European road trip

[SmilerFTM]

Thinking of doing one next year and was wondering if anyone had any good or bad experiences they want to share? Was thinking of going down the eastern side of France taking in the Champagne region then some of the Monte Carlo rally stages further down, then across Italy to Como and up to the Stelvio Pass, after that back across Switzerland taking in a few more mountain passes before heading up through the German Black Forest and then on up to the The Nurburgring. Roughly 3000-3500 or so miles which should be great fun.

I may even head slightly further south in Italy and go to Maranello before heading up to Como as it would make sense having a big road trip like that to visit arguably the greatest car manufacturer of them all. Also after the Black Forest head into Stuttgart and visit the Mercedes Benz museum which would also make a lot of sense with it being the oldest car manufacturer in the world still producing cars.

It's still a long way before I do it, I only just started thinking about it now and to save the cash between now and Sept/Oct before the snow in the mountains arrive may be pushing it a bit too much. Anything before the start of June next year could see some of the passes still closed from what I've read so far.

I'll be camping along the way to keep costs down to a minimum as well.

Recommended roads and passes would be very welcome, and also any links to websites providing campsite info, mountain passes info (open or closed, that type of thing) would be much appreciated as would some first hand experiences from people who have done some of these routes (what to expect, where to avoid, where to not miss etc)

[topalwaysdown]

Sounds pretty much what I've got planned for next year, hoping to do this route at the start of September.

I've based my overnight stops on budget and mid range hotels, but if you fancy a more comfortable alternative to camping, I'd have a look at the F1 hotels. They're very budget, but personally I find a room with two proper beds for £20 is better value than camping!

If you're heading to Stuttgart, 100% do the Porsche museum too, even the car park in there is spectacular!

[SmilerFTM]

Think I'll be pinching some of that, especially the route through Switzerland for those passes, I was looking at the Route Napoleon as well, I may do that going south then after Monaco head slightly up to do the Col De Turini before heading into Italy. Also instead of inland to Spa I think I'll be heading down to Reims and have a look at the old Reims-Gueux remants, the pit areas and grandstands are still there either side of what is now a public road

http://googlesightseeing.com/wp-content/uploads/20...

I also liked your idea of visiting Hockenheim before heading up to The Ring

[topalwaysdown]

Yeah, we did the Col de Turini and Reims on last years trip, both certainly worth it, though Reims is slowly getting more fenced off unfortunately.

I'm going to look at the possibility of driving Hockenheim, they have some evening sessions in the week for the public.

[V8Bart]

Did it last year, covered over 4000 miles. using the F1 hotels a fair bit, did Milau to Ales and the Bridge, Italy covering Monaco and some of the rally route, Switzerland and the passes, Germany and the Ring, Netherlands, Amsterdam, Belgum.

Booked a few hotels in advance and the rest on route to give me some flex.

Best thing I did was have itn files planned out for it on the Tomtom which never put a foot wrong and took me on the exact roads I wanted. Also had My Tracks running on my phone which produced a plan of everywhere I had been.

Just go for it, I did it all on my own with my wheelchair wedged in the boot of the TVR and it the best thing I have ever done.

[V8Bart]

Did it last year, covered over 4000 miles. using the F1 hotels a fair bit, did Milau to Ales and the Bridge, Italy covering Monaco and some of the rally route, Switzerland and the passes, Germany and the Ring, Netherlands, Amsterdam, Belgum.

Booked a few hotels in advance and the rest on route to give me some flex.

Best thing I did was have itn files planned out for it on the Tomtom which never put a foot wrong and took me on the exact roads I wanted. Also had My Tracks running on my phone which produced a plan of everywhere I had been.

Just go for it, I did it all on my own with my wheelchair wedged in the boot of the TVR and it the best thing I have ever done.

[FisiP1]

Im on more or less the exact trip as the post above right now. Made it down to Siena Italy right now, but as nice as it can be it just reinforces to me why I told myself Id never visit Italy again. Speed cameras here feel like every mile and the limits are unrealistic given the driving style of the locals(sticking to 30mph on country roads feels dangerous when locals will hapily do 90 between the cameras). Looking forward to getting back up to France etc.

[SmilerFTM]

I'm getting on now with my planning of this trip and I've got one or two decisions to make in the next few days as I'll be booking hotel rooms in the coming week.

My route from either Albertville or Grenoble to the French south coast will either be along the Route Napoleon or joining Route De Grande Alps near Albertville with the Grande Alps option taking an extra day.

The other choice is from the South Coast either through the towns along it and stop in Genoa then the next day up to Como or if I should take the A8/A10 to just outside Genoa and miss that out and head up to Como in one day instead of two.

The single day options will mean I can spend two nights on the French South Coast, two nights in Stuttgart and two nights at the Ring, if I do the two day options on both choices that means I can only stop for a day at one of those places mentioned.

It's really bugging me which to choose now and I really need to make my decision sooner rather than later as I want to start booking everything up now.

