Stag European road trip planning/advice
Discussion
Hi all, help needed.
Making the crazy move this year and getting married but before this there is the stag doo.
Had a European road trip in mind from the start as to be honest it's the only chance I got of going on one with my mates without the mrs in tow, originally wanted to do the ring but due to availability of public days this is now a no go.
Out line plan is to leave on Thursday the 18th of July and return late on the following Monday.
As you can tell I've left this last minute and now am in desperate need of help.
Got a rough idea on a route, thinking Stuttgart for first evening, then somewhere in Italy maybe Venice on second, then Monaco or quite possibly cannes on third and then back up on the Monday.
I know this is a lot driving, I've got my heart set on the Saturday nite being down Monaco/nice/Cannes area, the other locations have just been chosen to fit along an interesting looking route aswel as having a few bars to have a bit of a drink in at night time for the non drivers so there so open to suggestions.
Struggling to find hotels really. Want somewhere with safe parking as we'll have a few nice cars in the group.
Expecting a group about 20 in 6 cars. Although its a essentially a stag doo I'm focusing it being a nice road trip travelling through some nice places, please don't think a load of drunk fools wearing mankinnis, not that there's anything wrong with that of course.
Also is there any companies who might organise this for me? I work around 80/90 hours per week so my lack of spare time is the reason for the late planning as it is.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Duncan
Making the crazy move this year and getting married but before this there is the stag doo.
Had a European road trip in mind from the start as to be honest it's the only chance I got of going on one with my mates without the mrs in tow, originally wanted to do the ring but due to availability of public days this is now a no go.
Out line plan is to leave on Thursday the 18th of July and return late on the following Monday.
As you can tell I've left this last minute and now am in desperate need of help.
Got a rough idea on a route, thinking Stuttgart for first evening, then somewhere in Italy maybe Venice on second, then Monaco or quite possibly cannes on third and then back up on the Monday.
I know this is a lot driving, I've got my heart set on the Saturday nite being down Monaco/nice/Cannes area, the other locations have just been chosen to fit along an interesting looking route aswel as having a few bars to have a bit of a drink in at night time for the non drivers so there so open to suggestions.
Struggling to find hotels really. Want somewhere with safe parking as we'll have a few nice cars in the group.
Expecting a group about 20 in 6 cars. Although its a essentially a stag doo I'm focusing it being a nice road trip travelling through some nice places, please don't think a load of drunk fools wearing mankinnis, not that there's anything wrong with that of course.
Also is there any companies who might organise this for me? I work around 80/90 hours per week so my lack of spare time is the reason for the late planning as it is.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Duncan
There are groups that run organised tours, the most prominent is Petrolhead Nirvana but their trip to where you want to go isn't until September.
We started organising a trip for 6 people in 6 cars in January. I would say you would be struggling with hotel accomodation especially leaving it this late and going in July.
We started organising a trip for 6 people in 6 cars in January. I would say you would be struggling with hotel accomodation especially leaving it this late and going in July.
Hi Duncan,
As the others have already pointed out, and you yourself have said, it's a little late.
Also the distances involved are not to be underestimated, especially given that school holidays will have started and you're mostly travelling around one of the busiest travelling weekends of the year.
Calais to Stuttgart is 7 hours
Stuttgart to Venice is 7 hours
Venice to Cannes is 6 hours
Cannes to Calais is 10 hours
And all of that is purely motorway driving.
You won't want to speed in 6 British cars because you'll get caught, and if you're hungover and therefore over the limit you'll be in lots of trouble...
So - is there any way you can take longer to do the trip?
Or is there one of those destinations in particular that you MUST do?
Talk to us and we'll provide information so you can make an informed decision
As the others have already pointed out, and you yourself have said, it's a little late.
Also the distances involved are not to be underestimated, especially given that school holidays will have started and you're mostly travelling around one of the busiest travelling weekends of the year.
Calais to Stuttgart is 7 hours
Stuttgart to Venice is 7 hours
Venice to Cannes is 6 hours
Cannes to Calais is 10 hours
And all of that is purely motorway driving.
You won't want to speed in 6 British cars because you'll get caught, and if you're hungover and therefore over the limit you'll be in lots of trouble...
So - is there any way you can take longer to do the trip?
Or is there one of those destinations in particular that you MUST do?
