VICARIOUS 001 | Winter 2018 | exhausted.ca by VICARIOUS Magazine

WINTER 2018

The The newnew Genesis Genesis G80G80 Sport Sport is a 365 is a 365 horsepower horsepower athletic athletic taketake on the on mid-sized, the mid-sized, all-wheel all-wheel drivedrive luxury luxury sedan, sedan, fromfrom a brand a brand that that brings brings you you an entirely an entirely different different ownership ownership experience. experience. We recognize We recognize youryour timetime and and convenience convenience as ultimate as ultimate luxuries. luxuries. Genesis Genesis at Home at Home concierge concierge service service brings brings the dealership the dealership to your to your doorstep, doorstep, for test for test drive, drive, purchase, purchase, delivery, delivery, and and maintenance, maintenance, so you so you don’tdon’t missmiss a step a step in your in your busybusy day.day. Please Please bookbook a complimentary a complimentary test test drivedrive and and let us letbring us bring a vehicle a vehicle to you. to you. Human-centred Human-centred luxury. luxury. It’s about It’s about time.time. GENESIS.CA GENESIS.CA | experience@genesis.ca | experience@genesis.ca | 1-866-999-9895 | 1-866-999-9895

®/™The®/Genesis ™The Genesis names,names, logos, logos, product product names,names, featurefeature names,names, imagesimages and slogans and slogans are trademarks are trademarks ownedowned or licensed or licensed by Genesis by Genesis MotorsMotors Canada, Canada, a division a division of Hyundai of Hyundai Auto Canada Auto Canada Corp.. Corp.. ^Purchase ^Purchase price of price $62,150 of $62,150 available available on new on18MY new Genesis 18MY Genesis G80 Sport G80 Sport models. models. Price includes Price includes fees, levies, fees, levies, and alland applicable all applicable charges charges (excluding (excluding HST). Prices HST). Prices exclude exclude registration, registration, insurance, insurance, PPSA and PPSAlicense and license fees. fees. ‡Leasing ‡Leasing offers offers available available O.A.C. O.A.C. from Genesis from Genesis Financial Financial Services Services based based on a new on a2018 new Genesis 2018 Genesis G80 Sport G80 Sport with an with annual an annual lease rate leaseofrate 2.9%. of Monthly 2.9%. Monthly lease payment lease payment of $688 of for $688 a 60-month for a 60-month walk-away walk-away lease. lease. Down Down payment payment of $4,300 of $4,300 and first andmonthly first monthly payment payment required. required. Trade-in Trade-in value may valuebe may applied be applied to down to down payment. payment. Total lease Total obligation lease obligation is $45,580. is $45,580. Lease Lease offers offers include include levies levies (air and (air tire and tax). tireLease tax). Lease offers offers exclude exclude registration, registration, insurance, insurance, PPSA, PPSA, licenselicense fees and feesapplicable and applicable charges charges (HST; GST/PST). (HST; GST/PST). $0 security $0 security deposit deposit on all on models. all models. 16,00016,000 km allowance km allowance per year perapplies. year applies. Additional Additional chargecharge of $0.15/km of $0.15/km on all on models. all models. ^‡Offers ^‡Offers available available for a limited for a limited time and timesubject and subject to change to change or cancellation or cancellation without without notice.notice. Inventory Inventory is limited. is limited. Visit www.genesis.ca Visit www.genesis.ca or contact or contact a Genesis a Genesis Distributor Distributor for complete for complete details.details.

2018 2018 G80 G80 SPORT SPORT ALL-INCLUSIVE ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICE PRICE

62 62 ,150 ,150

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Contents 10 Dust and Glam A double life in Palm Springs

14 The Turn-Key Tourist Featured Hotels

18 Forza Motorsport 7 Perspective

21 Quebecâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eastern Townships New roads

26 Niagara Wine Country Splash and Dash

30 Abruzzo, Italy Featured Region

34 Accessorize your road trip Getting there

36 Cretan Blues

Paradise, thy name is Crete

41 Ring Road, Iceland Featured road

44 Exit lane

VICARIOUS is powered by exhausted.ca, a division of Wide Open Media. No part of this publication may be copied or reprinted without the written consent of the publisher. The views expressed by the contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, editors and staff. Customer service: sales@womcanada.com | Published in Canada | Cover Photo by Sabrina Giacomini

Our Team Founder, Editor in Chief Jeffrey Voth Managing Editor Sabrina Giacomini Creative Director Jasmine Van Heijster-Waheed Production Manager Peter Hessels Contributing Writers Jeffrey Voth Sabrina Giacomini Kelly Taylor Miranda Lightstone Rob Rothwell Contributing Photographers Jasmine Van Heijster-Waheed Peter Hessels Kristine Lee Contributing Videographers Wide Open Media Director of Sales Jeffrey Voth 905.327.3944 jvoth@exhausted.ca

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Editor in Chief

Welcome...

to the inaugural issue of VICARIOUS

This is a dream come true for me personally and our exceptional team of editors, artists and contributors. VICARIOUS is our visual take on what it means to grab the keys, jump in your favourite vehicle and hit the road for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Of course, we can’t all physically go on the same trip together, though that does sound amazing. Instead, we commit to bringing you with us through the pages of this magazine and spark your imagination for the endless possibilities travel on wheels provides. A bold, new undertaking, VICARIOUS is not the ﬁrst publication to tell great automotive stories and certainly won’t be the last. Like many of you, I have my favourite magazines and devour them at every opportunity. But in all my years of reading outstanding stories and becoming inspired by incredible photography, I realized there was still something missing. No one was taking me behind the curtain where only journalists get to go, or tangibly showcasing what lies just beyond the horizon. This is the mission of VICARIOUS. In our ﬁrst issue, Managing Editor Sabrina Giacomini takes us to Palm Springs as she goes off-road with style in the new Range Rover Velar. Award-winning automotive journalist Kelly Taylor brings us backstage at a launch event for the new Porsche Cayenne in Crete and photographer Jasmine VanHeijster Waheed puts her camera to work in Abruzzo, Italy to the words of our West Coast contributor Rob Rothwell. Of course, don’t miss Sabrina’s one-on-one with Scott Lee, Artistic Director at Microsoft and the brains behind Forza Motorsport 7, as he tells all in a world-exclusive interview. And that’s just the start! We are excited to launch VICARIOUS! Hang on tight, it promises to be a fun ride.

Jeff Voth Editor in Chief, VICARIOUS jvoth@exhausted.ca

Splash and Dash

The weather outside is delightful.

When equipped with available Autonomous Emergency Braking + LED headlights

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HyundaiCanada.com ™/® The Hyundai name, logos, product names, feature names, images and slogans are trademarks owned or licensed by Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. ƇAvailable feature. For more information, visit www.iihs.org.

Managing Editor

To travel...is to live

Hans Christian Andersen

My name is Sabrina and I will be your tour guide on this new adventure. Travelling and cars are two of my passions. When I explore a new part of the world and I get to do it at the wheel of a vehicle, it enhances my experience of the unknown. It somehow grounds me and places the world at eye level. On the road, we are all equal. So, what do you get when both passions are combined? Road trips of course! Movies have helped romanticize the concept, whether the protagonist is driving an American chopper on route 66 or a trendy convertible on a European pass. Road trips are accessible adventures that can take us a long way. The writers on the VICARIOUS team all have stories to tell. As automotive journalists, we are given golden opportunities to drive vehicles in incredible settings and to explore the paths more and less travelled. We’ve decided to share these adventures with you and to take you along for the ride. Whether you dream of the turquoise Cretan sea or of the rocky Californian desert, you get to come on these adventures with us and experience them… vicariously. Our writers have gone on amazing trips in the past few months and hopefully, one of our stories will make you want to grab your car keys and go on an adventure of your own! It’s hard to believe that only a few months ago, VICARIOUS was only an idea that Editor in Chief Jeff, Production Director Peter and I were tossing around, seated in a coffee shop. And now, you get to ﬂip through the pages of this labour of love. I am immensely proud of what our team has accomplished and I think it shows in the quality of e-magazine you get to experience today. This is the beginning of something new and exciting and I’m looking forward to having you onboard for the ride. Enjoy!

Sabrina Giacomini Managing Editor, VICARIOUS sgiacomini@exhausted.ca

Behind the scenes

Contributors Kelly Taylor Kelly Taylor is an experienced journalist with multiple writing, photography and layout-and-design awards. His favourite ride was an Audi R8 from Thunder Bay, Ont. to Winnipeg, where he nearly traded the car for a Greyhound bus, a 1985 Ford Ranger and the Blue Heron Gift Store in Kenora, Ont.

