September European road trip

[R8Steve]

So I've finally decided to stop thinking about it and just get in the car and do it. I’m off work for 11 days the middle of September so have decided to do a European road trip. I've mapped out my proposed route having read with interest the other road trip threads i have read with interest on here - https://goo.gl/maps/9wk7o

The plan is to combine camping/hotels depending on what’s available when i decide to stop so there is no need to be anywhere at any given time. It’s a very rough route at the moment with nothing set in stone – i don’t want to over-plan it though and make it more of a chore than it needs to be.

For all you European regulars, could you have a quick look at my proposed route and let me know if i’m missing anywhere along that rough route that i really should be visiting and how has everyone found getting campsites/hotels along the way with no pre-booking?

I’ll do a full write up with the usual complimentary pictures/go pro footage on my return for anyone that may be interested

[heebeegeetee]

Hi, Unfortunately I don't have time to look very closely at your route, but I have two immediate thoughts - it looks like there's a lot of m'way driving there - then also, inside that circular route is an enormous area of utterly wonderful driving roads, and you seem to be travelling around the outside of most of it.

Eastern France has a lot of great stuff, both above and below Switzerland. Towns like Nancy and Annecey are very nice, but Annecey is like a gateway to an enormous playground and is an easy 8 hours from Calais.

Personally I'd question going to Modena, simply because you'll be spending a lot of time travelling to and from, time which could be spent in the Alps, I'd suggest.

[R8Steve]

heebeegeetee said:

Hi, Unfortunately I don't have time to look very closely at your route, but I have two immediate thoughts - it looks like there's a lot of m'way driving there - then also, inside that circular route is an enormous area of utterly wonderful driving roads, and you seem to be travelling around the outside of most of it.

Eastern France has a lot of great stuff, both above and below Switzerland. Towns like Nancy and Annecey are very nice, but Annecey is like a gateway to an enormous playground and is an easy 8 hours from Calais.

Personally I'd question going to Modena, simply because you'll be spending a lot of time travelling to and from, time which could be spent in the Alps, I'd suggest.

Thanks for that, that's kind of what i was afraid of! I've put in locations i'd like to visit and google has found me the quickest most direct routes missing out all the great roads on the way. Seems like I really need to do some more planning and break the trip into smaller sections.

[mr pg]

R8Steve said:

Thanks for that, that's kind of what i was afraid of! I've put in locations i'd like to visit and google has found me the quickest most direct routes missing out all the great roads on the way. Seems like I really need to do some more planning and break the trip into smaller sections.

Yep, you've missed out all the great passes in France and Switzerland in the middle of your route. Our trip was 2000 miles over 9 days, with 2 long days, and the others being 200 miles or so each day. This gives you time to stop and enjoy the views.

[R8Steve]

mr pg said:

R8Steve said:

Thanks for that, that's kind of what i was afraid of! I've put in locations i'd like to visit and google has found me the quickest most direct routes missing out all the great roads on the way. Seems like I really need to do some more planning and break the trip into smaller sections.

Yep, you've missed out all the great passes in France and Switzerland in the middle of your route. Our trip was 2000 miles over 9 days, with 2 long days, and the others being 200 miles or so each day. This gives you time to stop and enjoy the views.

Do you have the details of your journey or did you do a write up by chance?

[mr pg]

R8Steve said:

Do you have the details of your journey or did you do a write up by chance?

A brief summary:
Calais to Beaune, via Reims.
Beaune to Les Houches (nr Chamonix) via Annecy then La Clusaz
Les Houches to Quinto via Grimsell, Susten, and St Gottard passes.
Quinto to Val d'Isere via Nufnenen, Great St Bernard and Petite St Bernard passes.
Val to Annecy via Col de l'Iseran and excursion to Mt Cenis lake.
2 nights in Annecy, then to Amiens, followed by Ypres, and back to Calais.
2080 miles from N London.
HTH

Paul.

[Allyc85]

In the south of France go up the Route Napoleon. East of between Castellane and Grenoble there are endless amounts of amazing roads

North of Dijon take the D996 then head for the old pit garages outside Reims.

Edited by Allyc85 on Monday 24th August 20:47

[Zed 44]

You could almost spend 11 days touring great roads in southern Germany and take in the Andermatt loop for less mileage than going to the highlands of Scotland and not pay one thin dime for a motorway.

[dcb]

Zed 44 said:

You could almost spend 11 days touring great roads in southern Germany and take in the Andermatt loop for less mileage than going to the highlands of Scotland and not pay one thin dime for a motorway.

+1

Hundreds of miles on French motorway to the south coast, apart from the toll costs,
doesn't look like fun.

Plenty of fascinating driving to do in the Alps. I prefer Austria & south
Germany, but some posters prefer Switzerland and the French Alps.

More details on

http://www.alpineroads.com/

[Roastie ITR]

R8Steve said:

Do you have the details of your journey or did you do a write up by chance?

Apologies if you have spotted it, but just to let you know that there is a sticky at the top of the page with links to peoples Euro trip write ups.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Futureclassic]

Rather than go all the way to Florence i would recommend the Cisa pass between Parma and La Spezia. The road surface is a bit rough with a few bits which you will have to watch the car on, but on the whole really worthwhile. The road to look for is the SR62.

[nightflight]

I'm going next week. Basically; Loire, Dordogne, Geneva, Chamonix, Italian Lakes, Austria (Grossglockner), Germany (Rothenburg, Heidelberg), and then migrant dodging in Calais!