Alfa Romeo brought a comprehensive production model line up to the show, displaying the 147, 159, Brera and Spider, the cars arranged in a row on the immaculate lawns. His Excellence, the Ambassador of Italy, Dott. Gaetano Cortese (next to car); with (from left to right) Sign. De Tomasso (representing of the Italian Embassy), Signor Aris Spada (organiser of the best of Italy promotions), Mr. Oger Lussink (Italian Fashion promoter, representing top class men's fashion shops in main towns in Holland), Mr. Lars van der Veen (salesmanager of Kroymans Maserati Hilversum) and Mr. Han Akersloot, (PR and Marketing consultant for Maserati and Alfa Romeo in Holland). Alfa Romeo and Maserati represented the Italian automotive industry during the event, with highlights being the Maserati Quattroporte and Alfa 8C Competizione, the latter in particular drawing a constant stream of admirers the whole time.

Maserati and Alfa Romeo took centre stage as the two brands participated in one of Holland's most popular lifestyle events, the Italian-themed Taste of Italy, held last weekend in the splendid grounds of the beautiful Castle of De Haar in Haarzuilens, in the centre of the country. This event has become something of a tradition for Dutch people who enjoy Italian products and the style of living, and this year was being held for the fifth time.

His Excellence, the Ambassador of Italy for Holland, Dott. Gaetano Cortese, made a special visit to the show and visited the Maserati stand amongst others, along with Sign. De Tomasso, also representing of the Italian Embassy, Signor Aris Spada, the organiser of the best of Italy promotions, Mr. Oger Lussink, Italian fashion promoter and award winner of the Mondo Italia Award for the best promotion with Italian products, who was representing top class men's fashion shops in main towns in Holland. His Excellence, dott. Gaetano Cortese, naturally keeps control of the steering wheel when driving and enjoys driving cars including an Alfa 159 2.2 JTS, a Lancia Thesis and a beautiful Lancia Ypsilon.

The event was deemed to be a huge success, and during the three days it was open to the public a record number of more than 25,000 visitors walked around the castle in the lovely weather and made visits to all the typical Italian-oriented special product counters set up in a long line of canvas-covered stalls. There were stalls set out for special foods and wines, fashion, houses in Italy, Italian cars and scooters, and holidays in Italy.

Alfa Romeo and Maserati in Holland represented the Italian automotive industry during the event, with highlights being the Maserati Quattroporte and stunning new Alfa 8C Competizione, the latter in particular drawing a constant stream of admirers the whole time. Alfa Romeo brought a comprehensive production model line up, displaying the 147, 159, Brera and Spider, the cars arranged in a row on the immaculate lawns, while the imminent world première of the exciting new Mi.To was reflected in backdrop posters.

The medieval residence De Haar was founded in the course of the fourteenth century, on sediment deposits along a blind arm of the river Rhine, and it was simply the perfect venue to host Taste of Italy.  The first references to the castle date back to 1391. De Haar, however, is really special because - more than 100 years ago now - it was entirely restored and partially rebuilt, resulting in a restoration unparalleled in Europe. This involves not only the architecture, but also the interior and the gardens. Even the church and the village were involved in this project so that, without exaggeration, one could say it is a 'Gesamtkunstwerk' (integrated work of art): this is the creation of a unique, special, world in which all aspects of man's creative talents could flourish.

De Haar already had its current, large pentagonal ground plan in the fifteenth century. It probably got this shape after the castle was destroyed in 1482 as a result of the quarrels between the Bishop and the city of Utrecht.

After this, the castle was rebuilt, but in the course of the eighteenth and nineteenth century it fell into disrepair. The ruinous condition came to an end as from 1890, when the young owner baron Etienne van Zuylen van Nijeveltdecided to have the ancestral castle restored in grand style. In 1892 the first activities at the castle started. In a few years time an impressive castle would arise by incorporating the existing, still high-rising, fifteenth century walls. Nowadays the result can be viewed by anyone who wishes to visit.