Miranda Lightstone As compact and race-ready as an Austin Mini Mk1 Cooper Works; don’t be fooled by her small stature. Miranda packs a serious drive and a fair amount of ambitious horsepower, beneath her bespectacled grille. Plucky and always ready to hit apexes with precision, Miranda’s been round the track a few times with over a decade of driving and writing experience under her seatbelt.

Rob Rothwell Rob’s fascination with mechanical things was fed by his father’s “mad-scientist” ability to ﬁx, fabricate, or MacGyver all things mechanical. This creativity was illustrated most evenings by smoke, light, and noise emanating from the basement as metal was cut, shaped, welded, and ground. Currently his many passions include sunny days in his convertible sports car along with water-borne activities, such as kayaking B.C.’s beautiful Gulf Islands and sailing his classic 1980s Rainbow Laser on the waters of English Bay.

Jasmine Van Heijster-Waheed Is a British photographer based in Montreal. Originally trained as a graphic designer, she began her working life in London, England as a production artist/director for several major named design agencies as well as freelancing as a photographer for the music industry. Jasmine emigrated to Canada in 2004 and although based in Montreal she still travels back to the Britain often to work on collaborative projects with previous clients. These days she specializes in food and travel photography and still gets a huge buzz from design in all its forms.

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EXPLORE THE NEW 2018 F-150. FORD.CA/UNDISPUTED Vehicle may be shown with optional features. ¤When properly equipped. Maximum torque with available 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine conguration. Class is Full-Size Pickups under 8,500 lbs. GVWR based on Ford segmentation. ^When properly congured. Maximum payloads with available 5.0L V8 engine conguration. Class is Full-Size Pickups under 8,500 lbs. GVWR based on Ford segmentation. †When properly congured. Maximum towing with available 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine conguration. Class is Full-Size Pickups under 8,500 lbs. GVWR based on Ford segmentation. ‡Class is Full-Size Pickups under 8,500 lbs (3856 kg) versus 2017 and 2018 Competitors. 2018 F-150 4x2 equipped with the 2.7L V6 EcoBoost® and 6-speed SelectShift® automatic transmission, estimated fuel consumption ratings are 11.9L/100-km city, 9.0L/100-km hwy, 10.6L/100-km combined, based on Government of Canada-approved test methods. Actual fuel consumption will vary. ©2017 Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. All rights reserved.

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CREATIVE DIRECTOR

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ACCOUNT DIRECTOR

Jennifer Green

ART DIRECTOR

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_01OHJ_79155_MAG_OSW_R0_2018F150OnSnow_8.125x10.75.indd 1

OCKET # FPE TKS A79155

EGION NT: Ford

Magazine Submit

LIVE:

9/21/17 6:35 PM

7.125” x 9.75”

COLOURS: 4C Cyan

Dust and glam TRIM:

8.125” x 10.75”

BLEED:

8.375” x 11”

Magenta Yellow

DESC.: 2018 F-150

NAME: _01OHJ_79155_MAG_OSW_R0_2018F150OnSnow_8.125x10.75.

FOLDED:

None

DIELINE:

A double life in Palm Springs

RT DATE: 09/20/17

D. DATE: 9-21-2017 6:35 PM

Black

PRODUCTION: Sheila Jacklin

DATE

CREATIVE: Thomas Hong ACCOUNT EXEC: Kirstie Ly PROJECT MANAGER: NA STUDIO: Lino Scannapiego PREV. USER: Lalousis, John

STUDIO

Discovered

PRODUCTION

CREATIVE

WRITER

Palm Springs looks out of place, a patch of lush green in a landscape of orange and yellow. OSW It is a literary oasis in the desert. 79155

IA TYPE: On Snow Magazine

ERTION DATE: November

PROOFREADER

ISION NUMBER: 0

C DATE: 09/21/17

ACCOUNT

Nestled at the foot of the Mount San Jacinto State Park, neighbouring the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation, T DISCLAIMER: glitzincluded andwith glamour of oldmechanical Hollywood stillProprietary thriveFonts”) in this postcard-perfect city. But don’t beof Companies fooled.ULC.The fonts and relatedthe font software the attached electronic are owned (“Y&R and/or licensed (“Y&R Licensed Fonts”) by The Young & Rubicam Group y are provided to you as part of our job order for your services, and are to be used only for the execution and the completion of this job order. You are authorized to use the Y&R Proprietary Fonts in the execution e job order provided that any and all copies of the Y&R Proprietary Fonts shall be deleted from your systems and destroyed upon completion of this job order. You warrant and represent that you wealth of nearby A-list off-roading trails will soon have you trading your tailored tux for a sporthave utesecured and a necessary licenses for the use of Y&R Licensed Fonts in order to execute our job order and will abide by the terms thereof. good pair of driving shoes. Written and photographed by Sabrina Giacomini

INITIAL

With a population of roughly 45,000 people, the town boasts a classic mall-styled airport on what is actually a former World War II airﬁeld. Stepping off the plane like Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca, throwing on my shades and rolling my suitcase on the walkways leading me through the open-air terminal, my ﬁrst few steps in Palm Springs are already setting the mood. The airport itself is picturesque beyond belief and I haven’t even stepped outside yet. This is the setting Land Rover has picked to launch the latest addition to their lineup - the new mid-priced Range Rover Velar. I didn’t understand just how clever their choice of location was until well into my trip. On the ride to our hotel, L’Horizon Resort & Spa, I can’t help but notice how much the town looks just like the way Hollywood has depicted it throughout the years. Low-slung bungalows are bathed in the shade of statuesque palm

trees. In the glory days of star power, locals rubbed elbows on a daily basis with the likes of Gene Autry, immortalized in bronze on Ramon Road, Marlene Dietrich, Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable. The original Rat Pack made this their home away from home. History has a permanent place here. All the same, Palm Springs isn’t stuck in the past. Even today it remains a favoured destination for celebrities looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and seek out the peace and quiet of the desert and cloudless sunshine less than two hours away. L’Horizon Resort & Spa feels more like a Cuban all-inclusive, adults-only retreat rather than an actual hotel. Only 25 exclusive rooms are available, and each unit is a single bungalow for the ultimate trip to privacy-land. Patrons of the hotel must be at least 21 years of age.

“I didn’t understand just how clever their choice of location was until well into my trip.”

The bungalows are connected by a network of pathways that mottles the site and connects to the main entertainment area featuring a classic hot tub, lounge chairs, poolside bar, and hammocks. If the background was anything other than a canvas punctuated with orange and purple desert mountains, you could easily mistake this place for a far away Paciﬁc Island resort. Rooms are a mix of modern and retro - a healthy balance of two eras frozen in time. Designed in the early 1950s by William F. Cody, L’Horizon was originally built with exclusivity in mind, a sanctuary for oil tycoon Jack Wrather and his personal Hollywood friends. In recent years the hotel has beneﬁted from the vision of modern architect Steve Hermann who upgraded the site in 2015 to a timeless masterpiece that builds on neutral colours, white walls, and dark accents. My personal getaway will have its home base in room #16. It’s the same size, if not bigger, than my

small one-bedroom apartment in Toronto. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide ample natural light. A pair of sliding glass doors ushers me outside onto my own private garden, a sober and minimalistic space fitted with two patio chairs and a few shade trees. The bathroom is a blend of tacky wood paneling and elegant stone with golden fixtures. Joining the bedroom and bathroom is a mini bar area fitted with a small fridge, a coffee machine and a box of delicacies including chocolate almonds and Jelly Beans. The hotel staff is highly courteous, amicable, professional and their service is spotless. Being the independent person that I am, I almost feel ashamed as my personal guide Joseph takes hold of my small carry-on bag and shows me around the resort and to my room. This is a level of exclusivity I rarely get to experience firsthand.

