London to Portofino in a day?
Discussion
Driven from Santander to the algarve quite a few times, about 700 miles. Gets really boring and you just seem to go faster and faster, 100 feels like 30 after a few hours of it!! I am more of the thinking now to do 2 x 350 mile days rather than it all in one hit. Never done it in a particulary 'exciting' car just range rovers which are very comfortable but never going to set the world on fire!!! The worst bit about long trips in the car I find is that when you get there its always very late and everything (supermarkets, restaurants etc etc) are shut!! You are also dictated by your travel times from Santander as that ferry is not like the dover/calais-tunnel services with a fair few every hour. I still enjoy it though, but thats probably because I have an absolute hatred of airports and everything that goes with them!!!
4leks said:
Will be mostly travelling around a week or so, Portofino is just a first destination point. That's why I would prefer to take 360 than flying there & hiring a car.
Any particular places you would suggest to visit? Cinque Terre is on the list already
Siena and Lucca for starters. Both stunning places. Further afield...head south east well into Tuscany. All depends on whether you need to get back to Portofino every night, or you want to stay away for a night....this will open up further possibilities :-)Any particular places you would suggest to visit? Cinque Terre is on the list already
PlaneFan said:
Siena and Lucca for starters. Both stunning places. Further afield...head south east well into Tuscany. All depends on whether you need to get back to Portofino every night, or you want to stay away for a night....this will open up further possibilities :-)
ThxI've been to Lucca before (as well as Pisa & Florence), have not been to Siena. Is there any nice places on the Ligurian seaside? Wanted to spend couple of days on the beach as well. I'm planning to drive from Portofino south to Cinque Terre but have not made any further plans. Pretty flexible. No, I don't think we'll be coming back to Portofino every night
I'm not familar with the Liguria region, but south of Florence is the Prada/Miu Miu outlet store - stunning place for a spot of shopping, and very close to TheMall.it, another great shopping destination. Destination wise, head to Cortona and spend the night there, then take in Assisi to the east and Montepulciano to the west. Very very nice places to go to.
I wouldn't drive to the Cinque Terre, they aren't very accessible by car especially a 360! I would go on the train or by boat. Loads of lovely little places on the Ligurian coast - Camogli just up the road, Rapallo, Santa Margherita, Chiavari, Sestri Levante then further down over the Col di Bussang (on the SS1 Via Aurelia coast road) down towards La Spezia is Lerici. No need to go as far as Siena from here save that for another trip. Genova itself is a cool city, not too far to Monte Carlo either with some nice places on the way such as Alassio and Finale Ligure. There's loads of twisty roads in land which are great fun to drive. I love this region, probably my favourite of all Italy.
I've done 1000 miles in a day last January (Perugia - Amsterdam). Took us 14 hours or so even going through Germany - it is not easy to get a decent average these days.
On your itinerary, I wouldn't do it, though. First of all: you have to catch the Chunnel, that costs you quite a bit of time. Second, you lose an hour in time difference. Third, the road to Portofino is very narrow and takes you a bit of time too. Someone mentioned driving to Monaco as a comparison, but last year it took us I think close to 3 hours from Monaco to Portofino. Let's put it this way: it can certainly be done, but would it be a nice trip?
I stayed at the Splendido Mare in Portofino (woke up with view over the harbour - fabulous hotel!!) last year. I took my 330GTC there, had a great time. But the road to Portofino was seriously stressful. It is only 2.5m (7 to 8 ft) wide at some points with tourists driving like maniacs and Italian bus drivers slightly worse. There were some close calls and the 330GTC is a narrow vehicle. I would not take my 550 Maranello there. Parking is also a problem, space is very confined in the parking garage (which is the only place you are allowed to park). I think it is not a good place to take a supercar. Perhaps I'm getting old....
Hope this gives a bit more info. Have a safe trip and enjoy it!
