Woke up, and decided to Drive to Spain.

[redback911]

>Reserved<

Edited by redback911 on Wednesday 4th April 18:58

[redback911]

Well, we really enjoyed the weather last week and I am now sat looking out at the snow on the fells, British weather at its best. Our recent decision seems like an even better idea. I woke up on Monday and asked the wife if she fancied a tour of Southern Europe, taking in parts of France, Spain and Italy, she agreed and we will now leave this Sunday.

First decision was to take the ferry instead of driving 800kms of French auto-route. The ferry is 30 hrs but at least it will give me time to plan a route :-)

That's about as far as I got. The plan is to then take two weeks to drive back to the UK from Barcelona, via Cannes/Nice, Italy, Switzerland and Germany (with hopefully a TF day at the ring).

Totally unprepared, but at least the Porka is full of oil, tires are good and I have a full tank. Will take some pictures as the journey progresses and hopefully no bad news.

Edited by redback911 on Thursday 26th April 21:42

[TIGA84]

Day 2 sounds a bit dreary.

Fair play though, sounds like a cracking trip, check on Ben Lovejoys site about the TF days.

[TheDeadPrussian]

Don’t miss the Pyrenees; there are some fantastic roads well worth a drive.

If you’re a fan of the Tour de France you will recognise many of them.

Also the Millau Bridge.

(Take a decent book for the ferry journey)

[type-r]

Did the same thing a few years ago... well worth it. The French Riveria is stunning, the Millau Bridge (a bit of a detour for you though), see if you can get on to route Napolean on the way into Cannes, Monaco of course, make sure you visit Lake Como, the Stelvio Pass, a factory visit to Stuttgart (someone on here a few years back gave me the email address of someone at the Porsche Factory and I got a private factory tour with escort guards!) and definitely a day at the Ring on the way back!

[NorthDave]

I did Bilbao down to Mallaga a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Worth heading east to San Sebastien when you are staight off the boat. Great food and a lovely town which makes you think the ferry was worth it. After that just waft down.

Might be worth watching the recent Rick Stein on Spain program as he toured north to south I think?

[redback911]

Thanks all, great tips so far. Added to the itinerary (in no specific order):

San Sebastien
Millau Bridge (Norman Foster jobby)
Stelvio Pass (assuming its not under 6ft of snow)
Route Napoleon
Lake Como

[mountainreef]

I drove to Italy last summer, around 2000 miles so things that i forgot (or rather didn't want to think about)were :

1) Tolls - quite expensive in France and Switzerland when you're doing 20 euros every 50-100KM
2) Petrol - I'd be surprised if you drive at the speed limit on a lot of those roads I think I was getting 280miles out of a tank on the way out

Tolls + Fuel was around £1000 I think? As I said, I just blotted it out haha..

Switzerland is amazing for driving, especially some of the passes. We went into Italy via St Bernard Pass into La Clusaz which gave us Lausanne, Chamonix, Verbier etc.

On the way back from Italy we went into Switzerland from Lake Como (stunning)then we went over the San Bernardino pass into Hospatelier (awesome run) onto Zurich and then Basel before popping into Germany.

Oh a bit mundane but make sure you have the breakdown triangle with you as i think it's mandatory?

I thought that the Como-San Bernardino (Sion area I think) side of was more visually stunning than the Chamonix - lake Geneva side however that's personal preference. It's as I said earlier an extremely beautiful country.

Edited by mountainreef on Wednesday 4th April 15:28

[Actus Reus]

Austria from my mate's chalet, this morning. Worth a drive around Bavaria and Austria too...

[r1flyguy1]

Did the same a couple of years ago, my mate and I in Boxsters from Bilbao to The Hook, 3000 miles 10 days, incredible roads and a stop off at the Stuttgart to visit the Museum

Incredible, can't wait to do it again



Lake Garda, Italy


Pyrenees


Border between Spain & France


Just awesome trip, I am envious

[redback911]

Nice pictures! Austria is tempting as well, just wondering if we should bypass Italy and tour Austria. I guess we could just check the 5-day weather report when we leave Barcelona to head north around the coast.

Back to practical trip planning, just negotiating with the wife. She is going to mess up the MPG and handling with the amount she wants to take:



Front



Rear





I wanted to avoid having any luggage on show so not planning to use the cargo netting area in the rear. Also I do not really want a bag smacking me in the back of the head if I brake hard.

Edited by redback911 on Wednesday 4th April 16:39

[Actus Reus]

Where's the wife going (assuming the dogs are in the passenger seat and passenger footwell)?

[redback911]

Actus Reus said:

Where's the wife going (assuming the dogs are in the passenger seat and passenger footwell)?

Be nice to take the dogs, it would save paying for a dog/house sitter. Still last time I took my dog out in a sports-car (Boxster) it vomited. Maybe it was the silver/red combo, I know it made me quesy.

[Actus Reus]

Anyway you could mount them on that wing - it's about big enough for both of them if they stay lying down...

[Trev450]

Just as well you've got a Cayman with its two 'boots'. Sounds as if it will be a great trip.

[redback911]

Actus Reus said:

Anyway you could mount them on that wing - it's about big enough for both of them if they stay lying down...

I am compensating, still I have seen bigger/better. Just need to save my pennies up!

[Actus Reus]

I agree with Trev though - sounds like a great trip. I wouldn't mind doing something similar in my (unspoilered) Cayman S, though I fear I won't have time this year - maybe a short blat over to France, but that'll be it.

[FarQue]

Dan - brilliant trip you've got planned. Pictorial updates expected, please.

[hunter 66]

Took my 964 RS to the south of Spain via Paris , San Sebastian , Vitorrio , Salamaca , Madrid .
Mad place to drive , insanely good roads even with RS ride.
Driving Gods land every Hatch wants to "dice" .
Great Memories

[Oi U]

It seems that you are getting some good advice here. Thoughly recommend the Millau Bridge, but would also suggest routing to France via Andorra. I would also try to avoid motorways generally as they cost and are boring.