“Maybe I could get used to this?” 11

According to TripAdvisor, the price of my room - hum, bungalow - ranges on average between $448 and $1,275 (USD); a premium price. So-Pa, the hotel restaurant, is found by the main building close to the reception desk. It is delimited only by a wooden fence - there is no building. Here you can dine under a tree canopy al fresco. Specialties include squash risotto, wild king salmon, scallops, organic duck breasts and much more. I take a seat next to the warm ﬁrepit, knowing once the sun is gone, it is certain to get chilly. Desert life is a contrast in more ways than one. From glam to dust The quality treatment received at L’Horizon is enough to make me forget that work has to be done. On the second day of our stay in Palm Springs, Land Rover has planned an entire day of driving onboard their latest model, from the desert plains, Muskoka-like mountains roads all the way to some dusty trails in the middle of the desert. We are given a road

map, GPS coordinates, and a schedule and then we are set loose. In only two hours of driving, the landscape changes dramatically. As we leave the hotel to head towards Interstate 10, we leave the city behind. Homes are quickly replaced with ﬁelds of windmills - hundred of them, creating a mosaic of white lines against the desert background. From the Interstate, we get off the highway onto Oak Glen Road that leads us into apple-picking country. The winding road twists in the middle of endless rows of trees that sometimes open up on small farms with signs inviting visitors to pick their own apples. As we gain altitude, our surroundings start changing again. The country road turns into main road 38 that leads us deep into the San Bernardino National Forest. The path swerves between the green peaks that remind me of Quebec’s Laurentian mountains.

“Part of our drive served as a reminder that luxury and comfort is what Land Rover does best.”

The ﬁrst leg of our trip ends at sideroad 2N01, a right off the road that’s easy to miss as it swerves off into the landscape. After a short break, a driving instructor joins us - this is when the real fun begins. Part of our drive served as a reminder that luxury and comfort is what Land Rover does best, but that despite a shift in their mission as a company, off-roading is still part of their DNA. That’s why we now venture out into the wild, among the cacti and Joshua trees, to test the model’s ability to go where we don’t expect this $87,000 model to go. The off-road portion of our drive is about three hours through yellow, red and grey sand, rocky riverbeds and up and down dusty hills. It’s a beautiful Saturday and we aren’t the only ones out to enjoy the terrain. We cross paths with a few dirt bikes and dozens of lifted Jeeps equipped with massive all-trail tires and long-travel suspension.

We come across a group of nine or ten of them in a tight pass. We pull as much to the right as we can and let them through as they crawl their way up the ledge on the left to avoid us. I am at the wheel and have the window down, nodding to our fellow off-roaders. One of them even dares a comment “That thing’s too purdy to be out here,” referring to our fully decked Velar. And so far, having been impressed with the vehicle’s capability, I assure him that it isn’t. Small trees and bushes spread out as far as the eye can see with mountains, rising in the horizon. Our driving instructor recommends we don’t venture off too far. The mention of a “jumping” cactus that literally throws its spikes at on-comers is enough to convince me to stay on the unbeaten path as I step out of the vehicle to play tourist with my camera.

“As we gain altitude, our surroundings start changing again. The country road turns into main road 38 that leads us deep into the San Bernardino National Forest.

Along Burns Canyon Road and Pioneertown Road, we feel completely isolated. Or almost - sticking out from the desert ﬂora, a handful of houses is spread throughout the valley, as though someone had blown house seeds to the wind.

through the trees yellow with falling leaves. The road is delightful, knitting its way to the top of Mount San Jacinto, before heading back down towards the valley. After crossing Palm Springs northbound, we end the day back at the hotel.

Despite how remote the location feels to us, city dwellers, people have chosen to settle here, off a dust trail, in the middle of nowhere. After taking the vehicles through a particularly technical stretch that involves some minor rock climbing and a wheel or two getting off the solid ground, we stop for lunch and a vehicle swap. We eat at communal tables, sitting by the ruins of a former miner’s house, the stones dusty from all the years of desertion.

It was hard not to stop every few kilometers to snap a few pictures. The change of scenery was almost dizzying as it changes so rapidly. For all the photography amateurs who would want to tackle the roads surrounding Palm Springs, there are plenty of photo ops where you will get to stop the car safely and take in the natural beauty of the setting.

After our meal, we swap our V6 Supercharged Velar for a four-cylinder turbocharged diesel one and loop back to the Interstate. The afternoon leg takes us south of highway 10, onto road 74 that leads straight into the Mount San Jacinto State Park, another stark contrast from the morning’s landscape. Up here in the mountains, it feels like fall is catching up with us. After spending part of the day in the warmth of the desert, the air feels cool again as we drive

As the most populous state in the country, the Golden State has a little bit of everything for everyone. If your plan is to visit California, consider a stay in Palm Springs, only two hundred kilometers east of the Hollywood buzz. Once you’ve had enough of the beach, the clutter of people and the humidity, head out to the desert to enjoy the quiet of the land of sand. I would highly recommend jumping into a car and venturing out into the landscape. Keep to the (un)beaten paths and beware of jumping cacti.

Learn more about the 2018 Range Rover Velar on exhausted.ca

Featured Hotels

The turn-keyTourist

turn-key (adjective): of or involving the provision of a complete service that is ready for immediate use.

Hôtel Crillon le Brave: A picturesque city on a hill, Crillon le Brave dates back thousands of years to a time when the Roman Empire ruled southern France. Today, it hosts guests from all over the world in first-class accommodations under the shadow of Mount Ventoux, a fixture on the annual Tour de France circuit. Just say the word “Provence” and images of purple lavender fields and early October vineyards laden with harvest-ready grapes come to mind. It is, for many, the place we would all like to call home. Number of rooms: 36, including 7 suites. Address: Place de l'Eglise, 84410 Crillon-Le-Brave, France. Website: www.crillonlebrave.com

The Umstead Hotel and Spa: Two hours northeast of Charlotte on I-85, the Umstead Hotel and Spa offers the ultimate retreat for business or pleasure in the southern US. The AAA Five Diamond Award winning and Forbes 5-Star hotel delivers exclusive surroundings in a wooded, lakeside setting. A luxury resort in today’s market must include a ﬁrst-class spa and The Umstead delivers. Plush robes great guests who enter the spa as relaxation takes over in the eucalyptus sauna and steam room. Available treatments leave no soar muscle unturned. Number of rooms: 150, including suites. Address: 100 Woodland Pond Drive, Cary, North Carolina 27513. Website: www.theumstead.com

Abbaye De La Bussière: Founded in 1131 by Etienne Harding, third Abbot of Cîteaux, the Abbaye reflects the very best in luxurious accommodations set within a spectacular setting rich in hospitality and comfort. Here, silence and tranquility are a treasure to be enjoyed in equal measure with fine dining and the endless opportunity for recreation and exploration nearby. Rooms and suites are decorated in a traditional-meets-modern French style and feature exceptional amenities, cozy chairs and unique floor plans designed around 900-year-old architecture. Number of rooms: 20, including suites. Address: La Bussière-sur-Ouche, 21360 Dijon, Côte d'Or, France. Website: www.abbayedelabussiere.fr/en

Featured Hotels

Written by Jeff Voth

Chewton Glen: A privately-owned luxury Country House Hotel & Spa located in Hampshire near Christchurch in southern England, Chewton Glen features luxurious rooms, suites and treehouse accommodations in a setting straight out of a Dickens’ novel. It blends the ultimate in new world comfort with the class and sophistication of a bygone Victorian era. Chewton Glen is not only a hotel of the highest caliber, but is recognized as one England’s leading spa resorts. Number of rooms: 70, including 14 suites. Address: New Milton, Hampshire, BH25 6QS, UK. Website: www.chewtonglen.com

Terranea Resort: Terranea Resort is designed to take full advantage of the idyllic Southern California coastal microclimate. A trail hike on Portuguese Bend is the perfect tonic after a long day of travel. Rumor has it the shoreline at Terranea was the sight of the original Bat Cave from the campy 1960s TV series. Residential style accommodations set this property apart from the crowd. Bungalows, suites and casitas, some of which showcase 2 and 3-bedroom proportions with separate living and dining areas, feature subdued colour schemes and natural wood accents. Number of rooms: 582, including suites. Address: 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 Website: www.terranea.com

Royal Riviera Saint Jean Cap Ferrat: This Hotel occupies the entrance point for what is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious island residential addresses in the world — Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. This is where billionaires go to get away from it all and chill with similar well-heeled jetsetters. The multi-story main building is designed in a Neo-classic Grecian style, towering above the oversized rectangular pool; a testament to good taste and Mediterranean architecture. Villa suites are located adjacent to the pool, only a short garden stroll from the hotel lobby. Across the beach, Nice, France sits resplendent and waiting for the next mega yacht to arrive. Number of rooms: 94, including suites. Address: 3, Ave. Jean Monnet Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat 06230 - France. Website: www.royal-riviera.com/en

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Perspective

Forza Motorsport 7 Interview by Sabrina Giacomini

VICARIOUS sat down with Forza Motorsport 7 art director, Scott Lee. We talked technical challenges, videogame platforms, arts and of course, cars. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a peek at what Scott had to say about the seventh volume of the racing game franchise as well as the exciting reveal of the all-new Porsche 911 GT2 RS on the front cover. For people who are not familiar with Forza, whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the game? Forza Motorsport 7 is obviously the seventh iteration of Forza. The Forza franchise is the most popular video game series for racing in the entire world. We have over 5 millions active monthly users across all of our games and the latest version, Forza Motorsport 7, features over 700 cars, over 300 drivers, 32 tracks and 200 ribbons. There are different times of day, different weather conditions, all dynamic, and that adds up to the biggest racing game ever made.

