European Driving Holiday (7-10 days)

[Sideways Rich]

We're (Girlfriend and I) looking to head away into Europe around Easter this year and are looking for some suggestions of good routes that involve some of the following, Stelvio Pass, San Bernardino (have I even spelt that right!), great scenery, decent accommodation and restaurants etc.

It's our first european driving jaunt (we drove the West Coast of Scotland last year, Applecross etc and loved it).

Look forward to peoples recommendations.

Thanks,
Rich

[Sideways Rich]

bump for some inspiration

[Stephanie Plum]

You could have a look at the Petrolhead Nirvana site - they head down that way fairly regularly - might give you ideas on routes.

Alternatively, if you head across to seloc.org there is a large contingent that head to Stelvio, Alps and Dolomites etc etc every year. Masses of write ups and pics if you have a bit of a search, using Stelvio to start with.

[Sideways Rich]

Thanks I will check out both for some inspiration

[Stephanie Plum]

Actually - I just reread your post. You did say Easter? All passes will be still be closed. Some of the higher ones don't open until late May - Stelvio usually being one of them.

[havoc]

Did W.Coast last year ourselves, and also did Cote d'Azur & Beaune for 10 days, which was fantastic:-
- Early start from Kent
- Lyon by 6pm
- Day 2 via Grenoble (sh't traffic!) and across alps (D1091 past bottom of Col du Galibier, through Briancon, then past Embrun to pick up the Route Napoleon at Digne-les-Bains and down to St. Paul de Vence for 4pm. Road to Briancon was OUTSTANDING, stuff south of Embrun was inspiring, and the RN deserves its reputation!
- Laze for a couple of days, trip to Cannes etc.
- Morning run up the Col de Vence, which turns out to be a commuter road but is still bloody good
- Across to Villefranche-sur-Mer for a few days
- Afternoon run up and around the Col de Turini, which is narrow and twisty but one HELL of a road
- A few other drives for the hell of it
- Trip into Monaco
- ...etc.
- Back up to Beaune via M-ways, considered stopping-off at Mt Ventoux (a "there and back") but we left late and Becs' didn't want me driving MORE roads.


I know it's not "the passes", but I think most/all of that route will be open by Easter, and I'd suffer Grenoble traffic again just to do that horseshoe over the alps once more - so quiet yet such a road...would probably try and overnight in Grenoble to get an early start on the roads though.

[fatboy b]

Lake Maggiore - and stay at the Hotel Verbano

Beautiful setting, and great food.

[Stephanie Plum]

fatboy b said:

Lake Maggiore - and stay at the Hotel Verbano

Beautiful setting, and great food.

Based on your recommendation on a previous thread we are doing exactly this in May. But chose the other hotel on the island. The hotel Belvedere. 3 nights then onto Lake Como for 4 nights at the Hotel La Darsena.

Thank you

[illmonkey]

We're doing the same, but can't figure out where to go! Driving us crazy (excuse the pun!).

Been advised a lot of the nice drives will be closed, mountain roads etc. So I'm thinking more coastal and citys to stay in.

[Sideways Rich]

illmonkey said:

We're doing the same, but can't figure out where to go! Driving us crazy (excuse the pun!).

Been advised a lot of the nice drives will be closed, mountain roads etc. So I'm thinking more coastal and citys to stay in.

We're looking at possibly delaying our trip until May now to ensure the passes are open.

[illmonkey]

Sideways Rich said:

We're looking at possibly delaying our trip until May now to ensure the passes are open.

Not a bad idea that. But, we're using the 3 days off work to get 11 days off trick this year, and its the only time we can do the trip. We also have use of a villa in April for free for a few days. Makes sense for us.

[fatboy b]

Stephanie Plum said:

Based on your recommendation on a previous thread we are doing exactly this in May. But chose the other hotel on the island. The hotel Belvedere. 3 nights then onto Lake Como for 4 nights at the Hotel La Darsena.

Thank you

You'll love it!

[Sideways Rich]

Finally got the semblance of a plan together and have booked a trip (my first) to the Ring first weekend in July. We're looking to do a few days touring after our trip, does anyone have any recommendations for 3-4 days touring after a Ring visit? Thanks

[Sideways Rich]

Plans are starting to come together now, we're now looking at 2 weeks in late August/September - can anyone advise where's best to go at this time of year?

[The Lukas]

If you are going into the South of France via the Ring, a trip through the Black Forest would be recommended

[Herman Toothrot]

Drove from Fleurie which is north of Lyon to Sainte-Enieme today mostly along the N88 and then the D986, the D986 was empty and fantastic, our hotel the Chateau de la caze (very nice highly recommended Castle in Gorge de tarn) was out of SE on the D907bis which is also a fantastic road but so, so narrow and a bit to busy to drive quickly at all. The D986 had me giggling. Was in the A6 2.7T quattro and basically put it in 2nd on trip tronic and booting it round all the hairpins etc, was good!

Not my photo as unable to upload but it gives an idea what the roads are like :

Edited by Herman Toothrot on Monday 9th May 16:58

[Stephanie Plum]

Sideways Rich said:

Plans are starting to come together now, we're now looking at 2 weeks in late August/September - can anyone advise where's best to go at this time of year?

Head South to the Swiss and French passes, taking in the Vosges and the Black Forest enroute - some lovely roads and scenery to take in Come back via Lake Annecy and Dijon/Beaune area.

Or you could drop down into the Dolomites instead - they are lovely too.