Onno
On your itinerary, I wouldn't do it, though. First of all: you have to catch the Chunnel, that costs you quite a bit of time. Second, you lose an hour in time difference. Third, the road to Portofino is very narrow and takes you a bit of time too. Someone mentioned driving to Monaco as a comparison, but last year it took us I think close to 3 hours from Monaco to Portofino. Let's put it this way: it can certainly be done, but would it be a nice trip?
I stayed at the Splendido Mare in Portofino (woke up with view over the harbour - fabulous hotel!!) last year. I took my 330GTC there, had a great time. But the road to Portofino was seriously stressful. It is only 2.5m (7 to 8 ft) wide at some points with tourists driving like maniacs and Italian bus drivers slightly worse. There were some close calls and the 330GTC is a narrow vehicle. I would not take my 550 Maranello there. Parking is also a problem, space is very confined in the parking garage (which is the only place you are allowed to park). I think it is not a good place to take a supercar. Perhaps I'm getting old....
Hope this gives a bit more info. Have a safe trip and enjoy it!
Onno
I posted the folllowing post last year http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... when I drove from Bandol in the South of France to home (in Essex) via the Chunnel which was a total of 810 miles one-way and I did with one single stop for fuel. The time from Bandol to the Chunnel was a total of 8h 45m with one single stop for fuel (and a pee) and I recall my average speed including peages and Lyon centre etc was about 77mph. I was averaging on the cruise control 82-82mph on the autoroutes.
You have to weigh up whether you want to use the car as a replacement for the plane to get down there and then use it in Italy as you expect to or use the drive down (and back) as part of the holiday experience.
Remember going off the autoroutes or getting stopped by the police will only increase your average and total time so perhaps you should think in a tortoise way if you are in plane replacement mode as opposed to the hare.
Autoroutes can be boring but there can be something perversely satisfactory about optimising a car's performance over a long journey.
You can then spunk the cash you have saved on the journey for having proper playtime fuel in Italy!
Stu
You have to weigh up whether you want to use the car as a replacement for the plane to get down there and then use it in Italy as you expect to or use the drive down (and back) as part of the holiday experience.
Remember going off the autoroutes or getting stopped by the police will only increase your average and total time so perhaps you should think in a tortoise way if you are in plane replacement mode as opposed to the hare.
Autoroutes can be boring but there can be something perversely satisfactory about optimising a car's performance over a long journey.
You can then spunk the cash you have saved on the journey for having proper playtime fuel in Italy!
Stu
R555WRS said:
I posted the folllowing post last year http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... when I drove from Bandol in the South of France to home (in Essex) via the Chunnel which was a total of 810 miles one-way and I did with one single stop for fuel. The time from Bandol to the Chunnel was a total of 8h 45m with one single stop for fuel (and a pee) and I recall my average speed including peages and Lyon centre etc was about 77mph. I was averaging on the cruise control 82-82mph on the autoroutes.
You have to weigh up whether you want to use the car as a replacement for the plane to get down there and then use it in Italy as you expect to or use the drive down (and back) as part of the holiday experience.
Remember going off the autoroutes or getting stopped by the police will only increase your average and total time so perhaps you should think in a tortoise way if you are in plane replacement mode as opposed to the hare.
Autoroutes can be boring but there can be something perversely satisfactory about optimising a car's performance over a long journey.
You can then spunk the cash you have saved on the journey for having proper playtime fuel in Italy!
Stu
I think the OP will need more than 1 stop for fuel in his car !!You have to weigh up whether you want to use the car as a replacement for the plane to get down there and then use it in Italy as you expect to or use the drive down (and back) as part of the holiday experience.
Remember going off the autoroutes or getting stopped by the police will only increase your average and total time so perhaps you should think in a tortoise way if you are in plane replacement mode as opposed to the hare.
Autoroutes can be boring but there can be something perversely satisfactory about optimising a car's performance over a long journey.
You can then spunk the cash you have saved on the journey for having proper playtime fuel in Italy!
