Italy is celebrated for its picturesque scenery, world-class cuisine, rich art, and beautiful automobiles.
Living next door in Greece has allowed me to visit many times, but one entry stayed unchecked on my automotive bucket list: the Museo Alfa Romeo in Arese.
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The excuse I had been waiting for arrived with the brand's annual birthday celebration, which this year coincided with the museum's 50th anniversary.
I planned the trip myself and covered every expense, except for the press car that Alfa Romeo kindly lent me so I could experience the event through the eyes of an Alfisti.
Before reaching the museum, let me guide you through the metropolitan sprawl of Milan, the beautiful villages of Lake Como, and the lakefront city of Lugano in Switzerland.
Meet the Alfa
My ride was an Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida Sport Speciale, which sits below the flagship Initiale and Veloce trims.
The Brera Red paint was complemented by a contrasting black roof and three-spoke 18-inch Fori alloy wheels, giving the small SUV a richer presence than its price suggests.
Beyond the Sport Speciale badges on the fenders, this grade features vintage Alfa Romeo lettering across the scudetto grille and gloss black accents.
Initially, I wasn't a fan of the Junior's busy styling, but in this configuration it has a hint of exotic flair and makes you look twice.
The mild-hybrid turbo 1.2-liter engine produces 143 hp (107 kW / 145 PS), unchanged from the standard Junior.
