Advice on Euro roadtrip route?
Discussion
I am planning my first Euro roadtrip in the TVR for late June / early July and have spent hours coming up with what I think is a good route from all the various pieces of info spread around PH and the web.
I have put my proposed route onto the following google map and wondered if I could get a bit of feedback and any suggestions from those who have done a number of euro roadtrips and know what is good / what to avoid (ie.. TOLLS!!!)
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&gl=uk&a...
BTW, I need to stop off in Evian-Les Bains, Zurich and Alessandria because I am staying with friends.
Thanks in advance,
Stuart
I have put my proposed route onto the following google map and wondered if I could get a bit of feedback and any suggestions from those who have done a number of euro roadtrips and know what is good / what to avoid (ie.. TOLLS!!!)
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&gl=uk&a...
BTW, I need to stop off in Evian-Les Bains, Zurich and Alessandria because I am staying with friends.
Thanks in advance,
Stuart
Hi Stuart,
When are you going? My friends and I are going in convoy (BMW 135, Alfa 156 GTA and MX5 Mk1) to middle Italy, leaving on 1st July and spending most of Saturday 2nd July in the Alps.
Your stop off points probably push you deeper into France than we're going - the current debate in our group is whether to do the well trodden Davos / Bormio / Stelvio route, or to stick further west and take Col du Petit Saint-Bernard (of Italian Job fame) which I hear should be quieter and a bit more flowing. It looks like both of those are on your route.
I think you’re wise to use the toll road for the first couple of hundred miles of France – they are quiet and free flowing and it’s a good way to get some distance under your belt.
Nothing to do with the roads, but Dijon is a nice place and worth a visit if you need a break. If you like your wine, the road from Dijon to Beaune is a nice drive and takes you past many of the famous Burgundy vineyards (Route des Grands Crus).
Enjoy !
Matt
When are you going? My friends and I are going in convoy (BMW 135, Alfa 156 GTA and MX5 Mk1) to middle Italy, leaving on 1st July and spending most of Saturday 2nd July in the Alps.
Your stop off points probably push you deeper into France than we're going - the current debate in our group is whether to do the well trodden Davos / Bormio / Stelvio route, or to stick further west and take Col du Petit Saint-Bernard (of Italian Job fame) which I hear should be quieter and a bit more flowing. It looks like both of those are on your route.
I think you’re wise to use the toll road for the first couple of hundred miles of France – they are quiet and free flowing and it’s a good way to get some distance under your belt.
Nothing to do with the roads, but Dijon is a nice place and worth a visit if you need a break. If you like your wine, the road from Dijon to Beaune is a nice drive and takes you past many of the famous Burgundy vineyards (Route des Grands Crus).
Enjoy !
Matt
How much time do you have?
I would consider making your first destination Zurich, from calais cut through Belgium and Luxemburg and down through Germany, avoiding all tolls and having a blat on the autobahn. |From Zurich head to Innertkirchen via Lucerne and Giswil. Take the Sustenpass to Andermatt. You can then head for Chur/Davos directly via the Oberalppass or do a very entertaining loop down the Gothard pass to Airolo, over the Nufenen pass to Ulrichen head to Gletsch and then over the Furka pass back to Andermatt and then take the oberlppass to Chur?Davos to join your route. By doing the Umbrail (loose shale and single track in places) you are missing out on the East ramp of the Stelvio (which whilst being boring imo is the most famous)so you may wish to head for Sluderno from Mustair and then onto Stelvio from the East side.
Again depending on the time you want to spend you could avoid the main ss48 and from Bormio take the Gavia pass (which I believe as been re-surfaced for the Giro)to Sozzine, then onto Edolo and Tresenda to again link up with your original route.
When you reach Pre-saint-Didier I would head for Aosta and then take the Grand Saint Bernard to Martigny and from there re-join your route by travelling direct to Evian Les Bains missing out the Mont Blanc tunnel (long boring expensive and strictly speed monitored)You can then head home either through France and Via Reims, or head North through Germany again and take in the 'ring
I would consider making your first destination Zurich, from calais cut through Belgium and Luxemburg and down through Germany, avoiding all tolls and having a blat on the autobahn. |From Zurich head to Innertkirchen via Lucerne and Giswil. Take the Sustenpass to Andermatt. You can then head for Chur/Davos directly via the Oberalppass or do a very entertaining loop down the Gothard pass to Airolo, over the Nufenen pass to Ulrichen head to Gletsch and then over the Furka pass back to Andermatt and then take the oberlppass to Chur?Davos to join your route. By doing the Umbrail (loose shale and single track in places) you are missing out on the East ramp of the Stelvio (which whilst being boring imo is the most famous)so you may wish to head for Sluderno from Mustair and then onto Stelvio from the East side.
Again depending on the time you want to spend you could avoid the main ss48 and from Bormio take the Gavia pass (which I believe as been re-surfaced for the Giro)to Sozzine, then onto Edolo and Tresenda to again link up with your original route.
When you reach Pre-saint-Didier I would head for Aosta and then take the Grand Saint Bernard to Martigny and from there re-join your route by travelling direct to Evian Les Bains missing out the Mont Blanc tunnel (long boring expensive and strictly speed monitored)You can then head home either through France and Via Reims, or head North through Germany again and take in the 'ring
Arrgghh this does get very confusing but I like some of the suggestions there, especially about taking in Andermatt, and the possibility of heading straight to Zurich from Calais through Belgium, Lux and Germany.
Not sure on exact dates yet because I am trying to coordinate with a friend who I am picking up in Evian/Zurich and then dropping him off somewhere in Italy. Its likely to be the first week in July though I think.
My original plans was to not book any accomodation at all (apart from wher I am staying with friends) and just find B&B's (or F1 Hotels) along the way but is this a wise thing to be doing? A backup tent might also be a good option.
Not sure on exact dates yet because I am trying to coordinate with a friend who I am picking up in Evian/Zurich and then dropping him off somewhere in Italy. Its likely to be the first week in July though I think.
My original plans was to not book any accomodation at all (apart from wher I am staying with friends) and just find B&B's (or F1 Hotels) along the way but is this a wise thing to be doing? A backup tent might also be a good option.
July 7th the tour de France hits Reims, you don't want to be within a million miles of the place!! http://www.steephill.tv/tour-de-france/ will give you all the dates and locations to avoid, not only do hotels book out, prices go up, roads get closed, and the ones that aren't are log jammed. It is worth bearing in mind that all the hairy arsed sweaty wannabees who turn out to watch also like to ride the route the days before and after. Other than that check local school holidays, you should be able to find something though.
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