Just some of the most breath taking roads that we drive in our tours.

To finish off the season in Style here at Ultimate drives, we organised 2 rallies as incentives for companies from the UK and Switzerland. The Rallies crossed from Switzerland into Austria and Italy, visiting the most breath taking roads in the world while driving the most exclusive cars.

The First Rally started in Zurich, heading along the shores of lake Luzern before driving the “Big 3″ in the heart of the Alps. The 10 participants had lunch at the stunning Grimsel Hospitz before continuing their journey over 2 more passes, down into the town of St. Moritz. On the second day we drove over the border into Austria, over what we consider to be one of the best drivers roads in the world, the Hachtenjoch pass. From there we continued back into Switzerland and to Zurich, where the participants were staying in the Dolder Grand hotel.

The Second Rally was organized for a large Swiss Bank, with some of their clients and account managers coming over from Brazil to do a 2 day rally down to Ascona.

Ultimate Drives would like to thank everyone who participated in the success of these events,

Until next time,

UD

Beautiful road, Excellent car and perfect weather. What more could you want?

Check out our website or our Facebook page to try it for yourselves…………

Ultimate Drives

Read the Article here

UD

At Ultimate Drives we appreciate anything that as well as being stunningly beautiful, is extremely fast. One of our colleagues from the luxury industry has designed a yacht that is just that…..

In 1905, Charlie Barr and his crew of 50 on the schooner “Atlantic” set a transatlantic record of 12 days and 4 hours which stood for 75 years. In 1980, the record was taken by a multihull skippered by the French legend, Eric Tabarly. The new record was 10 days and 4 hours, with an average speed 20% faster than Atlantic’s. It was an impressive achievement. But that achievement merely set the multihull ball rolling. Following a series of impressive incremental reductions in the record time, in 2009, the record was demolished. The 135ft trimaran Banque Populaire averaged an astonishing 32.94 knots (61kmh) as it surged the 5414km from Ambrose Lighthouse off New York to the entrance of the English Channel in just 3 days and 15 hours.

In the meantime, there was astonishingly little trickledown from these remarkable record breaking yachts to the sailing yachts that the “rest of us” use. Whereas the car industry has seen innovations from racing cars, such as paddle gear changes and ABS braking enter the mainstream, most sailors are still restricted to what one irreverent sailing website refers to as a 4ksb (4 knot sh*t boxes). The average sailing monohull will rarely venture into double digit speeds (in knots). And yet racing multihulls are “cruising” in the high 20s, and are reaching peak speeds well into the 40s.

Hugo Le Breton set out to find out why. It was as though there was nothing (in performance terms) between an F1 car and a Volvo estate. Where were the Ferarri Enzos and Bugatti Veyrons of the sailing world? That search eventually led to the creation of Le Breton Yachts and the SIG45.

The SIG45 was designed to take the lessons from the great offshore racing multihulls and combine it with the elegance and luxury of a high end sailing yacht. It offers the thrilling performance of a racing multihull, and yet also allows the owner to bring friends and family in comfort and safety.

Designed by the same team that designed the record breaking Banque Populaire, and the America’s Cup-winning BMW Oracle trimaran, its design pedigree is second to none. The yacht is built using the finest hi-tech materials. The yachts are built entirely with pre-impregnated carbon fibre on a foam and nomex honeycomb core – materials normally restricted to F1 cars and racing yachts.  The deck layout and rig are based on offshore short-handed racing boats – the systems are chosen because they are light and simple and because they work under the toughest conditions.

The interior was designed by superyacht designer Bjorn Johansson. Providing three double cabins, two heads, a large galley, nav station and saloon, the accommodation offers everything you would need for a cruise. High quality fittings and fabrics keep the superyacht theme consistent.

The result of the investment in design, technology and construction quality is an eye-catchingly beautiful yacht (we find guests on board superyachts 4 times our length taking pictures of us) which can carry its guests in comfort at speeds well in the mid 20s – it’s a seductive combination!

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Meeting at the Dolder hotel, with a sublime view of the Alps as a background for the walkthrough on the terrace for breakfast, we rendez-vouz with Ollie and his friend.

As they left in the beautiful Aston Martin Vantage S, w realise that this break really does incarnate everything unique about Ultimate Drives. In the evening we receive a text message telling us that everything went well and they are in awe of this beautiful country and car.

This break is available on the Ultimate Drives website and the article will soon be published here and on our Facebook page. Follow us for updates.

UD

James Bond Inspired Driving Break

Our James Bond inspired driving break combines the glamor of this most famous secret agent, with a driving tour in and around the Alps with the just released Aston Martin V8 Vantage S.

The driving tour is between 2 and 5 days, dependent on the number of missions you decide to undertake, and will take you to some of the most iconic 007 shoot locations.  The mission starts in Zurich where you receive a full de-brief and drive walkthrough over a glass of vintage Bollinger.  The following morning your Aston Martin will be delivered – now pay attention 007 – and after a walkthrough of the car and GPS you will be on your way.

Mission 1 takes you from Zurich into the heart of the Alps, soaring over three mountain passes before taking a cable car up to the Piz Gloria ice station / panorama restaurant at 2970M….

