London to Portofino in a day?

[mike01606]

Beni997 said:

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?

What time of year and are you going through France?

I think Chamonix takes a bit of beating anytime of year. Spectacular surroundings and some great things to see but maybe it's a bit too far for night one.

Troyes has a nice old town and we've often stopped there on our way to the Alps. Can't advise on a nice hotel though as we normally use Ibis Budget

[Behemoth]

Beni997 said:

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?

Reims, no question.

[Frrair]

Yep, champagne region for me too.

Do it in 300 to 400 mile chunks and enjoy the trip.

[mike01606]

Behemoth said:

Reims, no question.

God call actually.....I missed the OP was travelling from Leeds so Reims is >400 miles in.
A good opportunity for a stop at the old circuit at Gueux for a photo opportunity. In fact worth the couple of mile detour even if not stopping there.

[Iva Barchetta]

Reims is also where one toll ends and another starts a few miles further so an obvious stopping point.
Pics at the old circuit are compulsory.

[Beni997]

Thanks for the replies guys. We will be going in june.

[Juber]

I did Hampshire to Grenoble in a day (14 hours). Got the 6am tunnel from Folkestone to Calais. The journey was boring. We stopped for lunch in Rimes which was a nice change of scenery.

[Behemoth]

If you're looking for somewhere to stay in Reims, centre of town is great with plenty of restaurant & bar choice. We usually go to the Best Western on Rue Buirette. Secure parking & minutes from the main drag. There are also vast numbers of chateaus to choose from out of town & over to Epernay & beyond but they tend to be isolated & have rarefied atmospheres. After a long drive you'll need the choice and not be stuck in a remote place where the sniffy kitchen closes at 9 and you've arrived a bit late. Been there, done that

[Yacht Broker]

I did Lymington to Perpignan via Monaco a few years back. Left Lymington after work and arrived in Monaco for breakfast then Golf Juan for lunch and Perpignan later that afternoon. From memory it worked out at approx 1,000 miles... and all in a VW T5 with no air-conditioning and a grumpy pregnant wife snoozing in the back.

That was too much imho, but I am planning a couple of trips this year in the 997. The first is a jaunt to Tignes to go mountain biking. We'll put a stop in at Le Mans for a few days (staying at Speedchills campsite in Beausejour for the 24hrs race). The second will be a blast down to Viareggio to visit my colleagues, although I may wait until I switch up to a Maserati Grantourismo for that one (hopefully at the end of the year if funds allow).