Driving around Europe

[Copster]

I am planning to have a driving holiday this year. Gonna be approx two weeks driving around Europe in a Camper Van (not an old one!)

The trip is for me and the wife plus our 5 mth old son. General plan is to head down to Monaco, into Italy (Amalfi Coast) and then back up through the alps.

This is not something that I have done before. Can anyone recommend places to go, things to see and also the cheapest way to do it all.

Thanks

[vixpy1]

For a start, ditch the camper van and buy a Mercedes.. You will then get when you want to go..

errm ish

[dazren]

During the first two weeks of september; camper vans, caravans and lorries are to be banned from all fast scenic mountain roads...... Stick to the motorways.

DAZ

>> Edited by dazren on Thursday 16th February 11:09

[D_Mike]

Stop in Siena/the mega touristy but lovely (also with the best ice cream in the world) San Gimignano. Lake Maggiorie/Lake Garda are nice too. As is Rome.

Infact, drive right through france (do it another time, its great too) and spend all your time in Itlay, the best country in the world.

[shadytree]

or ditch the camper van, palm your 5 month old off with the in-laws or your parents, rent a Ferrari and have a great time.

[Copster]

D_Mike said:

Infact, drive right through france (do it another time, its great too) and spend all your time in Itlay, the best country in the world.

Thats pretty much what I thought

[lazyitus]

Copster said:

I am planning to have a driving holiday this year. Gonna be approx two weeks driving around Europe in a Camper Van (not an old one!) The trip is for me and the wife plus our 5 mth old son. General plan is to head down to Monaco, into Italy (Amalfi Coast) and then back up through the alps. This is not something that I have done before. Can anyone recommend places to go, things to see and also the cheapest way to do it all. Thanks

Oh, choices !

Firstly, what an excellent idea for a 2 week, leisurely jaunt. I'd like to do this sometime.

Going via Switzerland is a must, try to take in some mountain passes like Gotthard for example. The scenery in this country is absolutely beyond !

Visit the Italian Lakes? Garda is wonderful, particularly if you venture to the top end around Malcesene.

A trip to Maranello could be included if the others don't mind.

Southern France offers incredible variety. Venture towards Nimes and surrounding area. Lovely.

Enjoy.

[D_Mike]

OO yes, Nimes is great.

My parents are doing the same thing this year for their holuday.

3 weeks,

driving down through france, stopping in the French alps (first stop), then through swizterland, stop at Lake Maggiore for a bit, then down to Siena, then to Amalfi (wonderful place), across to The Gargano (lovely bit of Italy, no British people), back up through italy and then to Wengen in Switzerland, and then back through France. I am very jealous.

[viper_larry]

Take a ferry to Bilbao then drive up through the Pyrenees over to Monaco and up through the Alps. Means you have more time on the route not having to drive there in the first place.

[love machine]

Go to Morocco, it's essential.

I'd drive straight to italy and then go all around the coast. Galicia is nice. Take a car your comfortable with. My mate suggested we took a Peugoet as it would be fiable in France. Well, the thing shat itself before it left the country.

I drove a 3L Capri across allsorts a few years ago and highly recommend them. Take a car and a tent. An old van is almost guaranteed to shit itself, especially a dub.

[puggit]

You have to visit the Italian Lakes (Garda, Como etc) - breathtaking views. The Splugenpass from that area in to Switzerland isn't too shabby

[Olf]

Copster said:

I am planning to have a driving holiday this year. Gonna be approx two weeks driving around Europe in a Camper Van (not an old one!) The trip is for me and the wife plus our 5 mth old son. General plan is to head down to Monaco, into Italy (Amalfi Coast) and then back up through the alps. This is not something that I have done before. Can anyone recommend places to go, things to see and also the cheapest way to do it all. Thanks

Did a similar trip in May it went something like this:

Portsmouth
Le Harve
Normandy Beaches
Mont St Michel
La Rochelle
Bordeaux
Arcachon
Biaritz
San Sebastian (spain)
Lourdes
Carmague
Carcassonne
Cannes
Nice
Monaco
Portofino (Italy)
Lucca
Florence
Sienna
Elba

Fast back up to:

Chamonix
Epernay
Dover

Too many roads to remembr but generally all done in straight lines so if you have any questions about these locations in particular just shout.

Amalfi on a separate holiday - wonderful place but parking is a nightmare, make sure you research well in advance.

Obviously highlights for that trip would include Mount Vesuvius, Pompei and potentially Capri.

If you don't mind me saying I think that Going down as far as Amalfi might be a stretch with a 5 month old - but you know your limits better than me!

[Olf]

D_Mike said:

Stop in Siena/the mega touristy but lovely (also with the best ice cream in the world) San Gimignano. Lake Maggiorie/Lake Garda are nice too. As is Rome. Infact, drive right through france (do it another time, its great too) and spend all your time in Itlay, the best country in the world.

like the sentiment. Italy is wonderful isn't it. I forgot about Sam Gimignano, went there too, if I'm thinking straight, whats the place with the well preserved roman baths around their as well, the sulphurus ones?

[Olf]

To give you an idea of the task you are setting yourself....

According to autoroute 2005.... Dover - Monaco - Amalfi - Dover is 2500 miles, that 180 miles a day for a 14 day holiday.

Thats a lot of camper van driving!