Stu
JazzyO said:
But the road to Portofino was seriously stressful. It is only 2.5m (7 to 8 ft) wide at some points with tourists driving like maniacs and Italian bus drivers slightly worse. There were some close calls and the 330GTC is a narrow vehicle. I would not take my 550 Maranello there. Parking is also a problem, space is very confined in the parking garage (which is the only place you are allowed to park). I think it is not a good place to take a supercar. Perhaps I'm getting old....
Onno
Agree 100%. Onno
Thank you for input, guys.
I've decided I will be going to Genova only on the 1st leg. Not a big difference but should save me an hour or so going down from GEO to Portofino especially if I'm late and will be approaching in the dark.
Yeap, I'm pretty sure I will require more than 1 stop for fuel unfortunately
I understood the roads around Portofino are pretty narrow so it will be a bit of challenge driving around. But we are not planning to stay in Portofino itself for too long, will be travelling around to explore Ligurian coast etc.
I've decided I will be going to Genova only on the 1st leg. Not a big difference but should save me an hour or so going down from GEO to Portofino especially if I'm late and will be approaching in the dark.
Yeap, I'm pretty sure I will require more than 1 stop for fuel unfortunately
I understood the roads around Portofino are pretty narrow so it will be a bit of challenge driving around. But we are not planning to stay in Portofino itself for too long, will be travelling around to explore Ligurian coast etc.
TISPKJ said:
Just bear in mind when you say you have not done for a while that exceeding the 130kph (85mph)in france is now a serious no no.
Not sure of levels but think 130 to 160 is or was about 90 euros / £90, 160 plus is a ban in france and they will take your license and car until you can ship out a friend to drive it home for you.
I remember as a kid watching big mercs and bm's cruising at 100 mph plus thinking one day, now I have something that will do it they move the goal posts !!
Just be careful and enjoy
170 and they'll take the car away...under you are OK, just a little fine.Not sure of levels but think 130 to 160 is or was about 90 euros / £90, 160 plus is a ban in france and they will take your license and car until you can ship out a friend to drive it home for you.
I remember as a kid watching big mercs and bm's cruising at 100 mph plus thinking one day, now I have something that will do it they move the goal posts !!
Just be careful and enjoy
I do the trip to France 4-6 times a year to Courchevel, Cap Ferret or Britany and generally set the cruise control at 160kmh / 95mph.no problem at all.
Also the french police cars are usually very visible, if you are careful they are easy to spot, especially on the highways.
Last year i did London Cannes in 1day in the 360 - very good cruise, but a little too long, especially driving that fast as you need 200% attention tocheckforpolice cars and the slow Brits and Belgiums who dont usually know how to get back to slow lane or put their blinkers on when passing.
Enjoy!
Edited by 911Thrasher on Friday 27th May 20:55
Edited by 911Thrasher on Saturday 28th May 00:08
Just drove to Cannes from London West End. Left yesterday at 13:00 (joining by coincidence all the Gumballers for a 15:45 Shuttle). Stayed overnight at the Mercure (Accor) in Troyes - ok hotel with underground safe parking. Started at 5:00pm from Troyes this morning and drove past Lyon on the Autoroute and then took a left towards Gap and eventually the Route Napoleon. Great driving with very little traffic arriving in Cannes at 16:00. 850 miles in total. Average 107 km/h and 3 stops for petrol. If you follow the Autoroute to Marseille you can probably save 3-4 hours.
4leks said:
on the way back will be staying overnight somewhere half way
any recommendation where to stay between geneva & dijon?
I'll be leaving early afternoon so should pass Geneva by 8pm but it is unlikely I will reach dijon
Try Bourg-en-Bresse, there's a Best Western Hotel, can't remember the name but fairly easy to find with secure parking, Hotel is typical old school French but OK for an overnight stop.any recommendation where to stay between geneva & dijon?
I'll be leaving early afternoon so should pass Geneva by 8pm but it is unlikely I will reach dijon
OP
I used to do your planned route fairly regularly, apart from the time I forgot the Mont Blanc tunnel was still closed. As mentioned, in the past you could cruise fairly quickly with no issues but now I tend to stick around the 150kph mark for most of the French part.