I have to ask you; which car from the game is your favourite? Oh man! You’re asking me to pick my favourite child. This is a tough one. I have to say, I played a lot of games. I was a big Forza fan before I started working on it and I had tested many of the cars before. Some have come back, some have gone away, but I have to say that the cover car (Porsche 911 GT2 RS) is insane. I got to drive it before the world got to see it, and it was a special special treat. (...) That thing’s a beast. Speaking of the car, the GT2, that you put on the cover of your game; how does that happen? How big of a deal is that? That is as big a deal as, I think, the gaming industry has seen. We kind of expected to feature a lot of their cars in the game, which is super exciting, but they came up and offered up their brand-new (car), THE most anticipated car in a very long time. They gave us their CAD (computer aided design) designs and everything, so basically, we started building the car virtually at the same time they were developing it physically. And of course, we got to reveal it to the world. I think this is a real milestone for the industry as a whole. Being able to go to a show like E3 and reveal a car and really cross-pollinate the two worlds, it’s a ﬁrst. It really shows how far video games have come. How much do you have to stick to the reality of a model; how precise do you have to be? People probably wonder if (the cars) are exactly real, if the scale is proper. Not only do we have a commitment to making cars look great and making sure that they are as authentic as possible, but we also have a legal obligation with all the licensers, because we obviously create cars that exist in real life, to make everything correct. That means if there’s a screw that has the wrong head shape under the hood, they will tell you and they will make you ﬁx it. Everything is perfect, right down to the materials. It has to be. Porsche demands that the stitching colour for the steering wheel is absolutely correct since it’s something that they offer in their catalog. (...) We do visit all the factories. We receive CAD data, which is real, 3D data that they use to build their cars. It is highly secretive, we have to protect it. When designing that level of video game, what’s the biggest challenge? I think there are always challenges to designing big, AAA games. In the case of Forza, it really is the scope of it all. It is so huge. Having to build 700 cars to the level of detail that we need to respect, having 32 tracks and locations all over the world, having to recreate realistic weather and skies add to an incredible scope of things. The volume of work we have to do is daunting. I don’t even know how we pulled it off. I barely slept, but it is quite a challenge and something this team is unbelievably good at. It’s something that very few teams in the world can do.

Watch our full interview with Scott here. 19

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New roads

Quebec’s

Eastern Townships My trip down memory lane!

Travelling and discovering new roads is always exciting, especially when you make a turn that you’ve never made before, whether in an area you are familiar with or not. Sometimes, however, the feeling of going down memory lane on a road you’ve been on dozens of times has no parallel. Written and photographed by Sabrina Giacomini

I have always been fascinated with the concept of a motorcycle road trip. I romanticized, almost idealized, the idea of taking something so invigorating as a weekend getaway and spicing it up even more by removing two wheels from the equation. It took me close to an entire decade of having my motorcycle license to finally break the ice and that first trip turned out to be both everything and nothing like I had expected. Between the physical strain of straddling the vehicle for hours at a time, the adventure of pushing the boundaries of my comfort zone and the thrill of having such a cool story to tell, I found out there was a healthy balance of love and hate that came with the experience. Of course, the brain works in mysterious ways and after some time you forget about the pain. What remains is a vivid memory of the joy it made you feel, feelings you end up craving more and more over time. So naturally, there would be a 2017 edition to my motorcycle road trip adventures. It turns out I didn’t need an excuse to justify hitting the road once more. My dad, an avid motorcycle rider, served up the opportunity on a silver platter suggesting that for his birthday we organize a special activity with him as a trade-off from the usual gift. Road trip 2.0 would have two distinct paths as I first needed to get from Toronto, where I currently live, to Montreal where my parents reside, before enjoying the open road with the birthday boy. I needed a sturdy steed comfortable enough to tackle a busy highway and the road less travelled. Choosing the perfect motorcycle for this trip was easy; the 2017 Honda Africa Twin. With its high stance, comfortable

riding position and practical set of aluminium side cases to store my gear, it was the ideal partner for the long hours of riding that lay ahead. The ﬁrst leg of my getaway involved a fun-sucking, snooze-inducing, six-hour long drive on the Trans-Canada Highway. At its best, the 401 east is a straight line of 18-wheelers and left-lane hoggers intent on making life intolerable for everyone else as they resolutely stick to the speed limit. Not matter how hard you try to jazz things up, the fastest way to get to Montreal is also the most boring one. It is worth mentioning that if you are travelling by motorcycle, there is absolutely no point in being in a hurry. No matter how fast you hope to reach your destination, as is usually the case when I make this trip by car, your body meets its limitations much faster riding on a saddle than it does in a seat. Regular breaks and patience are key to making the journey bearable. A few strategic stops at the conveniently located ONroute service centres along the way was enough to keep the trip from being as grueling as I had anticipated.

A unique piece of Canadian history Typically, an epic road trip starts with a plan, but in this case my dad and I didn’t actually make one. Instead, we agreed the trip would take place on a Saturday and our destination would be a last-minute decision. When the time came to gear up, my dad suggested the Eastern Townships of Quebec as a possible destination and so it was decided we would head east. A treasure trove of winding roads and Appalachian hills, the Eastern Townships are considered one of our countries most cherished regions. But there is more to its story than perfect winding country roads and great food stops along the way. The region has a rich and unique history. A little over a decade after the New France colony passed into British hands, a handful of English loyalists fled the American revolution and emigrated to Canada. They were offered pieces of agricultural land owned by English seigneurs. When it became clear after the US War of Independence that the few hundred British settlers had every intention of staying in Quebec, the Constitutional Act of 1791 was drafted. This act not only divided the province of Quebec into Lower and Upper Canada, but also allowed for the colonization of the Eastern Townships territory. Governed under British common law, the region was quickly populated by English settlers. The arrival of English immigrants in Quebec also introduced the British system of townships. This form of land distribution and management was far more advantageous than the French feudal-based seigneurie system. In the townships, the land was divided into allotments of sixteen by sixteen kilometers, versus the traditional five by fifteen kilometers parcels of land preferred by the French. What was once considered a better plan for the terrain, the French system quickly showed its flaws as it favoured the already privileged landowners rather than the censitaire (tenants) who worked the land. By the 1800s, the region had already developed a rich network of roads which boosted its economic development in the fields of timber, railroads, and mining. Centuries later, the result is a series of driver and rider-friendly roads that will take travelers from Montreal to as far away as Maine in the loveliest of settings. Taking the path less traveled We set off, heading first towards Mont-Saint-Hilaire, a town located between the island of Montreal and the Eastern Townships. The easiest way here is via the Trans-Canada Highway 20, that links Montreal to Quebec City. Taking exit 115, we left the highway and headed for the countryside. This is where the fun really began. Country roads number 229 and 231 weave their way through vast agricultural lands, between Mounts Saint-Hilaire and Rougemont, offering beautiful sights and quiet streets for a peaceful yet engaging ride.

