Planning a tour of Europeland, breakdown cover and other q's

[Nic jones]

After I (hopefully!) graduate in late May/early June the missus and I are planning to go over to the continent for a week or so and tour around taking in the Nurburg region of Germany the Alps, and the Med (Monaco/Nice) amongst other places.

This will be the first time I've ventured properly into Europe driving as opposed to a day or two driving around the North of Belgium/France and I'd like some info from those who do it regularly on breakdown cover and accomodation.

Breakdown Cover: I currently have this through my bank account and I think it is only useable in the UK, who would you recommend for European breakdown cover?

Camping/Accomodation: Do you just rock up to campsites/B+B's and see if they have room or do you normally plan properly (planning really isn't a strongpoint of mine! )

'Ring insurance: Not that I'll be going anywhere near it of course hello dearest but if I happened to take a wrong turning onto the tollroad is it a necessity/good idea to take out insurance for it or just hope I don't hit anything? My Admiral policy won't cover me (bloody spoilsports )! Who is good to use?

On route planning: Do you work out a proper itinerary before going or just wing it on the way and hope you get back to Dover in time for your ferry?!

I'm sure it will be fine once we're over there, but having not done a proper long distance road trip abroad before there are many questions!

Other than that, any more advice is most welcome.

Thanks

Edited by Nic jones on Wednesday 3rd February 10:11

[Nic jones]

Cheers Hugo, nearer the time when I start planning properly I'll arrange some cover.

Itt is a bit further to the Med than I thought now I look at it, might have to have a bit of a rethink!

Anyone got a decent route itinerary planner (preferably free!)?

Edited by Nic jones on Wednesday 3rd February 14:36

[Nic jones]

Right then, been playing with the route and have come up with this so far:

Hitchin, Herts
Bruges (The missus wants to go there for some shopping)
T'Ring
Stelvio
Bonaduz (Heading West onto road 19)
Sierre
Chamonix
Geneva

• From here avoiding Autoroutes as much as possible**

Reims/Dijon (possibly)
Back to Hitchin
The tidy end of 2000 miles iirc.

I'm thinking this may be better the other way round, so at least we should in theory have some tyres left by the time we get to the 'ring. Rather than knacker them at the 'ring then have to do 1500miles ish down around the Alps with not a lot of meat left!

Any thoughts? Don't think we'll bother with heading to the med (It's further south than I thought!).

Edited by Nic jones on Friday 5th February 12:35