In mid-October it is wonderfully summery in Cascais. An excellent organized press trip has begun. At the invitation of Visit Portugal I am on behalf of it Auto Motor Klassiek, especially for Estoril Classics. This is organized by the Cascais Tourism Board. The beautiful setting of the old aristocratic resort makes the prospect of the event even more beautiful.
I am early in Cascais and have time to acclimate, explore the resort and hotel, and have a coffee at the marina. Then I meet contact person Inês Oliveira and we join the other journalists. A number of British, a German and a French form the tour group with me. We greet a nice welcome lunch and the introduction goes smoothly, the group is great. I especially have a connection with Inês, the German Felix and the French Jean Marc, who has been responsible for the yearbook of the 1978h of Le Mans since 24. Of course he knows Gijs van Lennep and Jan Lammers. Speaking of drivers: Inês says that Ari Vatanen and Mikko Hirvonen are in the stately Estoril Palacio Golf & Spa Hotel in the afternoon to speak to us. So then.
Healthy tension, we are going to interview great gentlemen. That happens within a very chic setting. Ari tells a lot, Mikko is more thoughtful, but ultimately the more direct of the two. They are sympathetic Finns with captivating stories, which make the beautiful walk along the idyllic boulevard from Cascais to Estoril - on the way to the drivers - even more rewarding.
The dinner in restaurant Maria Pia is excellent, and it Pestana Cidadela Cascais, is the basis where you can relax. And have breakfast. I don't know what I see when I walk into the restaurant. Selecting the Atlantic is fantastic, and I look forward to breakfast and what goes on today. The weather is great, and we are going with a Mercedes Benz 220 (W187), a Daimler V8 250 and a Peugeot 404 from Top Emotions on the road. Through the mountains, along the coast, that will be breathtaking. We drive to Praia de Guincho, Cabo da Roca (the westernmost point of the European continent) and Azenhas do Mar, built on the rocks. The route is wonderful, wonderful.
And then: Circuito Estoril, where Ayrton Senna got its own lane posthumously. An extensive lunch, races and a paddock with various stands await the circuit. Race Ready has made something beautiful out of it. The main part there is 60 year Mini, but the collection of historic rally cars also impresses. They rode the Historic Portugal Rally, with the drivers as heroes of the night. Talking about that: I meet Vatanen and Hirvonen again, this time at the press conference. Recognition, pride. It happens after I enjoy the competition cars from the sixties and seventies on the main grandstand of the circuit. They survive the ultimate effort that is expected of them. And that sound of that Mustang V8 from the Dutchman Bart Uiterwaal, so beautiful. Goosebumps.
The violence contrasts with the next day, which brings us to the Concurso Elegancia ACP. Like most parts of Estoril Classics, the event at the Casino Estoril is free to the public. The Concurso is compact in size, but with the cooperation of the Portuguese Automobile Club (ACP) delicately composed. The quality of the participating cars is really impressive, the categories just right. A Mercedes-Benz 320 S wins. Back to the Circuito Estoril, Inês has arranged that I can stay a little longer at the Competition. That is the diversity of cars that I prefer to write about, even from non-competition participants. Within that variation, it is striking that the British classic plays the leading role, and that is not only related to the celebration of 60 year Mini. It is also historically inspired by Portuguese-British relationships.
After my extra hour in the casino gardens, the transfer van is ready, it is all arranged. We will have lunch on the circuit again, followed by a few races including the historic Formula 1. On the day Max flies out of the corner elsewhere, a Tyrell Benetton wins the race terribly convincingly. What a machine that is.
In the evening there is the farewell dinner Fora de Pé. That is fine again and finally, at 22.30 local time I say goodbye to Inês. An endearing hostess, and moreover someone I could always rely on, everything went smoothly unnoticed. And precisely in that unnoticed lays a lot of quality, she understands her profession. Just as the entire organization understands professionalism.
All fellow journalists left around noon the next day, but luckily I still have a few hours in Cascais, thanks to TAP's travel schedule. Yes, I fell in love with that languid and almost fado-like atmosphere, where the old aristocracy breathes mundane. I want to go back to this coast someday. I want to go to Estoril Classics again. And I'll be back. Because I want to keep living my dream.
Cascais, Estoril and the surrounding area are an attractive alternative for a beautiful holiday. This region to the west of Lisbon has a lot to offer. Hospitality, beautiful rocks, historic centers, small and large beaches, the turbulent sea, cozy boulevards, nature reserve Serra de Sintra and the city of Sintra itself with world heritage, culinary delights, beautiful hotels and beautiful routes, you will find it all there. Go to www.visitcascais.com and then take a look at the website of the beautiful hotel Pestana Cidadela Cascais. Then you know why Cascais and its surroundings are such an attractive place to spend a wonderful holiday. You will experience the time of your life there.
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