Southsea to Rome & back via?????
Discussion
Well I have got seven months to plan our honeymoon (Aug/Sept) as Mrs V8 HSV has decided to allow me to take the beast into Europe, nearly her idea! Dianne wants Italy & I want some scenery on the way down so initial plan would be to take o’nite crossing from Harwich to the Hook of Holland, stay Amsterdam for the first two nights then head for Rome via Brunigpass to St Gottard in the ‘hilly’ bits then pick up faster roads for the route south. Come back to Calais for Euro tunnel to Dover & home. Now I make that about 2,300 miles and about £500 on petrol if we cruise, double that figure if I can’t control my right foot!
Seen a few PH forum threads but just wondered if anyone here has done something similar & fancy sharing their experiences for our benefit?
So looking for accommodation recommendations, places to see on route, places/routes to avoid.
Finally wondered how the HSV would handle mountain passes, apart from creating an avalanche what about the size of vehicle on such roads, turning circle good but width/weight worries me a tadge.
Thanks in advance
Seen a few PH forum threads but just wondered if anyone here has done something similar & fancy sharing their experiences for our benefit?
So looking for accommodation recommendations, places to see on route, places/routes to avoid.
Finally wondered how the HSV would handle mountain passes, apart from creating an avalanche what about the size of vehicle on such roads, turning circle good but width/weight worries me a tadge.
Thanks in advance
Firstly, congratulations to you both, I didn't realise that you were engaged, nice one.
I've driven in Italy including the Alps. Some of the mountain corners are pretty scary but buses & big 4x4's use them, so you'll be fine. Just take it easy, some of the drops are crazy.
Driving in Italy can only be described as "Mental", overtaking on blind bends is normal & old ladies are just as likely to do this as boy racers. But size/power rules over there, so you'll be O.K.
I've always vowed to return in an old Overfinch RR with full bullbars front & rear & scaffolding down the sides.
As for Rome, personally I don't think I'd be up for driving anything there, other than maybe in the middle of the night! Seriously. Makes Paris seem like a drive around Torquay.
The Kiwi ex sales manager at Talacrest used to regularly drive a Ferrari track day safety car liveried VT to Italy & said that the Italians loved it. It will certainly cause a stir.
As for Amsterdam, It's not good for big cars or any cars really, so either stay in a Hotel with big parking spaces or stay on the edge & get a tram or taxi into the centre. I love Amsterdam, but I've always walked around it, only used a Tram twice I think.
I think you're suggested route sounds good.
I haven't really got any accommodation reccs. but it will be a fantastic trip.
>> Edited by A57 HSV on Monday 9th January 14:30
I've driven in Italy including the Alps. Some of the mountain corners are pretty scary but buses & big 4x4's use them, so you'll be fine. Just take it easy, some of the drops are crazy.
Driving in Italy can only be described as "Mental", overtaking on blind bends is normal & old ladies are just as likely to do this as boy racers. But size/power rules over there, so you'll be O.K.
I've always vowed to return in an old Overfinch RR with full bullbars front & rear & scaffolding down the sides.
As for Rome, personally I don't think I'd be up for driving anything there, other than maybe in the middle of the night! Seriously. Makes Paris seem like a drive around Torquay.
The Kiwi ex sales manager at Talacrest used to regularly drive a Ferrari track day safety car liveried VT to Italy & said that the Italians loved it. It will certainly cause a stir.
As for Amsterdam, It's not good for big cars or any cars really, so either stay in a Hotel with big parking spaces or stay on the edge & get a tram or taxi into the centre. I love Amsterdam, but I've always walked around it, only used a Tram twice I think.
I think you're suggested route sounds good.
I haven't really got any accommodation reccs. but it will be a fantastic trip.
>> Edited by A57 HSV on Monday 9th January 14:30
I can only echo A57_HSV's words of wisdom. I've driven round most of Northern Europe, the Alps, and Italy many times either in company car or a car worth less than £50. Each time I've had a blast.