I am definitely leaning towards Route De Grande Alps over Napoleon due to all the mountain passes it takes in but the South Coast route to Como (possibly) via Genoa I really don't know.

Is there anyone who has done any of these routes able to give any advice on them?

[G Man]

SmilerFTM said:

I'm getting on now with my planning of this trip and I've got one or two decisions to make in the next few days as I'll be booking hotel rooms in the coming week.

My route from either Albertville or Grenoble to the French south coast will either be along the Route Napoleon or joining Route De Grande Alps near Albertville with the Grande Alps option taking an extra day.

The other choice is from the South Coast either through the towns along it and stop in Genoa then the next day up to Como or if I should take the A8/A10 to just outside Genoa and miss that out and head up to Como in one day instead of two.

The single day options will mean I can spend two nights on the French South Coast, two nights in Stuttgart and two nights at the Ring, if I do the two day options on both choices that means I can only stop for a day at one of those places mentioned.

It's really bugging me which to choose now and I really need to make my decision sooner rather than later as I want to start booking everything up now.

I am definitely leaning towards Route De Grande Alps over Napoleon due to all the mountain passes it takes in but the South Coast route to Como (possibly) via Genoa I really don't know.

Is there anyone who has done any of these routes able to give any advice on them?

I have done all these routes, the Grande Alps is less busy than Napoleon and has major climbs, if near Grenoble you must drive thru the Vercor

If doing the Alps remember Andermatt is the centre of the Alps and the Andermatt loop is a must

[SmilerFTM]

Andermatt Loop? Is that part of this route I have planned?

http://goo.gl/maps/xnmPF

[G Man]

SmilerFTM said:

Andermatt Loop? Is that part of this route I have planned?

http://goo.gl/maps/xnmPF

Yep

[Far Cough]

Hey mate - I did a week long trip last year doing a very similar route you have described. I did a thread on it about the planning which can be found here :

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

If you want me to reactivate the links let me know.

Having got back and having a think if I would change anything I`d have to say YES , one big change I will make for next year is steer clear of Switzerland. A lovely country I`m sure but everyone drives at 20mph everywhere and if you start to make progress all you get is flashes , tooting and gesticulations followed by phone calls to the police claiming the Gumball is in town !!! Ridiculous. Only go into the car hating country to do the passes and get out !

[Zed 44]

Personally, I wouldn't go back to Italy. Having worked there briefly in the 80's and driven there in 2011, I find Italian drivers reckless, rude and occasionally dangerous.

As for France, fine. Just watch out for "priority on the right". Yes they are perfectly entitled to shoot out from a side road into a main road AND you have to give way.

[SmilerFTM]

Just one more quick question as I've now decided on my route. I was planning on going early June, Monday 3rd to be precise and that would mean hitting the likes of Grand St Bernard on the 5th and Col De l'iseran on the 6th and the Andermatt loop on the 11th. Would that be pushing it as far as them being open by then or would I be ok?

[Yell_M3]

Did something similar a few years ago, and just booked hotels last minute / day before on hotels.com and booking.com. Never had a problem getting anywhere to stay, but also allowed some freedom on the route, which proved a good idea, as once I got onto the Swiss passes which are very addictive!

[Gruffy]

SmilerFTM said:

Just one more quick question as I've now decided on my route. I was planning on going early June, Monday 3rd to be precise and that would mean hitting the likes of Grand St Bernard on the 5th and Col De l'iseran on the 6th and the Andermatt loop on the 11th. Would that be pushing it as far as them being open by then or would I be ok?

You would be unlucky to have them closed for snow on those dates, but it is possible. I'm usually skiing on the Grand St Bernard in late April

[G Man]

SmilerFTM said:

Just one more quick question as I've now decided on my route. I was planning on going early June, Monday 3rd to be precise and that would mean hitting the likes of Grand St Bernard on the 5th and Col De l'iseran on the 6th and the Andermatt loop on the 11th. Would that be pushing it as far as them being open by then or would I be ok?

They are normally open by 31st May unless a major storm blows in and temporarily shuts a pass

[SmilerFTM]

Think I may stick to my original idea of going early June then as I want to try and avoid holiday traffic as much as possible.
Nice idea in simply booking the night before for flexibility, I might just book my ferry journey and first night in the next few days once I've made sure time off work on those dates is confirmed.
Can't wait, 5 (current and ex) GP tracks to visit, well over a dozen mountain passes, the French and Italian Rivieras, Champagne country, the Black Forest. I may not sleep tonight with excitement (probably a good thing though as I'm on night shift)

[Roastie ITR]

Here is a link to the write up of my road trip that I went on a few months ago just in case it is of any use to you.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

[Zed 44]

Are there any old gits like me out there who fancy an Alpine trip? I've been abroad the last 2 years with the oh but she's not really a good traveler. A group of 4 to 5 could be quite good.