Talk to us and we'll provide information so you can make an informed decision
Hi
i did a Euro Trip to Germany over the BH weekend - was easily one of the best weekends of my life. my advice would be to not underestimate the miles. in theory you might think 7 hours in the car each day is doable but it gets extremely tiring and would detract from you having a good time. i went Calais to Stuttgart on the Saturday via Belgium and Lux to avoid the tolls and it took about 7 hours ish. if you plan a good route the day finishes with some nice Autobahn action. we stayed at the Radisson Park inn in Stuttgart and I certainly recommend it. it was very reasonable at about £70 per room per night and was a very tidy hotel and not more than 10 mins into the centre if you fancy going out for a few beers or a meal. plus there is a nice Grill restaurant in the hotel and a few more nice looking ones nearby.
we then spent the sunday morning in the Porsche museum which again was brilliant and then left Stuttgart for the Black Forest. the roads and scenery there are just incredible! we stayed sunday night in Baden Baden and then went for another blast in the Black Forest in the morning and then headed back to Calais via the Autoroute (about 60 euros in tolls but very nice smooth roads)
overall mileage was approx 1200 in Europe and about £400 in fuel at 22mpg ish
hotel stuttgart £70 per room per night
Hotel Baden Baden £250 per room (thought we would do it in style)
Chunnel - £120 return
overall, i def recommend the road trip, honestly had so many stories and such a laugh, even with it being short so def get it planned, just as i say dont try too much in such a short space of time. i was originally planning to go down to the alps aswell until someone recommended i dont bite off more than i can chew and I am pleased they did. that was more than enough miles for 3 days
if you need anything else, give me a shout.
i did a Euro Trip to Germany over the BH weekend - was easily one of the best weekends of my life. my advice would be to not underestimate the miles. in theory you might think 7 hours in the car each day is doable but it gets extremely tiring and would detract from you having a good time. i went Calais to Stuttgart on the Saturday via Belgium and Lux to avoid the tolls and it took about 7 hours ish. if you plan a good route the day finishes with some nice Autobahn action. we stayed at the Radisson Park inn in Stuttgart and I certainly recommend it. it was very reasonable at about £70 per room per night and was a very tidy hotel and not more than 10 mins into the centre if you fancy going out for a few beers or a meal. plus there is a nice Grill restaurant in the hotel and a few more nice looking ones nearby.
we then spent the sunday morning in the Porsche museum which again was brilliant and then left Stuttgart for the Black Forest. the roads and scenery there are just incredible! we stayed sunday night in Baden Baden and then went for another blast in the Black Forest in the morning and then headed back to Calais via the Autoroute (about 60 euros in tolls but very nice smooth roads)
overall mileage was approx 1200 in Europe and about £400 in fuel at 22mpg ish
hotel stuttgart £70 per room per night
Hotel Baden Baden £250 per room (thought we would do it in style)
Chunnel - £120 return
overall, i def recommend the road trip, honestly had so many stories and such a laugh, even with it being short so def get it planned, just as i say dont try too much in such a short space of time. i was originally planning to go down to the alps aswell until someone recommended i dont bite off more than i can chew and I am pleased they did. that was more than enough miles for 3 days
if you need anything else, give me a shout.
Just back (today) from a trip down through France via Reims, Dijon, Grenoble and Route Napoleon into Italy and stayed near Ventimiglia (mainly because my Italian is a lot better than my French).
Be aware that Route Nap is open to all traffic so there are quite a few lorries etc = lots of overtaking required. However we ended up driving the lower part Digne - Grasse in the evening (1800hrs on) and had the road to ourselves - a driving experience NOT to be missed.
Return journey was via Sestriere, Frejus Tunnel (€41!) but previously we've driven over the adjacent Col du Mont Cenis then Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier and Alpe d'Huez.
There are lots of other passes in the area around that SE Corner of France/ NW Italy and at this time of year the ski resorts are all but deserted. That means the opportunity for some serious driving and hotels (the ones that are open) are only too happy to accept bookings.
We stayed at the excellent Hotel Buca Neve in Bardonecchia close to the Frejus and it was reasonably priced.
You could then head into the Massif Central for more fun.
As has been said your planned itinerary means you'll be flogging it on motorways all day, paying tolls (not cheap!) and I suspect not having a great deal of fun.
Both France and Italy have mobile speed traps - some on the motorways!
Any further info required drop me a PM.
Cheers, Pewe.
Be aware that Route Nap is open to all traffic so there are quite a few lorries etc = lots of overtaking required. However we ended up driving the lower part Digne - Grasse in the evening (1800hrs on) and had the road to ourselves - a driving experience NOT to be missed.
Return journey was via Sestriere, Frejus Tunnel (€41!) but previously we've driven over the adjacent Col du Mont Cenis then Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier and Alpe d'Huez.
There are lots of other passes in the area around that SE Corner of France/ NW Italy and at this time of year the ski resorts are all but deserted. That means the opportunity for some serious driving and hotels (the ones that are open) are only too happy to accept bookings.
We stayed at the excellent Hotel Buca Neve in Bardonecchia close to the Frejus and it was reasonably priced.
You could then head into the Massif Central for more fun.
As has been said your planned itinerary means you'll be flogging it on motorways all day, paying tolls (not cheap!) and I suspect not having a great deal of fun.
Both France and Italy have mobile speed traps - some on the motorways!
Any further info required drop me a PM.
Cheers, Pewe.