Of all of the countries, you can't beat the hospitality of the Dutch. For absolute beauty, Switzerland is my #1.
If you're up for a challange and a huge reward, do the Stelvio pass (2757m) in Switzerland, but only on a good day!!!
Just a word of caution in Switzerland. They hate big fat noisy cars (or small cars that have a blowing exhaust!) so when approaching or leaving swiss check points keep it easy on the throttle. When entering Switzerland you'll need to pay their road tax (Vignette). It's approximately SFr40 and means you can travel on their motorways.
When approaching small Swiss villages keep to the speed limit. Police tend to hide and then pull you over when you least expect it. The first thing they do is remove your passport until you pay the fine there & then. No money = no passport. There are no IF, BUT's, or MAYBE's.
Europeans tend to let you know about police in the area by flashing you. So, keep to the speed limit when you get flashed until you've passed them.
If you're going to to the Alps you'll be fine. Your car (Power+brakes) are well suited to it. Like A57_HSV said, if busses can do it, you can. Once you get use to the safety features (no armco, just cliff face or shear drop) you'll be fine. Just make sure you do the passes on a clear day.
What I tend to do when going around Europe is have a major goal in mind like "I want to be in Amsterdam tonight" or "I'd like to have eisbein in Munich" or "I'd like to have Black Forrest Gatteau in the Black Forrest". Now rather than taking the major arterial roads, take the A/B roads and stop off when you see something you like or you require refreshments. I don't stay in hotels in big cities or towns. I find a small village or town just outside a major city and find a frindly B&B/Hotel to stay in. That way you get to mix it up with the locals. You'll find you get more from the country and road trip that way rather than just seeing other people's motorways. By all means use the motorways to make up time/distance. If you have the opportunity to go on the Toll Roads, do it. They are usually have no speed limits and have surfaces as smooth as a snooker table.
As for Italy, WOW, you're brave going that far south in such a nice car. The further South you go the worse the driving get's. You stop seeing nice cars once you get past Florence. After that it's the small italian collection that look like they should have been in a scrap yard years ago. 2,3, or 4 a breast down a single carridgeway with no central reservation into oncoming traffic is normal. Don't expect the Italians to stop for you, you have to stop for them. Keep your wits about you.
Visiting the Ferrari-museum in Maranello,Italy is an absolute MUST. As you'll be on honey-moon, Florence and Venice have to be seen.
Other nice places to visit:
Holland:
Arnhem ("A bridge too far" was filmed there)
Nijmegen
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Switzerland
Lake Lucerne (Great for a picnic)
All the Passes
Germany
NurnBerg (If only for the ring)
Austria
ing (It's a real place!)
Tutting (Also a real place Nring)
Italy
Piza (Leaning Tower)
Italy->Austria Border
Brenner Pass
Germany
hofbrauhause, Munchen centre
All the best for the Wedding day & Honeymoon. Enjoy the road trip.
Of all of the countries, you can't beat the hospitality of the Dutch. For absolute beauty, Switzerland is my #1.
If you're up for a challange and a huge reward, do the Stelvio pass (2757m) in Switzerland, but only on a good day!!!
Just a word of caution in Switzerland. They hate big fat noisy cars (or small cars that have a blowing exhaust!) so when approaching or leaving swiss check points keep it easy on the throttle. When entering Switzerland you'll need to pay their road tax (Vignette). It's approximately SFr40 and means you can travel on their motorways.
When approaching small Swiss villages keep to the speed limit. Police tend to hide and then pull you over when you least expect it. The first thing they do is remove your passport until you pay the fine there & then. No money = no passport. There are no IF, BUT's, or MAYBE's.
Europeans tend to let you know about police in the area by flashing you. So, keep to the speed limit when you get flashed until you've passed them.
