Owners and guests at Castello di Casole will surely have heard of the Mille Miglia: it is a luxury car enthusiast’s dream come true. Dozens of classic cars from the likes of Ferrari, Bugatti, Lucia, Alfa Romeo and Aston-Martin put on a 1,000 mile, four day parade running a circuit from Brescia to Rome and back — in some years even roaring right past Castello di Casole! It’s a family-friendly event where spectators can view some of the best metal ever put on wheels. The Mille Miglia 2012 will be staged from May 17-20.

But it was not always so.

During the first 30 years of its existence, the Mille Miglia was a high speed road race. Despite featuring the highest-performance automobiles of the time, road conditions and reckless competition claimed 65 lives in 24 races, including those of several spectators. The authorities banned the race in 1957.

A year later, the Mille Miglia reappeared in a rally format running at normal highway speeds, with a few relatively safe sections at top speed. This incarnation of the race ran for only four years before it was also discontinued by governmental order.

From 1977 on, the Mille Miglia Storica has carried on the tradition as a parade of classic luxury automobiles. Running at safer speed under controlled conditions not only keeps drivers safe, but offers unparalleled viewing of these magnificent vehicles in action.

The race runs different variations of its circuit each year, many of which run within an easy commute of the Castello di Casole. If you want to experience the race as an owner, be sure to book your reservations early. Owners from all over the world make race time a high-demand week.

Learn more about this exquisite estate by visiting the website or via email, info@castellodicasole.com or infoeurope@castellodicasole.com.