RECCE REPORT BY KIM BANNISTER

Odyssey Italia - a dream come true! I have long dreamed of taking an event to the islands of the Mediterranean. Quite apart from the fascinating culture, superb cuisine and impressive history (not least a great rally heritage), the roads lend themselves to super regularities and the scenery is simply breathtaking. I'm pleased to say the route recce didn’t disappoint. I have made some changes to the plan originally published in the event brochure, but only where I found better options. My intention remains as it has always been, to provide you with great driving, enjoyable competition and ample time to appreciate this wonderful region.

Avoiding congestion in Genova, we have a new start location on the Italian Riviera. Signing-on and Scrutineering will now take place on the afternoon of Sunday September 10 at Rally HQ in Sanremo - the elegant Grand Hotel & Des Anglais - followed by a Welcome Dinner. See you there!

Kim Bannister, Route Designer & Clerk of the Course

Monday September 11 Sanremo - Sassello - Genova (Liguria) From the Sanremo start we head inland to explore the hills of Piemonte, enjoying world-class roads used on the Rallye Sanremo and woodland drives made all the prettier by the morning sun filtering through the trees [left]. It won't be too early as we plan to allow late arrivals from Goodwood a bit of a lie-in, but we'll wake everybody up with a regularity section within 50km. From here the roads twist and turn to lunch in the ancient village of Sassello [below].

We then turn south towards the port of Genova and our overnight crossing to Corsica. On the recce we met a touring party of Alfa Romeo Spiders and they led us to the perfect afternoon coffee halt atop one of the region's many hills.

Security measures obliged us to be at the port two hours before sailing but the boat loaded immediately. The restaurant was very good, so we shall dine here. You may then enjoy the delights of the bar before retiring to your cabins.

Tuesday September 12 Bastia - Cap Corse - Ajaccio (Corsica) Following a surprisingly comfortable night we landed in Bastia, Corsica. Due to the early hour we chose not to breakfast on the boat and instead found a quirky beach bar serving a great breakfast of rolls, conserves and hot, strong coffee. Breakfast on the beach, what could be a better start to the Corsican leg of our adventure? Driving north onto the Cap Corse peninsula [right] brought us to the first Corsican regularity section; keep your cameras handy as the coastal views are simply stunning.

An old fishing harbour, Port de Centuri, makes a great coffee stop, and you'll have time to explore the pretty village. Driving on we found a good beachside pizzeria on the west coast that will make a wonderful lunch venue, with the Mediterranean lapping beneath your feet.

The afternoon route crosses the island via several charming Corsican villages to the ancient capital of Corte. With so much to see, we will end the day's rally timing here, leaving you to explore the historic city at your leisure. It's a short drive from our hotel, the luxurious Radisson Spa, which overlooks the Golfe d’Ajaccio and will be our home for three nights.

Wednesday September 13 Ajaccio - Capo Rosso - Ajaccio (Corsica) On Day 3 we head north towards the Gorges de Spelunca, avoiding the busy centre of Ajaccio. Your first regularity twists and turns along the coast overlooking the Golfe de Sagone, and the second takes you across the Col de Sevi, with an unusual coffee halt at the summit. Your next stop will be a great photographic opportunity amid the spectacular rock formations of Calanques de Piana [right], a popular UNESCO World Heritage site that is well worth visiting. Don’t venture too close to the edge though - it’s a very long drop down to the sea!

We continue to follow the coast road past Capo Rosso to the Plage d’Arone, where the Casabianca restaurant [left] is the most idyllic setting you can possibly imagine for a Corsican lunch. You will surely want to linger here but I must drag you away for the third regularity of the day, which starts near Carghese. I can promise that a narrow, twisty and very exciting challenge awaits you. As if any reward were necessary, an early finish back at Ajaccio gives you plenty of time to go for a swim, relax around the pool or indulge yourself with a luxurious spa treatment before dinner on the hotel terrace, overlooking the sea.

Thursday September 14 Ajaccio - Aleria - Ajaccio (Corsica) We travel east today into Central Corsica, exploring the Monte Renosa massif. Heavy rain on the recce (the first in four months) closed the col road we had intended to use so we looked for alternatives. Our original plan was to visit the Bronze Age monument at Menhir de Tavera, but to be frank it wasn’t worth the journey so we retraced our steps to find much better roads and another challenging regularity. A coffee halt in a quirky, Swiss-style chalet precedes our second regularity of the morning, crossing the Col de Sorba on great roads meandering through the woodland scenery.

Lunch will be in Aleria, a superb beachside restaurant aptly named Le Plage [above], which is indeed so close to the sea that you could probably have a paddle while you eat! We then set off south-west to the pretty coastal town of Solenzara, stopping in Petreto-Bicchisano for coffee and tackling the Col de Larone and the Col de Bavella. A third regularity will ensure that you have plenty to talk about over a glass of wine back at the hotel, where we have organised a barbecue on the terrace and hope to have some live music.