“It is worth mentioning that if you are travelling by motorcycle, there is absolutely no point in being in a hurry.” Following the 231 lead us all the way to the town of Rougemont. On the main street in Rougemont, we stopped for lunch at Cantine Chez Simone. An eclectic dive by anyone’s standard, this gem, located in a shack on the side of the street, has been a favourite of the locals for everything fast food. Word of advice- stay alert and don’t blink or you are certain to miss it! On the menu are classic hamburgers, hot dogs, some of Quebec’s very best poutine plus fried chicken and submarines sandwiches. The steamy stainless steel kitchen has a menu rivaling more celebrated eateries such as the Cheesecake Factory. After a hearty lunch, we jumped back in the saddle and onto road 112 that crosses the town and dives deep into the Eastern Townships. This secondary road is the less direct path leading from Montreal to Sherbrooke, the region’s main city. It runs almost parallel with the much busier highway 10. It also connects to road 55 that leads into the United States, passport required, of course. As an experienced rider, side roads are an excellent trade-off from the high-paced highways. They provide the ideal opportunity for a ride through picturesque villages and wooded areas and if you’re in no hurry, it’s worth the extra time. Past the city of Granby, thirty kilometers east of Rougemont, the road turns into a series of bends that are a pleasure to navigate on two wheels. We followed the path for another forty kilometers, up to the small cottage-country town of Eastman, on the outskirts of Sherbrooke. There was a feeling of familiarity as soon as we arrived; I spent many of my weekends growing up in the area as my family once owned a cottage nearby. Back then, crossing the town of Eastman was part of our weekend ritual.

Heading east on the 112, we left Eastman behind and pushed ahead. Less than ﬁve kilometers outside of the town, we reached the banks of Lake Orford. A resting area with picnic tables provided the ideal checkpoint to stop and catch our breath while enjoying an excellent view of the lake. Sitting down at a picnic table, peeling back the layers of our gear and setting them down in a pile of exhaustion and sweat, my father and I started reminiscing about the place and how much we both missed the “good ol’ days”. Past met present as we shared our favourite stories, and we suddenly realized it was the middle of the afternoon. The time had come for us to leave. We jumped back on our motorcycles and headed back towards Eastman, creeping our way back home. Before leaving the solace of cottage country behind, we agreed to take a little detour onto Chemin de Bellevue. A dirt road that swerves south off road 112, it dives deeps into a wooded area and leads to the location of our former family cottage. Both my father and I had many fond memories of this path to our cottage, with its endless bends and hills that give your stomach a belly-tingling feeling of going up and right back down again when driven at higher speeds. If my dad has had many occasions to travel down this road on both four and two wheels, I couldn’t say the same - I was still a teenager when the family decided to sell the cottage. I had since wandered back to the area for the simple pleasure of driving this road by car, but I had yet to tackle it on two wheels. Five kilometers into what felt like the middle of nowhere, we took a right turn on Chemin Fontaine a private road that swerves sharply into the countryside, lined with its very own beaver dam, private cottages, and

deer-populated grasslands before diving under a forested canopy on a continuous downward slope to the nearby lake. I remembered that turn very well; as a child it meant we were nearing our ﬁnal destination and was undeniably my favourite part of the entire road. Especially the last section, where the road dips and swerves at the banks by the lake, ultimately ending at the cottage. I had traveled up and down that hill dozens, if not hundreds of times. My best memory was sitting on a cushion on the back of my grandfather’s quad, my back to the railing, holding on tight and desperately leaning forward, hoping not to fall off because of how steep the hill was. It makes me smile even now.Today, however, with my dad riding his old

700-lbs Honda Valkyrie and me straddling the Africa Twin borrowed from Honda Canada, the idea of riding down a gravel-covered slope on two wheels had a somewhat different feeling. The last thing I wanted was to take a dented motorcycle back home. We both agreed to turn around and keep only good memories about this place, some things are better left in the past. With the afternoon quickly advancing towards early evening, reality set in as a message from my mom inquired whether we would soon be home for dinner. The thought of warm food sounded amazing and we opted for the highway on the way back to make up some time. A great ride would be followed be an even better home-cooked meal.

“When the time came to gear up, my dad suggested the Eastern Townships of Quebec as a possible destination and so it was decided we would head east.”

The 2017 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Since the introduction of the latest generation Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin last year, riders have been raving about how good it is. A dual-sport motorcycle, it does well both on and off paved surfaces. Power is provided by a 998cc, parallel twin engine that sends roughly 85 horsepower to the back wheel. Teamed with a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) on the top model, many riders will enjoy taking full advantage of this motorcycle’s versatility - though some might ﬁnd it a little alien to be missing a lever under their left hand. The DCT shines off-road, altogether eliminating the need to constantly shift and hold the clutch. A sequential transmission is available on the entry-level model for the rider who prefers a more nostalgic motorcycle experience.

The seat towers at 870mm, making it a challenge for some riders. Long legs are deﬁnitely a perk. Despite its daunting size, the Africa Twin is rather easy to maneuver - it is, after all, one of the lighter models in this category. I found the riding position to be optimal with a 90-degree bend at the knees. The 18.8-liter gas tank incurvation brings the handlebar close to the rider, allowing for a bend in the elbows that takes the stress out of changing direction. Overall, this second trip turned out better than the ﬁrst one. Despite the lack of fancy features such as heated grips and cruise control, the Africa Twin proved to be an overall good partner for a backcountry road trip.

A great road doesn’t always have to be far from home.

Learn more about the 2017 Honda Africa Twin on exhausted.ca

Splash and Dash

Niagara Wine Country

Written by Jeff Voth

The Fairmont Royal York hotel in downtown Toronto is an iconic fixture on the Canadian landscape. It’s as much Canada to the world as the beaver, Rocky Mountain snow, a toonie and Michael Bublé. Even in this city of endless glass and steel condominiums, stretching upwards like a giant Meccano set for the heavens to play with, the classic early 20th Century architecture stands proud. But, could it deliver on my early morning waffles with strawberries and whipped cream? And maple syrup; lots of Canadian maple syrup. This would be the ultimate test. The Greater Toronto area is home to approximately 15% of Canada’s growing population. The downtown core houses 2.9 million residents and has the illustrious reputation of being one the most culturally diverse cities in the world. The story of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts parallels the multi-cultural history of Toronto in many ways. The first Fairmont hotel was opened in San Francisco by James Graham Fair in the 1890’s. This was followed by distinguish properties in New Orleans, Chicago, Boston and New York to name a few, for a total of seven majestic hotels in the United States. At the same time, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) under a separate company CP Hotels was opening similar grand properties in destinations such as Banff National Park and Jasper Park Lodge, the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa and, of course, the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. Fast forward to 1999 and CP Hotels purchased Fairmont Hotels launching a major building initiative with new hotels

opening across the United States, Canada and the world. In 2006, now referred to as Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, the company was sold for $3.9 billion USD to a US holding company and Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Hotels International. The combined company would also include Raffles Hotels and Resorts and Swissôtel. Finally, in 2015 the French company AccorHotels purchased the company making it one of the most significant hotel brands in the world and truly a multi-cultural destination. Occupying prime real estate on downtown Front Street, the Fairmont Royal York is an easy walk to the Rogers Centre for a Blue Jays game or a short stroll to the Air Canada Centre to watch the Maple Leafs or Raptors play in season. This is also the heart of the theatre district, home to many of the cities best restaurants and offers easy access to the rest of the city with Union Station located right across the street. Opulence is the order of the day at the Fairmont Royal York. Guests are treated as celebrities, which there are, in fact, plenty of depending on the time of year.The recently completed multi-million dollar renovation showcases a total of 898 luxury rooms and suites on 11 floors. We arrive in our Signature room welcomed by a bottle of red wine and macarons; cookies are a tradition dating back to the very beginning. Room colours are classic grey walls with colourful carpeting; a large, ultra-soft kingsize bed offers the perfect ending to a busy day. Looking out the window, I see the balcony from which Her Majesty The Queen would wave to the assembled crowd should she be staying in Toronto. This is truly a hotel fit for royalty. For me, the Fairmont Royal York was the starting point to our adventure in the Niagara region of Ontario, home to one of Canada’s five premium wine-growing terroirs.

Situated 32 kilometres to the south on a straight-line across Lake Ontario, what should be a one-hour drive around the lake can easily take 2-3 hours depending on trafﬁc. But I wasn’t complaining. My time would be spent getting acquainted with the 2018 BMW M550i xDrive sedan and its complex occupant interface. Did I mention the heated, massaging front seats? Quicker than the 2017 M5 “bahnstormer” super-sedan, it wasn’t long before we were out of the city and cruising west along the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW). Highway driving is, for the most part, boring and uneventful, but traveling with my wife we were able to take advantage of several HOV lanes and reduce the rush-hour mayhem. Soon we crossed the

Burlington Skyway, rounded the corner at Stoney Creek and prepared to exit the main highway for greener pastures and superb backcountry roads criss-crossing the region in all its fall harvest glory. Niagara has two distinct wine growing areas; the Niagara Bench and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Rising 170m above sea level, the Niagara Escarpment moderates the local climate, determining the amount of sunlight reaching the fruit growing ﬁelds and lake effect breezes washing over the vineyards. The resulting micro-climate is perfect for growing grape varietals such as Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, Cabernet-Franc, Riesling and Chardonnay wines.

