Road trip advice

Author
Discussion

MrMcG

Original Poster:

9 posts

116 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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Hi All,

New to forum and just looking for a few tips to prepare for a road trip I’m planning having not done anything like this before, I thought it prudent to see if anyone has or might have experience in this so here goes –

Car is a vantage V8 and im planning on going to Switzerland ( Alps for skiing ) Italy, onto Germany into France then home, Would like to stop off at a few places on the way Monte Carlo etc. Aiming to spend 2 nights in each place except Alps which will prob be 3 or so for skiing with the missus.
My queries are driving in Switzerland I assume I need snow chains or similar as well as the normal travel pack with triangle breathalyser etc.. I’ve seen murmurs that winter tyres have to be put on which if so won’t be good when going to the other countries if its not cold enough etc..
Has anyone used a vantage v8 for skiing how did you store the ski’s or did you use a roof rack?

Literally just asking for any advice

Cheers

RizzoTheRat

25,084 posts

191 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
quotequote all
In switzerland you need to buy a pass if you want to use the motorways, it's not like a French Payage where you pay on entry/exit, but to buy a pass for a period of time and display it on the windscreen.

DO NOT GET CAUGHT SPEEDING IN SWITZERLAND! The fines are eyewatering.

MrMcG

Original Poster:

9 posts

116 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
quotequote all
RizzoTheRat said:
In switzerland you need to buy a pass if you want to use the motorways, it's not like a French Payage where you pay on entry/exit, but to buy a pass for a period of time and display it on the windscreen.

DO NOT GET CAUGHT SPEEDING IN SWITZERLAND! The fines are eyewatering.
Ahh thank you very much for that something i didn't know, ill check that out and where to buy.

thanks

hashluck

1,611 posts

274 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
quotequote all
MrMcG said:
Ahh thank you very much for that something i didn't know, ill check that out and where to buy.

thanks
You can buy them at the border (if you don't have one they will insist :-)

Same for Austria

Carry hi-vis jackets one for each occupant INSIDE the car (not in the boot).

I have never used a Vantage for skiing but imagine it would be very fast downhill smile

Some countries they will not even let you on certain roads without chains irrespective of tyres - I suggest some online research on that as rules can be changeable

RizzoTheRat

25,084 posts

191 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
quotequote all
hashluck said:
I have never used a Vantage for skiing but imagine it would be very fast downhill smile
Pretty good up hill too, just make sure you've got a cello case in the back in case you break down. hehe

john ryan

481 posts

131 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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You may find Menton easier than Monte Carlo - we did a few weeks ago and took the train to Monaco (about 10 minutes). Suggest you use the route Napoleon up to Grenoble - it's messy up through Grasse, but then fabulous. In our case a trouble free 2300 miles round trip in a 2007 V8V.

Speculatore

2,002 posts

234 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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Did this from the 6 - 13 June - DBS, DB9, V8Vs, V8V.



Vee12V

1,329 posts

159 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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@Speculatore You wouldn't happen to have that roadbook in more detail? Looks great.

Ed50

2,574 posts

180 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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Vee12V said:
@Speculatore You wouldn't happen to have that roadbook in more detail? Looks great.
Oh yes he does,trust me its a work of art……….read


avinalarf

6,438 posts

141 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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Best advice I can give you is,go on your own,and look out for any leggy blondes. thumbup

MrMcG

Original Poster:

9 posts

116 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
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Gents what can i say

thank you very much for everything so far smilethumbup

Really appreciate this and its proven to be very helpful so far.

F1 NDW

1,116 posts

145 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
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Speculatore said:
Did this from the 6 - 13 June - DBS, DB9, V8Vs, V8V.


I've just done something very similar myself but I took the ferry to Belgium and stuck north into Germany ASAP. First night in Baden Baden. What a fantastic drive on the German motorways, 130 to 160 most of the time. Second day was down to Grindelwald in Switzerland where we spent three nights. The most fantastic scenery in the world around the Eiger, Wengen and Murren.
Next over the Furker pass to Andermat for the night. Then down into Italy, staying just south of Turin.
On wards to Monte Carlo and the Hotel de Paris. Finaly a Chateau near Dijon before the final day back to Belgium.
We had a fantastic time and the wife wants to do another!
Next time it will be far more Northern Europe though and certainly an awful lot more Germany!

RizzoTheRat

25,084 posts

191 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
quotequote all
Andermat is well worth a visit, completely surrounded by stunning mountain passes, Furka, Grimsel, Susten, Ghothard, etc.

I was there on a bike and as far as I'm concerned the twistier the roads the better, so you might be looking for something different to me, but I loved the area. The roads between there and Davos are good, and if you're heading in to Italy one of the best roads I've ever ridden was from Lake Garda up past lake Valvestino, lake Idro, Breno and up to Bormio on the Stelvio pass. The road from Bormio to Livigno was good too but part of it was unpaved when were there a few years ago which might not suit you. Livigno is a duty free town though so can be worth a visit.

F1 NDW

1,116 posts

145 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2014
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When I say Northern European. It will certainly be Germany (Bavaria), Switzerland and Austria.
The area is just fantastic and so civilized.

MrMcG

Original Poster:

9 posts

116 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
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Fantastic,

I do want some twisties and the pass was on my mind, looking to take the vid cam as well to catch some of the "action" on the pass.

Some really good tips and ideas in here i may have to extend the original 7 day plan hahaha

J12MOC

802 posts

143 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
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If you are looking for snow chains...I bought these for my Vantage http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php...

They really are quick and easy to fit and remove which was my main criteria when looking. Do a couple of trial fits in your drive to get familiar with them and to select the correct clamps etc. They come in a bag which doesn't take up much room in the boot.smile

MrMcG

Original Poster:

9 posts

116 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
quotequote all
J12MOC said:
If you are looking for snow chains...I bought these for my Vantage http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php...

They really are quick and easy to fit and remove which was my main criteria when looking. Do a couple of trial fits in your drive to get familiar with them and to select the correct clamps etc. They come in a bag which doesn't take up much room in the boot.smile
Thanks for that link just what i was looking for.

Do i need chains for just the rears or for front and back

J12MOC

802 posts

143 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
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Usually rears only...

F1 NDW

1,116 posts

145 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
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I bought and used them on my CL, but I've checked and they do fit the Vanquish as well.


hashluck

1,611 posts

274 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
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and zero damage to the wheels? Looks like a good solution