Just watch out for stupid things like crossing solid white lines on the slip roads (90Euro fine for that one), and also on the way up the road to the tunnel after you turn off a Chamonix. One of our lads missed half a days skiing because he was pulled for crossing the white line to get past a truck that was stuck on the hill.
Once you get to Italy it's fairly easy going. The run down from Aosta is pretty good and the A7, iirc, from just after Alessandria to Genova is a good run. I think it's the A7, anyway, my missus doesn't like it because it's too twisty in places.
Enjoy, I wish I was having a drive down myself sometime but no time at the minute.
I used to do your planned route fairly regularly, apart from the time I forgot the Mont Blanc tunnel was still closed. As mentioned, in the past you could cruise fairly quickly with no issues but now I tend to stick around the 150kph mark for most of the French part.
Just watch out for stupid things like crossing solid white lines on the slip roads (90Euro fine for that one), and also on the way up the road to the tunnel after you turn off a Chamonix. One of our lads missed half a days skiing because he was pulled for crossing the white line to get past a truck that was stuck on the hill.
Once you get to Italy it's fairly easy going. The run down from Aosta is pretty good and the A7, iirc, from just after Alessandria to Genova is a good run. I think it's the A7, anyway, my missus doesn't like it because it's too twisty in places.
Enjoy, I wish I was having a drive down myself sometime but no time at the minute.
A few years ago I did Cannes to Calais overnight in 7hrs 10 mins (750 miles approx) in a 996 Turbo. I was driving at crazy speeds and fuelling every 160 miles. spent a fortune on fuel, but I found that at those speeds you could never get tired and your mind is always fully concentrated.
These days, I would never drive that fast any more as I wouldnt want my car taken away and left stranded in the motorway. However, I would highly advise that you make your trip through the night. I find it a lot safer as cars in front see you coming especially if you flash them with your high beam lights and there seems to be far fewer cops out there too! Aim to arrive to Calais no later than 1am I would say. Try to cruise at 155kph...
These days, I would never drive that fast any more as I wouldnt want my car taken away and left stranded in the motorway. However, I would highly advise that you make your trip through the night. I find it a lot safer as cars in front see you coming especially if you flash them with your high beam lights and there seems to be far fewer cops out there too! Aim to arrive to Calais no later than 1am I would say. Try to cruise at 155kph...
Portovenere is well worth a visit and is not much further.Far less confined than Portofino and plenty of PARKING.I drive it in a day in a 7 seater van leaving at 4am.
I avoid France. Got fined once.
I do the Belgium/ Luxembourg /switzerland route which is always more picturesque than France and of course Tolls/tax are cheeper and Fuel is horrendously cheap In Luxembourg.I have found there is only an hour or so in it.
If your going via France then Monaco is worth a quick mooch en route.
Enjoy the adventure ,Its well worth it.
I avoid France. Got fined once.
I do the Belgium/ Luxembourg /switzerland route which is always more picturesque than France and of course Tolls/tax are cheeper and Fuel is horrendously cheap In Luxembourg.I have found there is only an hour or so in it.
If your going via France then Monaco is worth a quick mooch en route.
Enjoy the adventure ,Its well worth it.
Good morning all,
A bit of forward planning as we are driving from Leeds to Portofino next year. We have been to Portofino a few times but never drove and always fancied it but never fancied the long journey in a 430. Have now changed to a California so it will be much more comfortable.
We are planning to get the Folkestone/Calais Eurotunnel and then drive say half way approx and spend a night or two somewhere. Has anyone got any recommendations on where's nice to stay hotel/city wise?
A bit of forward planning as we are driving from Leeds to Portofino next year. We have been to Portofino a few times but never drove and always fancied it but never fancied the long journey in a 430. Have now changed to a California so it will be much more comfortable.
We are planning to get the Folkestone/Calais Eurotunnel and then drive say half way approx and spend a night or two somewhere. Has anyone got any recommendations on where's nice to stay hotel/city wise?
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