Friday September 15 Ajaccio - Bonifacio - Badesi (Corsica - Sardinia) The recce crew checked out of the Radisson Spa early in search of more great roads and we weren’t disappointed - within 10km we found a great regularity section with lots of challenging hairpins. I had planned to take you to the windmill in Sainte Lucie de Tallano but I changed my mind after discovering the delightful walled town of Sartene [right]. This is a must-see, so I will make time in the rally schedule for a coffee and a stroll around.

We found another regularity before lunch, south of Porto Vecchio in a very nice pizzeria (they serve other things as well). The route then continues south through seaside villages to the port of Bonifacio, where we catch the ferry to Sardinia. Bonifacio is tiny and it is really amazing to see the huge Moby ferry reversing into its berth. The sea crossing takes only an hour, and after disembarking in Santa Teresa Gallura we have a fast 50km drive to our next luxury haven at Badesi, Le Dune Resort and Spa, which covers a large area but feels much smaller. A restaurant has been set aside for our exclusive use over the next two nights; the white wine will be on ice and the red open and waiting for your arrival.

Saturday September 16 Badesi (Sardinia) On the recce we spent Day 6 reviewing our route plans for tomorrow. You may relax, however, for today is a rest day. Of course you could spend a few hours tinkering with your car but there are many other possibilities besides; you could go scuba diving, explore the craft shops and restaurants in the 12th Century town of Castelsardo [left], admire the remains of the Bronze Age city of Tharros or simply laze around the pool with the cocktail(s) of your choice.

Sunday September 17 Badesi - Autodromo di Mores - Orosei (Sardinia) The first regularity of Day 7 is less than 10km from the hotel. We then head off to the Autodromo di Mores, Sardinia's FIA-standard race circuit [right], for some fun on the track. We have arranged for the autodromo to provide lunch after you’ve burned some rubber.

I found two more exciting regularities for the afternoon, both of them challenging climbs with tight hairpin bends and great fun to drive. I had planned to end the day’s timing in Nuoro but to be honest there wasn’t a lot there so I have moved the day's finish to the vibrant seaside town of Cala Galone, where you may wander around and enjoy the atmosphere - there might even be donkeys on the beach! Tonight's accommodation is the luxurious Club Hotel Marina Beach, overlooking the Gulf of Orosei, and you will have plenty of time for a few drinks before dinner; we have exclusive use of the Pagoda Restaurant next to the beautiful pool area.

Monday September 18 Orosei - Siniscola - Porto Cervo (Sardinia) Again this morning we found some great regularity roads. The first winds its way along small country lanes with virtually no traffic on them. We will then stop for coffee in the hilltop village of Bitti, where we have asked permission to park the cars on the lovely piazza. Driving on, look out for some beautiful murals in the village of Onanie [left]; they are really intricate and very unusual.

We found a great location for a passage control next to the remains of a Roman settlement, and time will be allowed for you to have a look around before travelling on to regularity number two. The road runs across beautiful countryside, twisting, turning, dipping and climbing, and should be a real challenge.

Another wonderful lunch awaits you just outside Siniscola. The town itself is pretty but there was nowhere to park so we drove a little farther to find a better option - Il Laghetto - where we enjoyed a super meal of fresh grilled squid (other menu choices are available if you don't like cephalopods).

From lunch we set off for the Costa Smeralda, haunt of the super-rich, where we shall stay for two nights at the five-star Colonna Hotel in Porto Cervo. En route we will pass close by the impressive medieval hill-town of Posada. There is hardly any parking here and accommodating all the rally cars would be impossible. Nevertheless time has been allowed for you to visit if you wish; I can give you directions on the day. In any case we shall finish early so you may enjoy the facilities at our hotel [right], which include an attractive pool area and a gym for anyone who feels that our regularities have not already provided enough of a workout!

Tuesday September 19 Porto Cervo (Sardinia) Day 9 is a rest day allowing you to enjoy the delights of the Costa Smeralda. Perhaps a swim or some scuba diving, an excursion to the pretty pink archipelago of Isola Della Maddalena, a round of golf or a trip to Harrods - there's a branch here [left]. There are many first-class restaurants too, so you may further explore the delicious traditions of Sardinian cuisine. Alternatively you may spend the day fettling the car or relaxing by the pool - the choice is yours!