“The resulting micro-climate is perfect for growing grape varietals such as Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, Cabernet-Franc, Riesling and Chardonnay wines.”

“For me, the Fairmont Royal York was the starting point to our adventure in the Niagara region of Ontario, home to one of Canada’s ﬁve premium wine-growing terroirs.” You could easily spend a week driving from one vineyard to the next, but with the advantage of a little local knowledge and my desire to combine the best wineries with equally inspiring roads, it made choosing which ones to visit on this day a little easier.

Vineland Estates Winery and Kacaba Vineyards offer daily tastings of prized vintages. Purchase secured, we back track to make a quick stop at the lesser-known, but equally celebrated Kew Vineyards for its soulful 2015 Marsanne, a family favourite. Two bottles and counting.

Of course, there would be no wine-tasting for me as the driver, that responsibility was up to my wife and she was happy to oblige. Responsibilities would be tough on both of us, but for very different reasons.

Switching the M550i xDrive sedan to Sport mode and moving the shift lever to manual, I punch it back up the escarpment on Quarry Road as we chart a smile-inducing course through the Beamsville Bench ﬁt for this mighty BMW. A quick right at Fly Road and then back down Mountain Road before another right then left to connect with Mountainview Road and we are suddenly at Fielding Estate Winery. Curtis and Heidi Fielding have created a beautiful winery, overlooking Lake Ontario below and on a clear day such as this, sunshine reﬂecting off the Rogers Centre in downtown Toronto. I can almost see the Fairmont Royal York Hotel; its time to return.

Leaving the QEW at Ontario Street in Beamsville, we stick to the south service road for 8 km before exiting on Cherry Avenue. A straight shot south towards the escarpment, we soon cross the King’s Highway (Hwy #81) and disappear under a canopy of red and orange coloured maple trees. The road is littered with foliage as we crest the top on our way to the Tawse Winery, Canada’s top winery in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2016. Of special note is their superb selection of Chardonnay wines and one of my favourites; a 2016 unﬁltered Gamay Noir. Close by, Megalomaniac Winery,

The Blue Jays game game starts in a few hours and with good trafﬁc and 456 horsepower underfoot, we should easily cover that distance with time to spare. Cheers!

Learn more about the 2018 BMW M550i xDrive sedan on exhausted.ca

Featured Region

Abruzzo Italy A bucket-list “must do” for the driving enthusiast

Planning a trip to Rome? No doubt the Vatican, Colosseum, and the Roman Forum will be on the itinerary, and wisely so. However, when the crowds and congestion overwhelm, it’s time to rent, buy, lease, or steal a car and head 80 kilometres east. Okay, maybe not steal a car; the inside of a jail cell may be your most memorable sight. With legally acquired wheels, one can leave the chaos behind and ﬁnd themselves immersed in the tranquility of the “greenest region in Europe.” Written by Rob Rothwell, photographed by Jasmine Van Heijster-Waheed

Abruzzo (pronounced a’brutto) is a region of central Italy situated 80 kilometres east of Rome. With a geographic size of 10,763 square kilometres, Abruzzo is tucked between the idyllic shores of the Adriatic Sea to the east and the jagged peaks of the Apennine Mountain Range to the west. One-third of Abruzzo’s land mass is set aside as National Parks and protected nature reserves. The region’s motto of “forte e gentile” (strong and gentle) is perfectly ﬁtting for this land of only 1.2 million inhabitants.

But don’t be fooled by the vast stretches of tranquility and stunning scenery, Abruzzo is a foodie’s paradise. In fact, it was voted the best Italian region to eat in by tourists responding to a survey by the Organization Confesercenti of Italy. Gnocchi, pasta, lamb, goose, and pork are popular dishes prepared the authentic way with ancient family recipes in small cafes and local restaurants in villages not overrun with demanding tourists glued to hectic schedules.

“One-third of Abruzzo’s land mass is set aside as National Parks and protected nature reserves.” In Abruzzo, one kicks back while savouring some of Italy’s ﬁnest wines and olive oils. The rolling hillsides are home to stately vineyards and lush olive groves. And the best way to take in the vistas of green is from the open-air comfort of a convertible sports car. Exploring Abruzzo by car is one of those bucket-list experiences that all motoring enthusiasts need to fulﬁll.

“Abruzzo is tucked between the idyllic shores of the Adriatic Sea to the east and the jagged peaks of the Apennine Mountain Range to the west.” Within 90 minutes from Rome, one enters the Abruzzo region and is soon passing through the medieval town of Sulmona. Many historic villages and settlements follow, along with the embrace of time-worn cathedrals, basilicas, and museums. Over the course of several days, Abruzzo explorers will immerse themselves in the grandeur of the Apennine Mountain Range, and peak Corno Grande at 2,912 metres, to the never-ending sandy Blue Flag beaches of the Adriatic coast. Hillside roads are more like narrow serpentine paths linking together hamlets sprinkled throughout the vast, largely undeveloped valleys of Abruzzo.

The winding roads stitch together a beautiful tapestry of life less hectic in a part of Italy time has yet to wrought with waves of tourists seeking guided idealism. This is a land of unrestored architecture and rough-hewn beauty, perfect for exploring by car. Whether it’s behind the wheel of a classic Fiat Cinquecento, a raging Ferrari, or simply a budget rental, no motoring bucket list is complete without a couple of days spent on the backroads of Abruzzo, Italy.

“Addio, mia bella terra.”

Accessorize your road trip Whether it’s over several hours or several days, road trips can be nourishment for the soul. A romp along country roads with wind in the hair and sun overhead doesn’t require hours of planning or outrageous expense. Simply get in, buckle-up, and go! As enjoyable as a road trip can be, certain items greatly enhance the experience, and here are six of my favourites in no particular order of importance.

Thermal cup I simply don’t leave home without it. A quality cup will keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold. Find a purveyor of ﬁne coffee and ﬁll’er up. Avoiding gas station coffee is recommended unless it’s the “last chance Texaco.” Reusing a personal cup is good for the environment, and in some small fractional way, offsets the carbon emitted as the miles roll by, unless an electric motor is doing the propelling.

Snack food – preferably unhealthy I’m not about to endorse a national donut chain, but a box of Timbits is the perfect indulgence thanks to their one (or two) bite size. Less mess is good when it comes to car food, and I can proﬁciently consume those little round balls of fat with nary a crumb lost to gravity. Of course, healthier treat options exist, such as grapes and granola bars. In my world, they’re the saviours that follow a descent into hydrogenated purgatory. All good road trips must start with sinful treats before guilt redirect one’s palate to the healthier side of the snack bar.

Polarized sunglasses Why polarized? Simple. Polarization eliminates much of the glare that reflects off the road, the windscreen, and even the vehicle’s dash when the sun is hitting these areas at certain angles. A polarized lens will filter-out glare, which greatly reduces eyestrain while improving vision. Glare endured during hours of driving on a sunny day can trigger headaches and cast a shadow (sorry for the pun) over an otherwise perfect day at the wheel. Polarized sunglasses will reduce the severity of glare and help prevent pre-headache tension. The mitigation of glare through polarization is also beneficial when boating; it’s amazing how much more can be viewed in shallow water when glare isn’t a factor.

Getting There Written by Rob Rothwell

Fold-out road map Regardless of how sophisticated modern navigation systems are, and how smart Google Maps is, there’s no replacement for a fold-out map. These huge sheets of printed data can be spread over a table to depict a huge geographic region beyond that which in-dash or smart phone screens can reveal. Reading paper maps has become a lost art, but those who take the time to familiarize themselves with the practice will be amazed at the content available. Not only are roads depicted but most maps will use various colours and line thicknesses to denote the type of road or freeway. Distances are easily calculated by adding up the tiny mileage numbers along a particular road while elevations can also be determined by topographical lines. Most maps include a legend explaining the meaning of the many symbols and codes used on a typical map. It’s all there for you to see without swiping or pinching!

Music A decent-sounding audio system can vastly improve a road trip, especially for music buffs. I love many genres of music but get especially stoked on a road trip with the likes of CCR, Cream, the Rolling Stones, and other classic rock bands that actually played instruments rather than relied upon looped electronica. Favourite tunes may be contained within a collection of CDs or digitally stored in a vehicle’s “Jukebox,” if so equipped. Perhaps the countless genres of satellite radio keep toes a-tapping. Streaming music by Bluetooth from smart phones has become immensely popular along with music-sharing platforms such as Spotify. However sourced and processed, favourite tunes are better appreciated when sewn together by ribbons of blacktop and vistas of beautiful scenery.

