italy for centuries. In the Middle Ages, for example, there was a period of great wanderlust by scholars, merchants, pilgrims and adventurers. But it was only toward the end of the 16th century that the journey acquired a value of its own in the history of the collective European mentality and became a fashion until the early 19th century:

“Independently of the satisfaction of this or that need, the journey assumed the character of an end in itself, in the name of a curiosity that grew ever bolder, in the name of knowledge and understanding on the one hand and the pleasure of escape, of pure diversion on the other. This new idea began to take hold in Europe and was embodied in the vogue for the journey to Italy. […] It was Richard Lassels, in his ‘An Italian Voyage’, who first used the expression Grand Tour, a neologism that from that moment – the year 1670 – on would be adopted universally.” (Grand Tour project by Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Firenze)

Despite some occasional ups and downs, the idea of the Grand Tour remained solid throughout the 17th and 18th centuries , becoming particularly undisputable in the latter. This “golden age” of travel ended in the eve of the 19th century with the Napoleonic wars. Nonetheless, for years to come many European artists and aristocrats would continue to visit Italy or to choose it as their temporary home, including two of the most famous English Romantic poets – Lord George Gordon Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley. Their admiration for the Bay of La Spezia and local gems like Portovenere and Lerici , led the area to inherit the nickname of Gulf of Poets. It was Byron who best summed up the appeal of Italy to the Grand Tourist :

“Fair Italy! Thou art the garden of the world, the home of all art yields, and nature can decree.”

The historic itinerary

Many Englishmen would reach Italy via sea, reaching Genoa with a felucca (traditional wooden sailing boat) from Marseille or Nice. Other travelers, especially the French, would arrive in Italy by passing through the Alps (Mont Cenis pass) to begin their voyage from Milan or Turin, while others, like the Germans, would cross the Brenner Pass to reach Verona or Venice.

The main stages of the Grand Tour in Italy were represented by the major art cities, like Florence, Venice, Rome and Naples. Nevertheless, there was some flexibility in the itineraries connecting these destinations and in choosing what smaller towns would be included in the tour.

Modern “Grand Tour” Road Trip in Italy

Just like in the past, to make the most out of a Grand Tour experience in Italy you should value time and flexibility. Slow Travel is the best way to feel, taste and understand a territory’s history, cuisine, culture and way of life. The recommended length of stay depends on how much of Italy you want to explore during your road trip. For example, if you want to visit the area that includes the Italian Riviera between Liguria and Tuscany, Florence, Rome and Venice, make sure to set aside at least 10 days.

If you want to start your Grand Tour from northern Italy, like most travelers would do in the 17th and 18th centuries, you can arrive by plane in the airports of Milan, Turin or Genoa. Pisa airport is also another great option, especially if you are more interested in focusing on the areas of the Italian Riviera and Central Italy. You can then start your road trip with a rental car from your arrival point.

If you want to completely avoid the plane, then you can reach Italy directly with your own car, or with a car that you hire in another country that is part of your European Grand Tour. All major art cities are easy to reach by car, although you will have to find out the local regulations on how to park in the historic center, if allowed. You might want to switch means of transport to visit some other destinations. For example, once you reach the Gulf of Poets you can comfortably park your car in Portovenere and then hire a private boat or use the popular ferry to explore the local bay and the neighboring Cinque Terre .

Recommended stops during a modern-day Grand Tour of Italy that pays homage to the historic movement, include Milan, Venice and Padua in the north; Genoa, Portovenere and Lerici on the Italian Riviera; central Italy with Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Rome and Bologna; Naples, Amalfi Coast and Syracuse in the south. Don’t miss the chance to explore Italy’s hidden gems, often just around the corner of the most famous cities!

SOURCES Grand Tour project by Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Firenze Clark Library at UCLA Top image: painting by Gaspar van Wittel during his Grand Tour in Naples

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The grand tour : a photographic journey in italy.

• Installation Views
• Press release

The GRAND TOUR, was a fabulous, and now legendary, journey taken by our ancestors to track the visible memories of the cultural heritage which was part of their identity.

Firetti Contemporary is pleased to announce the opening of The Grand Tour: A photographic journey in Italy. The exhibition will be inaugurated by His Excellency Dr. Claudio Rammuno, Deputy Head of Mission, First Secretary and Head of the Consular Chancery Italian Embassy, Abu Dhabi.

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