Wednesday September 20 Porto Cervo - Aggius - Olbia (Sardinia) We have two great regularities this morning. One is particularly interesting, on a network of small lanes around a wind farm. On the other, the recce crew met with local traffic [right], which could pose a competitive challenge. Driving on towards Aggius we were happy to find a rustic farmhouse restaurant [below] that served a traditional Sardinian lunch. From the outside it didn’t look large enough to accommodate the rally but it was surprisingly roomy. With enough car parking, we couldn’t have asked for more. The lane leading up to it is steep and narrow but the restaurant is easily reached.

After lunch we called into the historic town of Aggius and were pleased to find a car park, most unusual for these small towns. The streets are nevertheless very narrow so we recommend that you park the car and walk around. The museum of banditry is fascinating and the guide speaks good English. Moving on, our next regularity will be followed by afternoon tea on the way to Olbia, but I will keep the venue a surprise! We arrive in Olbia in plenty of time for the overnight ferry to Livorno and we will organise an evening meal in the boat’s restaurant as we sail beneath the stars.

Thursday September 21 Livorno - Volterra - Grosseto (Tuscany) I originally hoped - and planned - to take the event to the island of Elba. It was only after we returned from the route recce that new dates were announced for the Rallye Elba Storico, clashing with our visit. This FIA historic rally closes the roads for the entire weekend, so it no longer made sense for us to go there. However, it did mean we could spend more time in glorious Tuscany.

So, after a early breakfast on the boat we disembark at Livorno and immediately head out into a characteristic Tuscan landscape of rolling hills and pencil-slim Cypress trees; our two morning regularities are on gravel roads winding through this iconic scenery. We will stop for lunch in

Volterra [left], a fabulous hill-top city founded by the Etruscans, although people have lived here for 9,000 years. There will be time for you to explore the narrow streets, where amongst the mellow stone buildings you will find a variety of quaint little shops. Back on the road, more interesting regularity sections lie in wait as we make our way to our hotel for the next two nights, close to the medieval walled city of Grosseto.

Friday September 22 Grosseto - Orvieto - Grosseto (Tuscany) Day 12, and following recommendations from Lucio De Mori, Clerk of the Course of Rally Italia Sardegna (Italy's round of the WRC) we head east towards the volcanic crater lake Bolsena, exploring some marvellous roads to the north of Lazio and entering the Umbrian region. We will stop to savour a spectacular lunch at the dramatic, cliff-top city of Orvieto [right] before making our way back to the hotel in Grosseto via more testing regularities; in order to allow more time for sightseeing the day's rally timing will end at the historic fishing village of Castiglione della Pescaia, where the picturesque harbour is dominated by a medieval castle.

Saturday September 23 Grosseto - Montalcino - Siena (Tuscany) Bidding a fond farewell to Grosseto we drive north-east towards our next overnight halt in the magnificent city of Siena [right]. As we are fast approaching the end of the rally the competition is sure to be intense as we tackle two more regularity sections this morning, then pause for a tasty lunch in the very pretty hill town of Montalcino, whose red wine, Brunello di Montalcino, is one of Italy's finest (and most expensive). This afternoon we will follow roads used by the legendary Mille Miglia en route to an early arrival in Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its 12th Century Cathedral and many other architectural and artistic masterpieces. We are staying in the four-star Garden Hotel, and as the historic city centre is just a short stroll away we are planning a special tour before we sit down to dinner.

Sunday September 24 Siena - San Gimignano - Montecatini - Barga (Tuscany) Sadly this is the last day of the rally, but no less exciting for that. Driving west through a number of Tuscan villages will bring you to a passage control at San Gimignano [above], another UNESCO World Heritage site and particularly renowned for its tower houses, which create an unforgettable skyline - a sort of medieval Manhattan. It's also known for saffron, golden ham and a fine white wine called Vernaccia di San Gimignano, produced from the ancient Vernaccia grape variety that grows on the local sandstone hillsides. The town is well worth a visit and we will allow you time to look around.

After coffee at the Osteria del Castagno we tackle more stunning Tuscan roads and a regularity section before lunch in the impressive mountain-top fortress city of Montecatini Alto [right], which towers above the relatively new spa town of Montecatini Terme - keep your camera to hand as we climb to what feels like the top of the world! After lunch you'll have two more chances to improve your position on the rally leaderboard as our last regularities follow narrow roads through lovely woods and over little stone bridges. Along the way you are sure to see many local vineyards selling their wares and we will endeavour to allow you time to stop and buy a few cases. Don't forget to leave enough space for them when preparing your car for the rally!

Our final destination is the five-star Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort and Spa [right] in the wooded countryside near Barga - the approach makes an interesting hillclimb in its own right! On the recce we arrived in late afternoon and we will aim to get you here in good time to dress for the evening's Gala Dinner and Prizegiving, a truly splendid finish to a wonderful Mediterranean adventure.

If you have any questions about Odyssey Italia please contact the Rally Office by telephone on +44 (0)1252 794100 or by email to info@rallyround.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you!