Bathing suit and towel Surprised? There is nothing more refreshing than ﬁnding a cold lake, river, or beach for an impromptu dip on a hot day. Throw a beach bag containing the basics into the car; you never know when the perfect watering hole will appear. In August of this year, my son and I were on a road trip that took us through the Cascade Mountains in central Washington State where the temperature hit 43C. We discovered a sandy bank along the Methow river and waded in wearing just our shorts. The crystal-clear water was breathtaking, refreshing, and invigorating beyond words. Afterwards, we threw our shirts over our soaking bodies and climbed back into the Z4 with the roof down. Within a few miles, the wind had dried our clothes like a Maytag. The dip remains as a highlight of that awesome trip!

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around, you could miss it.” — Ferris Bueller.

Cretan blues

Paradise, thy name is Crete

Written by Kelly Taylor

We’re high on a hilltop in Crete overlooking Elounda and the Aegean Sea when the view literally speaks to me: pull over. Now. From the crystal clear water to the sky, to how both paint the hills across the bay, the view is putting on a study of blue. Pastel blue, navy blue, royal blue. It’s hard to tell where the sea ends and the land or sky begins. It takes your breath away and rewards you for having the good sense to slow down and take it all in. We take it all in before jumping back into the 2019 Porsche Cayenne and resuming our route in this car’s international media launch. The new Cayenne will arrive in Canadian dealers in the summer of 2018. Crete is an island steeped in history and central to many aspects of today’s society. It is the birthplace of democracy: citizen power started here before it did in mainland Greece. It is also home to the namesake of the entire continent. In Greek mythology, Europa is the mother of King Minos of Crete.

It is arguably the birthplace of modern literature, as it is where Homer’s Odysseus was born. (The Odyssey also contains the first appearance of the name Kriti, Greek for Crete.) It is also considered the birthplace of civilization: the Minoans, who lived here from 2700 to 1400 B.C., are regarded as the planet’s first recorded civilization. On the twisty, silken-smooth highway from the airport in Sitia to our hotel in Agios Nikolaos, we pass an archaeological dig. Scientists have uncovered a Minoan village and are carefully unearthing what appear to be very well-constructed stone walls. Yet the Minoans are just one of many races to have inhabited this southern outpost: Myceneans, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Venetians, Ottomans and today, Greeks. During the Second World War, it came under the Hitlerian rule and was attacked by paratroopers in the bloody Battle of Crete in 1941. So fierce was the resistance from Allied forces and local Cretan fighters, Hitler banned further large-scale paratroop operations. It’s an island so beautiful, it’s hard to imagine it was overrun by war. That beauty is thanks to its location almost at

the southernmost point in Europe, and the Mediterranean Sea, which gives it a temperate climate year-round and some of the most delicious food you’ll find anywhere. The island separates the Aegean Sea from the Libyan Sea.Seafood is a large part of the Cretan diet, and we enjoyed some of the best on offer. At our lunch stop, Thalassa Restaurant in Elounda, an octopus was braised in a stew of tomato sauce resplendent with cinnamon. Calamari was crispy and greaseless, while the authentic Greek salad — meaning it had not a molecule of lettuce or anything leafy — was bursting with fresh tomato, onion, oregano, green pepper, olive and feta cheese flavours. Here, feta isn’t something that’s just crumbled parsimoniously throughout the salad. Instead, it’s served as one big slice sitting atop the vegetables, itself drizzled with olive oil and flecked with oregano. The main course was fish so fresh it had been swimming only hours before. Grilled simply, it needed just a squeeze of lemon juice for seasoning.

Next door, at Delphini Restaurant, you could see freshly caught octopi hanging in the sun to dry. Done right, as at Thalassa and at our dinner the same day at Taverna Giorgios, octopus is unique in texture but should not be rubbery. Giorgios grilled our tentacles to a smoky, almost steak-like ﬂavour. The dolmades, think cabbage rolls but with grape leaves instead, were moist and nicely seasoned, again with hints of cinnamon and spice. Hold that main course, just bring more appetizers. At Giorgios, I opted for the veal, which was grilled to a perfect medium rare and requiring nary a hint of seasoning. The grilled vegetables and potatoes were served family-style, and each group of four diners got some lovely, crusty buns with fragrant olive oil for dipping. Both restaurants seemed a little monotone

You won’t be disappointed. Tourism plays a major role in Crete’s economy, but not the only one. Combined, manufacturing and packaging comprise half the island’s economy, such that Crete is unique among Greek islands as not being solely dependent on tourism. Agriculture, particularly viticulture and olives, is also an important sector. A signiﬁcant contributor to that tourism economy is our hotel, the Daios Cove Luxury Resort and Villas. Here, any memory of the Greek economic meltdown is carried away on the gentle breeze that cools your lanai, complete with your own pool the width of your suite, if you choose. While the water was far too cold on this late-October day — I got as far as my waist before bailing — the lanai was the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine and begin composing this story. The next morning, the temperature was crisp, but a hot coffee and watching the sunrise was a glorious start to the day. My room had a large, luxurious bathroom, complete with separate shower and tub. The WC had both a toilet and a bidet. The large television had a good selection of English language programming, including pay-per-view movies.

in their vegetarian offerings, however. Stuffed peppers, overflowing with rice and minced aromatics, smelled delicious, but each was similar to the other restaurant’s offering. The fish dish was served whole, simply grilled. Those who chose it raved about the freshness and flavour. The two restaurants are located on the same street in Elounda, which is just north of Agios Nikolaos, about a half hour drive from our hotel. The street is closed to traffic and packed with gift stores spilling their wares out into the flow of pedestrians. You could spend an hour browsing on your way from parking to either restaurant. The service at both restaurants was attentive but not pushyand highly intuitive, able to anticipate our needs almost before we said anything. Hint: always have the local wine.

Wifi was fast, with strong signal levels: impressive given the vastness of the property.Daios is built into the hillside, with villas on seven levels. So expansive and so hilly is the property, a team of drivers stands ready to shuttle you to your room on extended golf carts. Three funiculars — think inclined elevators — are also available and extend from the hotel’s highest to lowest points. Signs discourage pedestrian traffic. Three restaurants and three bars are scattered throughout the property, all serving delicious seafood and high-end cocktails. The main pool offers both swim-up service and an infinite edge overlooking the cove, while below, a sandy beach provides access to the sea for saltwater swimming. There is, of course, a spa and an arguably overpriced gift shop, as well as a jewellery store and another selling reasonably priced beachwear. In case you forgot, of course. Evidence the hangover from Greece’s economic woes is limited largely to Athens is found on the hotel’s website (https://www.daioscovecrete.com). The best price found was C$316 a night, while the standard rate is just a smidge more than C$1,000. C$1.50 per euro.)

Learn more about the 2019 Porsche Cayenne on exhausted.ca

Of course, we’re here to drive, and our drive route took us through the real Crete, through towns carved up by tiny, narrow streets, some so narrow I was searching for the button to fold the mirrors as oncoming trafﬁc approached. Some streets were so narrow, passing was mere fantasy. The doors of homes exit right into the street — you have to pay attention so you don’t take out someone’s front step as you drive by. It’s almost as if the civic geography predates the wheel. At one point, an older woman was selling what looked like citrusy fruit juices at a stand not much more sophisticated than a typical kid’s lemonade stand. At another, we stopped for a photo at a local taverna, where the service extends across the street to tables overlooking a lush valley. The taverna itself appears built into a hotel built with bright white stucco and royal blue shutters on the windows, with plants and art at the gift shop below bursting with colours. The new Cayenne matches up with the island very well. The roads up into the hills from the seaside are incredibly twisty, and the Cayenne, despite being a large sport-utility vehicle, is carving them with copious aplomb. When a curve tightens unexpectedly, just turn the wheel more. Unless you’re driving like an idiot, you’ll hit your limit before you hit the Cayenne’s. The Cayenne offers just the right blend of daily drivability, race-track-worthy handling and off-road prowess, especially with the optional, three-chamber air suspension. That suspension provides for varied height — for loading, for normal driving and for off-roading. It also varies the damping response: tight for handling, loose for comfort and for maximizing wheel articulation off-road. On our jaunt through an olive grove, up steep hills and over loose gravel — sometimes at the same time — the Cayenne offered no hiccups, no complaints, just solid, steady progress. The promenade in Agios Nikolaos is worth a stroll. Lined up against the sea, it’s a diverse collection of buildings in various colours of stucco, comprising several shops, tavernas and cafés. If you’re into history, you’ll ﬁnd churches that date back to the seventh century. Crete is an exceptionally easy place to be a tourist. English is everywhere, and most everybody you meet speaks enough of it you’ll have no

