Driving to Umbria
Discussion
We drive down to Umbria, or have done for the last few years, and usually go left at Reims and down through Switzerland, overnighting around Lucerne.
We did come back the Geneva route last year, but that was after spending a couple of days in Portafino ( Never again!)
Looking at a change this year and thinking of going down through Germany, overnighting around Innsbruck. Not a mad rush from a time perspective, as will be off for a few weeks.
Anyone done similar, or have any recommendations?
Any and all appreciated. Last week of August.
We did come back the Geneva route last year, but that was after spending a couple of days in Portafino ( Never again!)
Looking at a change this year and thinking of going down through Germany, overnighting around Innsbruck. Not a mad rush from a time perspective, as will be off for a few weeks.
Anyone done similar, or have any recommendations?
Any and all appreciated. Last week of August.
We've done the Lakes / Tuscany via Austria twice, neither of which which were ideal - I'm hoping I manage 3rd time lucky.
First time was during Covid, so we went Tunnel -> Cologne - France was on the red list, but Eurotunnel didn't count for some reason. 1st stop was Aachen for fuel - we didn't get out of the car in actual France. Then we did Cologne -> Neuschwanstein which was OK, but Neuschwanstein and the surrounding area was totally dead - very strange. Then it was Neuschwanstein -> Salo on Lake Garda, we went over Timmelsjoch, which was OK, but then when you get off the pass, the drive to Lake Garda is really quite tedious.
We did have pretty much your exact trip planned for 2022 - overnight Harwich -> Hook of Holland and then first overnight at the Stage 12 in Innsbruck, but had to cancel 5 days before leaving due to a death in the family.
We re-planned for 2023 and went overnight Harwich -> Hook of Holland - I 100% recommend this if you're heading through Germany to Austria - it's a lovely relaxing start to the holiday. First overnight for us was Nuremberg - we got there about 4pm. It's a nice place, but no problem going further if you want to. We then spent a couple of days in Salzburg - no idea why I thought this was a good idea - I'm not a Mozart fan and wouldn't bother going back. We then planned to head into Italy over the GrossGlockner - spending a night in a cabin at the top of the pass. The pass was completely shut due to snow (late May), so we had to re-route and went the long way round through Austria to Venice. We had never been to Venice and were somewhat wary, but it is a fantastic place and well worth a visit.
Coming back we went via Corsica. Ferry from Savona, a week in Corsica and then a ferry to Marseilles then a quick blast to Barcelona. There is a ferry that goes from Civitavecchia to Barcelona which looked fun, but didn't fit with our plans. From Barcelona we headed to Logrono, San Sebastian and then Santander for the ferry back to the UK.
I am trying to figure out an interesting route for our next trip - car ferries on the Med are much cheaper than equivalent distances on routes that originate in the UK.
First time was during Covid, so we went Tunnel -> Cologne - France was on the red list, but Eurotunnel didn't count for some reason. 1st stop was Aachen for fuel - we didn't get out of the car in actual France. Then we did Cologne -> Neuschwanstein which was OK, but Neuschwanstein and the surrounding area was totally dead - very strange. Then it was Neuschwanstein -> Salo on Lake Garda, we went over Timmelsjoch, which was OK, but then when you get off the pass, the drive to Lake Garda is really quite tedious.
We did have pretty much your exact trip planned for 2022 - overnight Harwich -> Hook of Holland and then first overnight at the Stage 12 in Innsbruck, but had to cancel 5 days before leaving due to a death in the family.
We re-planned for 2023 and went overnight Harwich -> Hook of Holland - I 100% recommend this if you're heading through Germany to Austria - it's a lovely relaxing start to the holiday. First overnight for us was Nuremberg - we got there about 4pm. It's a nice place, but no problem going further if you want to. We then spent a couple of days in Salzburg - no idea why I thought this was a good idea - I'm not a Mozart fan and wouldn't bother going back. We then planned to head into Italy over the GrossGlockner - spending a night in a cabin at the top of the pass. The pass was completely shut due to snow (late May), so we had to re-route and went the long way round through Austria to Venice. We had never been to Venice and were somewhat wary, but it is a fantastic place and well worth a visit.
Coming back we went via Corsica. Ferry from Savona, a week in Corsica and then a ferry to Marseilles then a quick blast to Barcelona. There is a ferry that goes from Civitavecchia to Barcelona which looked fun, but didn't fit with our plans. From Barcelona we headed to Logrono, San Sebastian and then Santander for the ferry back to the UK.
I am trying to figure out an interesting route for our next trip - car ferries on the Med are much cheaper than equivalent distances on routes that originate in the UK.
Doing an overnight ferry is so much more efficient (and fun) than doing the tunnel. For most people in the South of England, you can leave home "after work" - assuming that's relevant - board the ferry (a really slick process) and then settle down for a decent dinner. Then you account for the hour time change during the night and disembark in Holland at 8am well rested and ready to go. It's about 90mins through Holland until you hit unrestricted Autobahn.
The tunnel has it's uses, but for driving holidays an overnight ferry is the way to go.
The tunnel has it's uses, but for driving holidays an overnight ferry is the way to go.
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