I fancy a road trip down the Alps next week.....

[Moonlite Fingers]

Furthest I gone before is Belgium and I am dieing to drive some alpine roads and possibly catch a few unrestricted autobahns on the way there.

Any tips or suggested roads/routs?

[Targarama]

Try Germany Just do it. Everywhere is fun, but don't speed too much in France as they will take your licence from you and you'll be stuck unless your passenger can drive the car.

[stub101]

I have just got back from my first major roadtrip - a 3000 mile trip around Europe which was simply amazing and I would recommend it to anyone. My route was as follows:

Leeds > Calais > Brussels > Zolder Circuit > Cologne > Nurburgring > Hockenheim > Lake Konstance > Zurich.

Then from Zurich I took in the majority of Swiss mountain passes starting with: Brunig Pass, Grimsel Pass and Furka Pass (2nd best road I found) to Andermatt, before heading down the Gotthard Pass (cobbled road!!!) to Belinzona, and then onto Davos via the San Bernardino Pass which was the best road I drove by a long way, and the Julier and Albula Passes. From Davos I then headed along the Fluela Pass, the Offen Pass, and down the Umbrail Pass (very good road apart from being dirt track in places) onto the Stelvio Pass (which was absolutely spectacular to see but boring to drive due to the amount of cyclists, bikers and general tourists!).

After the Stelvio Pass I headed to Livigno and St Moritz before taking in a few days on Lake Como which was simply stunning and definitely worthy of a return visit. After Como I went to Monza to see the circuit and the old banked circuit which was good to see, before heading to a friends vineyard near Alessandria and beginning my route home.

My return route was up past Turin to Aosta and then along the Col du Petit St Bernard (which is very very enjoyable) to Bourg St Maurice, and then a very scenic loop past Tignes, Val D'isere and the Col de I'iseran to Modane > Chambery > Lyon > Dijon, and then a stop-off in Reims for Champagne and obligatory photos in front of the buildings at the old circuit.

These cars are made to be driven so have fun and I guarantee that you will do nothing apart from smile all the way and enjoy yourself immensley... I would do the trip again tomorrow if I could.

[nightSpirit]

I did a banger rally a few years back, from London to Venice. We went through France, onto Switzerland, Italy and finished carless in Venice.

I've since done the route again in a better car and I cannot say enough how truly epic the journey is, driving the various passes into Italy is simply awe inspiring.

My suggestion would be to travel to Thun in Switzerland (nice town), then drive from there to the Alpa and you'll cover the Furka, Grimsel and St.Gottard pass. The tunnels on the way to Switzerland are fantastic aswell.

I will go again next year in the Tamora, it's like doing the 'Ring, it's something any driver just has to do, period.

[gary_de_tam]

Have a look at the continental car tour trips.. very good last
year, 1st week in Aug... was not busy. Was only Trev but great
crowd of Jag and Porky..

[Stablelad]

stub101 said:

After the Stelvio Pass I headed to Livigno and St Moritz before taking in a few days on Lake Como which was simply stunning and definitely worthy of a return visit.

Shout if you'd like to rent some nice accommodation

[Lensey]

I may spot you, (in Calais at least) I'm on my way down to Spain on Saturday

[Moonlite Fingers]

Well fellow P Heads I am sat in a bar in Frankfurt after a quick blat through the top of France, Belgium and into the Father land. From the thread it looks like I should head into Switzerland after my date with the Ring tomorrow morning :-)

Thanks for the tips and barring the machine or my skills letting me down, I should be back in Blighty on Thursday!

[geordieexpat]

Im heading home to SW France tomorrow from Newcastle to the SW mammoth 1200miles

[stub101]

Stablelad said:

stub101 said:

After the Stelvio Pass I headed to Livigno and St Moritz before taking in a few days on Lake Como which was simply stunning and definitely worthy of a return visit.

Shout if you'd like to rent some nice accommodation

Ooh tell me more as I'm planning my holidays for next year. Where is it?

[key750]

stub101 said:

Stablelad said:

stub101 said:

After the Stelvio Pass I headed to Livigno and St Moritz before taking in a few days on Lake Como which was simply stunning and definitely worthy of a return visit.

Shout if you'd like to rent some nice accommodation

Ooh tell me more as I'm planning my holidays for next year. Where is it?

Italy - Switzerland

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg_Lb9GXOvs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_HFwvncitw

[Stablelad]

stub101 said:

Stablelad said:

stub101 said:

After the Stelvio Pass I headed to Livigno and St Moritz before taking in a few days on Lake Como which was simply stunning and definitely worthy of a return visit.

Shout if you'd like to rent some nice accommodation

Ooh tell me more as I'm planning my holidays for next year. Where is it?

See my profile chum!

[itiejim]

I'm coming back from Rome next week in the family S-Max. I'd usually use the St Bernard tunnel, but the comment above makes me think that the pass might be worth the detour (and child vomit). I'll stick to the St Gotthard tunnel though as I don't fancy 50kms of cobbles, there're enough of them in Rome.