problems being understood. Most signs are either bilingual or entirely English, too. It also helps the island drives on the right side of the roads. Getting to Crete isn’t quite as easy as being there. For our stay on the island, which was set to start at the airport in Sitia on the eastern tip of the island, we flew Lufthansa from Montreal to Munich and had a charter to Sitia. Sitia, however, doesn’t appear to have much in the way of commercial air traffic: it doesn’t show up on any Star Alliance or Air Canada flight search. Heraklion, the capital city, is a far easier access point, but don’t try conventional airline search engines. Pretty much everything goes to Athens and then you switch to Olympic for the flight to Heraklion. (Your airline of choice might be able to book you a Heraklion itinerary over the phone, just not online.) For the ultimate eastern Mediterranean vacation, it would be worth considering flying to Santorini. The airport has more connections to western Europe than Heraklion, and then you can take a ferry. As an example, you can ferry from Santorini to Heraklion, in first class with beds for two people, for a total of just less than €126. (www.go-ferry.com) Heraklion is worth a visit. The city was founded in the eighth century by Arabs expelled from what would become Spain’s Andalusia region, though it is located near the Minoan palace Knossos, which archaeologists say existed around 2000 B.C. The name derives from Heracles, the gatekeeper of Olympus and the Greek god of strength, heroes and athletes, among other portfolios in his job description. Museums and art galleries abound, and as the cradle of civilization, you’ll find earlier history here than in most western democracies. The Heraklion Archeological Museum contains artefacts, such as the snake goddess, dating back to 1600 B.C. Owing to the plethora of civilizations to have lived here, you’ll find everything from 19th-century mosques to 16th-century Venetian fortresses, such as Castello a Mare at Heraklion’s inner harbour. From almost all perspectives, paradise, thy name is Crete. The food, the people, the scenery and the climate — even at the start of winter — are all equally compelling.

Porsche, can we go back soon?

Featured Road

Iceland

Reality is Fantasy

I slowly exit the vehicle and draw in a deep, long breath of fresh cold air. The stillness around me is stiďŹ&#x201A;ing, and the silence causes my ears to ring ever so slightly from the strain of trying to hear something, anything at all. The road stretches out behind me, and in front curves sharply and down, disappearing behind what some might consider elvish caves or as they would be properly known in Iceland: HuldofĂłlk homes. Written by Miranda Lightstone

On all sides, I’m surrounded by gently blowing snow, sheer ice, and rocky, uneven terrain. To my left towers a great wall of stone with lazy entrails of mist and fog rolling near its peak, and to my right a flat, open field where Icelandic horses roam, their furry multicoloured coats and manes ruffled in the midday wind that whips around my muddied ride and through my fire-lined hood that tickles my cheek and forehead. "It’s January. I’m in Iceland. I’m driving on the iconic Icelandic Ring Road on my way to visit Europe’s largest waterfall and to cross a glacial river. Epic doesn’t even begin to describe this exact moment in my life." When I initially received the invite to travel up to Iceland and experience its natural wonders for myself, I was met with an internal mix of sheer excitement and joy at the prospect of seeing this mythical landscape, along with the dread of being there in the dead of winter in January amidst snow, ice and all things cold. Truthfully, heading to Iceland in the winter months means very limited daylight hours (roughly only four hours of light all day while I was there, with the sun rising around 10:30 am and setting close to 3 pm), but that lack of light will not detract from the sheer magic this country exudes round every bend and in every nook and cranny. With about 350,000 people living on an island that’s only 40,000 square miles (and a sheep population that is more than double that), Iceland is the most sparsely populated European country, which perhaps adds to the overall beauty of its otherworldly landscapes. With over 50% of that population believing that the existence of elves and trolls is possible, it also makes it the highest density of dreamers and creatives, which is likely why so many great fiction and poetry authors have emerged from the barren Icelandic hills. It also adds to the fantastical aura you’ll sense each time you gaze out the car window at the vast and sprawling rocky terrain that’s both

alien and fantasy all wrapped into one. Active volcanoes, undergoing geothermal springs, hot geysers, waterfalls, glacier rivers, fjords, sprawling open fields directly below impossibly high ice-laden mountainous rocks; Iceland has it all, and you can see each one of these awe-inspiring natural occurrences traversing the Icelandic Ring Road that, quite literally, circles the entire island, even bringing you through the country’s capital Reykjavik (which translates to “Bay of Smokes” thanks to the geothermal springs that run beneath it). With photo opportunities around every corner, I take my time driving in Iceland, dropping off Route 1 often to explore the inner portions of Iceland like the Dettifoss waterfall that somehow manages to be both powerful and beautiful in its sheer size and height equal parts, then on to the Hvitá glacial river. Despite Hvitá’s fast-flowing and frigid waters -- as well as near 25-degree approach angle, 21-degree breakover angle, and 31-degree departure angle – my borrowed SUV traverses it with ease. Between breaths, the ethereal surroundings are punctuated with many expletives. Icy, clear water still dripping from the undercarriage, I park in the middle of the frozen tundra and turn to see the sun setting between two stone giants in the distance. It’s coming up on three in the afternoon, and we’re running out of daylight. The sky is a mixture of pink, orange, and lavender cotton-candy clouds. There’s already a dark patch encroaching opposite the pastel palette. As I stand with my face towards the setting sun, all I can hear in the distance is the rushing of pristine clear glacier water, and the occasional splash of horsepower galloping in the free-flowing river. I shuffle my feet atop the slippery terrain and fill my lungs with crisp, cold air once again. The silence is as deafening as ever, but it’s far from oppressive. Instead, it’s the most liberating thing I’ve experienced so far in my journeys.

SPECS: Route 1 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ring Roadâ&#x20AC;?, Iceland Total length: 1,332 km Surface: asphalt, gravel Speed limit: 90 km/h Year completed: 1974 Hazards: unpaved sections, winter conditions, single-lane sections, active volcanoes

Exit lane

Resurrecting the Classic Canadian Road-Trip Written by Rob Rothwell

It’s our hope that you found this octane-drenched inaugural edition of VICARIOUS interesting and entertaining. I’m going to step out onto a limb here and say that you – our valued reader – is a car person, and that you love road trips as much as we do! Exploring little-known backroads and the many communities which dot rural landscapes are the building blocks of a memorable road trip. While a vehicle of some form is the conveyance, it’s not necessarily the core of the experience. For me, it’s the Mom and Pop cafes and the eclectic antique stores in which time has stood still for decades that stand out as highlights in equal proportion to horsepower and torque. The feeling one gets when stumbling upon the perfect little diner or vintage shop in a dusty town is magical. I love that, but I also love the sense of freedom and exhilaration that can only be generated behind the wheel, somewhere between home and a million miles away. It’s on road trips that bucolic valleys give way to snow-capped mountains, rivers feed into oceans, and humans are replaced by livestock. Despite my reverie for the classic road trip, it feels to me as though this archetype of Canadiana is going the way of V8 engines and the manual gearboxes. So, I ask the question: Is motoring for the sheer pleasure of it being crushed under fuel expenses and the crusade to go green? Or is something else driving the decline of the classic Canadian road-trip? Regardless of what may be fuelling the apathy, I hope that we are not becoming a society of “road-trip viewers” in four minutes or less on YouTube; that would be heartbreaking. There is so much to be gained during a road trip by those of all ages. Time on the road immerses us in opportunities to bond with one and other, spending carefree time connecting, which is such a precious commodity in our snap-chat world. If this edition of VICARIOUS, and our future editions, inspire you to spread-out an old fashion paper map and hit the road with family or friends, or solo, it will have made every tap on the keyboard and every sip of cold coffee more than worth it. Let’s resurrect the classic Canadian road trip this summer. We’ll tell you about ours and hope that you’ll share yours! The old adage, “getting lost is worth the coming home,” has never held greater meaning. So, by all means, get lost on a country road; there’s no wrong turn.

Have fun and safe motoring.