Hi all, thanks so much for your help.
You have all confirmed the worry in the back of my head to be honest and that is we will be driving to much to actually have fun.
I would like to end up in south France although to be honest I don't have to much reasoning behind it other than I've been a few times before so maybe need to search for another destination.
What I want is:
-Interesting roads, I'd like to hope that most the fun will be had on the actual driving parts of the trip as well as the night times
-Destinations that are an ideal place for 20 lads to have a good time once there but not down the roads of Blackpool type towns/cities. We're mostly about 30ish in age so thinking nice wine bars in the sun rather than seedy night clubs.
I've done a bit of driving abroad including col de turini etc but this has never involved any form of planning, I've simply flown places, hired a car and just gone off for a wonder and normally always come up trumps, only with so many of us I don't fancy that idea now.
A thought I'm possibly having is driving straight to SE france, staying there for 3 nights and exploring the mountain passes down there each day but returning to the same base each night.
Toyneg thanks for recommending Germany, I will have a look at the destinations on google maps and see what I think.
Harsh and Pewe thanks for your help, will PM both of you now.
All the others thanks again, I had no idea it was start of school holidays, just my luck. Just hoping ferries/ tunnel wont be an issue then
You have all confirmed the worry in the back of my head to be honest and that is we will be driving to much to actually have fun.
I would like to end up in south France although to be honest I don't have to much reasoning behind it other than I've been a few times before so maybe need to search for another destination.
What I want is:
-Interesting roads, I'd like to hope that most the fun will be had on the actual driving parts of the trip as well as the night times
-Destinations that are an ideal place for 20 lads to have a good time once there but not down the roads of Blackpool type towns/cities. We're mostly about 30ish in age so thinking nice wine bars in the sun rather than seedy night clubs.
I've done a bit of driving abroad including col de turini etc but this has never involved any form of planning, I've simply flown places, hired a car and just gone off for a wonder and normally always come up trumps, only with so many of us I don't fancy that idea now.
A thought I'm possibly having is driving straight to SE france, staying there for 3 nights and exploring the mountain passes down there each day but returning to the same base each night.
Toyneg thanks for recommending Germany, I will have a look at the destinations on google maps and see what I think.
Harsh and Pewe thanks for your help, will PM both of you now.
All the others thanks again, I had no idea it was start of school holidays, just my luck. Just hoping ferries/ tunnel wont be an issue then
d11nc_r said:
Hi all, thanks so much for your help.
You have all confirmed the worry in the back of my head to be honest and that is we will be driving to much to actually have fun.
I would like to end up in south France although to be honest I don't have to much reasoning behind it other than I've been a few times before so maybe need to search for another destination.
What I want is:
-Interesting roads, I'd like to hope that most the fun will be had on the actual driving parts of the trip as well as the night times
-Destinations that are an ideal place for 20 lads to have a good time once there but not down the roads of Blackpool type towns/cities. We're mostly about 30ish in age so thinking nice wine bars in the sun rather than seedy night clubs.
I've done a bit of driving abroad including col de turini etc but this has never involved any form of planning, I've simply flown places, hired a car and just gone off for a wonder and normally always come up trumps, only with so many of us I don't fancy that idea now.
A thought I'm possibly having is driving straight to SE france, staying there for 3 nights and exploring the mountain passes down there each day but returning to the same base each night.
Toyneg thanks for recommending Germany, I will have a look at the destinations on google maps and see what I think.
Harsh and Pewe thanks for your help, will PM both of you now.
All the others thanks again, I had no idea it was start of school holidays, just my luck. Just hoping ferries/ tunnel wont be an issue then
no probs - if you do head straight to the South of France, try taking the D996 that runs from Troyes to Dijon!You have all confirmed the worry in the back of my head to be honest and that is we will be driving to much to actually have fun.
I would like to end up in south France although to be honest I don't have to much reasoning behind it other than I've been a few times before so maybe need to search for another destination.
What I want is:
-Interesting roads, I'd like to hope that most the fun will be had on the actual driving parts of the trip as well as the night times
-Destinations that are an ideal place for 20 lads to have a good time once there but not down the roads of Blackpool type towns/cities. We're mostly about 30ish in age so thinking nice wine bars in the sun rather than seedy night clubs.
I've done a bit of driving abroad including col de turini etc but this has never involved any form of planning, I've simply flown places, hired a car and just gone off for a wonder and normally always come up trumps, only with so many of us I don't fancy that idea now.
A thought I'm possibly having is driving straight to SE france, staying there for 3 nights and exploring the mountain passes down there each day but returning to the same base each night.
Toyneg thanks for recommending Germany, I will have a look at the destinations on google maps and see what I think.
Harsh and Pewe thanks for your help, will PM both of you now.
All the others thanks again, I had no idea it was start of school holidays, just my luck. Just hoping ferries/ tunnel wont be an issue then
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