If you're going to to the Alps you'll be fine. Your car (Power+brakes) are well suited to it. Like A57_HSV said, if busses can do it, you can. Once you get use to the safety features (no armco, just cliff face or shear drop) you'll be fine. Just make sure you do the passes on a clear day.
What I tend to do when going around Europe is have a major goal in mind like "I want to be in Amsterdam tonight" or "I'd like to have eisbein in Munich" or "I'd like to have Black Forrest Gatteau in the Black Forrest". Now rather than taking the major arterial roads, take the A/B roads and stop off when you see something you like or you require refreshments. I don't stay in hotels in big cities or towns. I find a small village or town just outside a major city and find a frindly B&B/Hotel to stay in. That way you get to mix it up with the locals. You'll find you get more from the country and road trip that way rather than just seeing other people's motorways. By all means use the motorways to make up time/distance. If you have the opportunity to go on the Toll Roads, do it. They are usually have no speed limits and have surfaces as smooth as a snooker table.
As for Italy, WOW, you're brave going that far south in such a nice car. The further South you go the worse the driving get's. You stop seeing nice cars once you get past Florence. After that it's the small italian collection that look like they should have been in a scrap yard years ago. 2,3, or 4 a breast down a single carridgeway with no central reservation into oncoming traffic is normal. Don't expect the Italians to stop for you, you have to stop for them. Keep your wits about you.
Visiting the Ferrari-museum in Maranello,Italy is an absolute MUST. As you'll be on honey-moon, Florence and Venice have to be seen.
Other nice places to visit:
Holland:
Arnhem ("A bridge too far" was filmed there)
Nijmegen
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Switzerland
Lake Lucerne (Great for a picnic)
All the Passes
Germany
NurnBerg (If only for the ring)
Austria
ing (It's a real place!) Tutting (Also a real place Nr
ing) Italy
Piza (Leaning Tower)
Italy->Austria Border
Brenner Pass
Germany
hofbrauhause, Munchen centre
All the best for the Wedding day & Honeymoon. Enjoy the road trip.
Thanks very much for the time taken in answering my question Tom & Steve and the nice comments on our impending marriage, input greatly appreciated. We fancy chilling in the Dam before the gargantuan drive, yes I was a bit nervous about Italy but now I feel more inclined to go for the hell of it. Should be a trip to remember, hopefully speeding will not be an issue (getting caught) as we intend to cruise, well most of the time…
We spent our honeymoon driving round Europe in our 928GTS. Was a lot of fun. Highlights included reaching 170mph in France... lowlights included being pulled over by the police a few minutes later and having to pay a £500 fine.
Incidentally the reason we did this in France and not Germany was that the autobahns were quite busy whereas the French motorways were almost completely empty.
Nearly got stuck in a small winding road leading up to some castle or something, can't remember the details - got down to a few inches clearance on either side as this road got narrower and narrower. Plus we had dozens of tourists following us because they thought we knew where we were going. I can't begin to imagine what would have happened if we'd kept going - when the car got jammed presumably they'd have had to get every single car behind us to reverse all the way down the winding road, stone walls either side - imagine the chaos and the damage to cars... doesn't bear thinking about. At the last moment I spotted a water delivery van disappearing off to the right and figured if he could get through so should I, and we managed to escape.
Italy was fine but we didn't go through any cities. They did drive fast - 100mph+ nose to tail in the rain. Quite an experience.
Best advice I can give - if one of you is driving and the other is navigating, try and keep your sense of humour!!!
Incidentally the reason we did this in France and not Germany was that the autobahns were quite busy whereas the French motorways were almost completely empty.
Nearly got stuck in a small winding road leading up to some castle or something, can't remember the details - got down to a few inches clearance on either side as this road got narrower and narrower. Plus we had dozens of tourists following us because they thought we knew where we were going. I can't begin to imagine what would have happened if we'd kept going - when the car got jammed presumably they'd have had to get every single car behind us to reverse all the way down the winding road, stone walls either side - imagine the chaos and the damage to cars... doesn't bear thinking about. At the last moment I spotted a water delivery van disappearing off to the right and figured if he could get through so should I, and we managed to escape.