When we started talking about a 007 route for 2011, it got us thinking long and hard about how to combine some of the most iconic Bond settings in Europe, whilst at the same time ensuring that the driving experience is second to none and takes in some of the greatest driving roads in Europe.

So, after some pretty extensive research into locations across Europe, we came up with a “must do” checklist, which included:

• A visit to at least one stunning French Chateaux, if this happens to be the home of one of Bonds famous villains, then all the better
• A couple of stops to sample Bonds favourite tipples, Bollinger in Champagne region of France, and Martini in the home of Bianco, Turino, Italy
• Re-capturing two of Bonds most iconic car chases in his DB5, firstly in the heart of the Swiss Alps and then on the Alps Maritimes, running down to Monte Carlo
• Whilst in the Alps, making a visit to the most famous ice station of the lot, the Piz Gloria, 3000M up and base for Bond’s nemesis Blofeld in Her Majesties Secret service
• A quick adrenaline rush so where better than a visit to 750ft + Verzasca dam near Locarno, location for the Bond bungee jump opening sequence in Goldeneye
• Some relaxation and recuperation on the lakes of Italy, if it’s good enough for Daniel Craig in the Quantum of Solace, it’s good enough for us
• And finally, and any Bond tour would not be complete without this, a visit to the most famous of casinos of them all, Casino de Monte-Carlo.

With the location checklist in place, we got about planning the route. However, to spice things up a little, we felt a “mission” on each stage would be the order of the day. So, Aston Martin to the ready, Walther PPK safely holstered, it’s time to start your engine, and begin your mission.

Stage 2: Infiltrate Switzerland, then continue to the Piz Gloria.

Your Mission
“Well done 007…. You completed your first mission seamlessly. Now however the serious business begins, this mission will take you from France into Switzerland. In Switzerland you will proceed to the Schilthorn where you must thwart Blofeld’s plan to use biological warfare to threaten the world.”

Start Point: Reims
End Point: Abelboden / Swiss Alps
Distance: Day 1 = 680KM / 7 hours, Day 2 = 120KM (round trip) / 2 hours plus stops
Driving Highlights: Schilthorn

Drive 2: Part 1: Champagne to the Swiss Alps: The first day of this two day mission is to make your way into Switzerland under cover.  Stage 1 sees you head south from France and into the heart of the Swiss Alps.  The drive through mostly highway (for speed) takes you through the heart of the rolling hills of the Burgundy region, stopping for lunch at the Hotel De Levernois, on the banks of the river Bouzaise, just south of Dijon.

After lunch continue south, skirting the Swiss/French Jura Mountains and across the border into Switzerland.  Skirt the top of the lake Neuchâtel, and then head into the Alps and the alpine Town of Adelboden.  Set in the heart of the central Swiss Alps, the hotel is in an idyllic setting, with stunning views of the Alps from it’s panorama bar –  and the perfect place to unwind with a glass of Martini in hand.

Drive 1: Part 2: Head to the Schilthorn Piz Gloria Ice Station

James Bond Facts: Many scenes were filmed at Piz Gloria for the 1969 James Bond 007 film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. In the movie it was Blofeld’s clinical research institute, and Bond spends some time there, eventually destroying the complex in a final epic shoot out

The next days drive takes you on a journey through some of the most picturesque scenery in the Swiss Alps to the Schilthorn Piz Gloria Ice Station – the drive includes a run along the valley of the waterfalls ( 72 in total to be precise fed by the massive glacial melt form the surrounding mountains) to the base of the Schilthorn cable car just past Lauterbrunnen.  From the base station, it takes 32 minutes by the panorama cable car to reach the summit at 2970M.   From here, enjoy views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau and more than 200 other summits.  After snaffling a 007 inspired breakfast (champagne and awe inspiring views included) it’s time to take out Blofeld and complete your second mission.

With stage 3 taking you directly to Lake Como and the stunning Villa del Balbianello (used in the movies Casino Royal and Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones. So, remember to subscribe with us (top) to receive an e-mail update for your next mission.

Two Days Touring the Black Forest in the Ferrari of your Choice

To celebrate Italy’s 150th Aniversary this April, we have put together a great package that combines one of Italy’s most iconic brands, Ferrari, with 2 days on some of the greatest driving roads anywhere in Europe in the Black Forest.

The Black Forest combines natural beauty, with fast and sweeping forest trails, lower mountain passes, stunning lakes and waterfalls.  In short this is a drivers paradise.

The tour starts in Zurich, where you car will be delivered, you then wind your way north through the Black Forest, and across the two highest peaks in the forest, Mount Feldberg and Kandel, before arriving in Baden Baden where you will be based for your second evening.  The drive back is equally stunning, through the central core of the forest, passing by the lakes and waterfalls that charaterise this part of the forest, you even have time for a quick visit to the beautiful medieval town of Schaufhassen, on the shores of the Rhine, and a visit to the IWC watch museum.

If you want to have a more detailed itinerary have a look here or send us an email at info@ultimatedrives.net