Carrara Marble Experience – Tracking James Bond
Ok, so we were in 4×4 off road jeeps and not Alfa Romeros. Maybe our ride was not as exciting as James Bond’s ride in the movie Quantum of Solace, but it was still exhilarating.
The opening scenes from the movie starring Daniel Craig were filmed on these exact roads. Very exciting!
How this all came about is that while planning to visit Bologna and Modena in Italy, we decided to make a side trip to Carrara marble to see the marble basins and the quarry as the marble is being excavated.
We arrive at the meetup location and don our hard hats. We also had brightly colored vests that were provided.
Then, we board an 8-passenger jeep and proceed up to an altitude of almost 1,000 meters above sea level. It’s a little scary as we wind up the mountain and of course, the roads are not paved. It made for a pretty bumpy ride.
It was worth the ride though; as once you reach the top the views are spectacular! Keep in mind that the city of Carrara is at the foot of the Alps. So, the incredible views from our stop were even more breathtaking.
During the tour, the guide gives details on the ancient and modern methods of excavation. You can see the quarrymen loading the vast marble blocks on to trucks right in front of you.
In addition to the mountain views, you can see the Ligurian sea and the beautiful Cinque Terre villages from where we stopped.
The cost for the tour is very reasonable at 12 euros per person.
Visit their site at:
http://www.carraramarbletour.it/en/
There is an excellent restaurant and small museum shop where you board the jeep. We stopped in for a libation and a little snack at the restaurant before heading to Bologna
Next up is our trip to the Lamborghini factory and museum. These cars are incredible. Stay tuned.
My name is Kim and my passion is surrounding myself, family, and friends in a life of luxury. Each week, I’ll share with you new tips and recipes to create a luxurious life .