Italy was fine but we didn't go through any cities. They did drive fast - 100mph+ nose to tail in the rain. Quite an experience.
Best advice I can give - if one of you is driving and the other is navigating, try and keep your sense of humour!!!
Hey there Will,
Can show you on a map over the weekend. Know some awesome places to visit. Sept/Oct, would be around the time of octoberfest, and going to go there again this year. Would be good to have a good Holden crowd rock up.
Anyhow, down in Portsmouth on the weekend, if you wanted to catch up at the Walkabout on Sat night for a beer or three.
Can show you on a map over the weekend. Know some awesome places to visit. Sept/Oct, would be around the time of octoberfest, and going to go there again this year. Would be good to have a good Holden crowd rock up.
Anyhow, down in Portsmouth on the weekend, if you wanted to catch up at the Walkabout on Sat night for a beer or three.
I can fully recommend driving in Switzerland as i used to live there a few yrs ago in a small village called Vuisternens-en-Ogoz just off the tourist track but close to Gruyeres, Romont, Fribourg, Neuchatel. A lovely little hotel & restuarant run by a friend who used to be head chef @ the Savoy in London b4 he moved back home to Switzerland to start a family. If u wanna drive thru that way i can ring him & see what vacancies he has & if a deal can be done 
Greg, Robert & Jace
Thanx guys, most informative & very helpful, just convince Dianne at the Ace that it was a brilliant idea of hers to do the trip, especially to incorporate the 'ring' & Italian motoring museums too (now I'm in trouble).
Jace I'm parenting this w/e mate plus we have Dianne’s grandson over too so this will be the 3rd time I can’t make it, don’t take it as a snub mate.
Robert, love your idea, food will be good then, can we catch up at the Ace. that is if you are going - Will
Thanx guys, most informative & very helpful, just convince Dianne at the Ace that it was a brilliant idea of hers to do the trip, especially to incorporate the 'ring' & Italian motoring museums too (now I'm in trouble).
Jace I'm parenting this w/e mate plus we have Dianne’s grandson over too so this will be the 3rd time I can’t make it, don’t take it as a snub mate.
Robert, love your idea, food will be good then, can we catch up at the Ace. that is if you are going - Will
European road trips, I love them! I regularly used to take my old (opel) Commodore over to Germany and Holland for club meets there. Thank god for unrestricted autobahns. Agree on the hospitatily of the Dutch - lovely people, and I love Amsterdam too, been there loads of times. For ease of parking, I always used to leave the car at Schipol airport car park, and then get the train in to the city (30 mins). But last year, when I went to the Nurburg ring, in the 'ro, I went to Amsterdam again, but drove into the centre this time - never had so many people stare (and listen..) to the car - was a right laugh I can tell you! I actually fould the driving fine - just be careful when making right turns - look out for cyclists. Parking in the city centre car parks is very expensive though.
I have also driven through Italy from Rome to Naples/Sorrento/Amalfi coast - beautiful country but as said driving standards are appauling! Natives will drive 2" away from your backside on the motorway whilst flashing their lights to try and get past you, no matter what speed you are doing even if there are cars in both lanes. The hard shoulder is often used as a third lane.... Parking and driving in Rome has to be seen to be believed. Scooters going the wrong way around roundabouts, 3 up, with the driver smoking a fag, on the phone, and drinking coffee at the same time!! Parking is ... well, anywhere there is a space (even across pedestrian crossings) double parking, triple parking. It's quite normal to double/triple park it those squares near restaurants. When you get back to your car, and find its blocked in, just sound your horn for a few minutes, this is the signal for the owners of the cars blocking yours in, to come out and move their car!
Just typing this really makes me want to go back - soon!
