Our
Story
It was during the winter of 2024, in the snowy region of South Tyrol, that On Cars and Drives came to life — born from the combination of three distinct passions of mine: cars, road travel, and the Alps.
After logging nearly 100,000 kilometers driving across Europe, it became clear that I wanted to spend more time in the Alpine region. During a year living in the town of Merano, I came to realize that the Alps are far more than awe-inspiring rock formations with deep valleys and towering peaks. They are a gorgeous, inviting — yet at times intimidating — place, shaped by a unique mix of nature, culture, and history.
The endless roads that meander through mountain passes called me to explore the region and connect with its people. I learned that the Alps foster a distinct mentality and way of life — still deeply shaped by the climate — one that requires time, openness, and perseverance for outsiders to understand.
The endless roads that meander through mountain passes invited me to venture out and explore the region and its people. I learned that the Alps breed a special kind of mentality and attitude, and that it takes time and perseverance for an outsider to understand such subtleties and cues of cultures dictated by the climate still to this day.
Fortunately for me, the Alps also host a wide range of automotive venues, stretching from southern Germany to northern Italy, across France, Switzerland, and Austria. That offered the perfect motive — and a sense of intentionality — for On Cars and Drives. It became a quest to discover the most compelling museums, rallies, car meetups, concours d’elegance, and, of course, the scenic drives that lead to them.
Beyond such venues, there's a one-of-a-kind blend of nature and culture. Every mountain pass is a must, filled with overwhelming beauty and a daunting sense of might, while each town unveils a trove of tasteful restaurants, hip hotels and lodges, and an array of coffee stops deep with character.
On Cars and Drives is rooted in the simplicity of exploring without much planning, allowing for the randomness of occasions that guide me wherever the road leads. Each place, each drive, fascinates me in its own unique way.
I travel exclusively in my own vehicles, occasionally by bike — and often accompanied by my loyal, fluffy, four-legged partner Mila.
Singular car venues
in-and-around the Alps
On Cars and Drives strives to portray authentic angles of the Alpine range and its surroundings, seeking out car-related venues and stunning drives, while making thoughtfully curated stops along the way.
From the south of Germany to the north of Italy, On Cars and Drives is in pursuit of some of the greatest automotive museums, scenic rallies, charming hill climb competitions, the most coveted concours d’elegance, as well as grassroots enthusiast meetups and insider group drives.
The goal is to also showcase what the Alps offer beyond these venues - from eye-catching vistas and cultural sites to unapologetically well-designed hotels and cafés.
On Cars and Drives is an invitation to get out on the road and explore, a guide for car enthusiasts and the travel-obsessed looking to discover this unbelievably beautiful part of the world.
Who is behind
On Cars and Drives?
A man and his obsessions.
World citizen or simply a citizen in the world? Behind On Cars and Drives is Guilherme Giusti — or just Gui — a São Paulo native and lifelong car enthusiast. An avid traveler with a deep obsession for road trips, Gui has lived, studied, and worked across global cities like New York, Los Angeles, Berlin, and Sydney, as well as cult-favorite gems such as Portland, Nice, and Merano in South Tyrol.
Now based in Milan — the perfect launchpad for exploring Alpine passes, lakes, and cultures — Gui draws on the seamless access to everything this exquisite Euro-region has to offer, from northern Italy to southern Germany and all that lies between.
With a background in Marketing and Strategy at global firms, followed by a consulting career in Design & Innovation, Gui eventually left the corporate world to return to his childhood passion: cars. It was in South Tyrol that OCND was spontaneously born — an initiative devoted to portraying the Alpine range while chasing the most iconic (and in-the-know) automotive venues, meetups, and drives.
Gui is often joined by his fluffy four-legged partner, Mila; he hunts down character-filled cafés, relies on music to set the right tone, and always drives his own cars to explore.
For collaborations and partnerships,
please contact info@oncarsanddrives.com