Have a great time Will.
I have also driven through Italy from Rome to Naples/Sorrento/Amalfi coast - beautiful country but as said driving standards are appauling! Natives will drive 2" away from your backside on the motorway whilst flashing their lights to try and get past you, no matter what speed you are doing even if there are cars in both lanes. The hard shoulder is often used as a third lane.... Parking and driving in Rome has to be seen to be believed. Scooters going the wrong way around roundabouts, 3 up, with the driver smoking a fag, on the phone, and drinking coffee at the same time!! Parking is ... well, anywhere there is a space (even across pedestrian crossings) double parking, triple parking. It's quite normal to double/triple park it those squares near restaurants. When you get back to your car, and find its blocked in, just sound your horn for a few minutes, this is the signal for the owners of the cars blocking yours in, to come out and move their car!
Just typing this really makes me want to go back - soon!
Have a great time Will.
Will
The 'ring' I can deal with JUST!!! So what's this about auto-museums, now that is pushing it just one step too far
Just found some good flights to Italy from Southampton, that dont include auto-museums ....YEAH!! So let forget the auto-museums or I might be tempted to book them!
Dianne
The 'ring' I can deal with JUST!!! So what's this about auto-museums, now that is pushing it just one step too far
Just found some good flights to Italy from Southampton, that dont include auto-museums ....YEAH!! So let forget the auto-museums or I might be tempted to book them!
Dianne
I am sure that we could fashion a ring out of a piston ring or something. Know some people in jewellery back home.
One piece of advice.... Don't drive in Italy! They are completely nuts. Same problem with Paris as well, god, best time to go through Paris was at 3am in the morning!
On the way back from Octoberfest, we should line the holdens up underneath the Tower, the best time to do it is very early in the morning.
One piece of advice.... Don't drive in Italy! They are completely nuts. Same problem with Paris as well, god, best time to go through Paris was at 3am in the morning!
On the way back from Octoberfest, we should line the holdens up underneath the Tower, the best time to do it is very early in the morning.
The ring in question was not of the gold variety but the Nordscheife ring. Yeah, don't fancy dabbling with the Italians so probally no further than Venice & Milan. Done the Arc du Triumph in rush hour before and driven to the Dam about 14 times to date, driven to Monaco also, little bit of driving in Germany, scarey in a 100 mph smart, felt like I was stationary!
Appreciating all the feedback gents, keep it coming...
Appreciating all the feedback gents, keep it coming...
What Rob were u referring to Will? Only problem i had in 1 or 2 Swiss towns were that some of the roads were cobbled & at the time i owned an MR2 Turbo needless to say it got a bit twitchy if it rained or the temp had dropped i was driving like Miss Daisy then! The drive from Geneva round Lake Geneva (Lac Leman) to Lausanne (smell the big Nestle factory as u drive past) is 1 of the most scenic routes i have ever driven with Evian the other side of the lake in France,Vevey & Montreaux just past Lausanne but the Holden will be fine there my friend had an E-Type & he could throw it round the mountain roads.
Incidentally i think the swiss have a brilliant registration system & i wondered if any other countries have it. When u pass ur test u are issued a registration number that u keep for life & transfer from car to car or if u own multiple cars u put the plates on the car u are driving so in effect ur licence plate is a form of official i.d & insurance was cheap there as well, mate owned a 328 GTB, E-Type & 1985 Audi quattro sport & paid equivalent £600 yr insurance total for all 3 cars!!
Incidentally i think the swiss have a brilliant registration system & i wondered if any other countries have it. When u pass ur test u are issued a registration number that u keep for life & transfer from car to car or if u own multiple cars u put the plates on the car u are driving so in effect ur licence plate is a form of official i.d & insurance was cheap there as well, mate owned a 328 GTB, E-Type & 1985 Audi quattro sport & paid equivalent £600 yr insurance total for all 3 cars!!
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