Taking the Aston around Europe
Discussion
Hi folks!
I'm in the market of buying a DB9 (possibly a Rapide) and might have a deal done by this weekend. Now, me and my better half have had a roadtrip around the morepart of Europe planned for some time, though in a car of less width (and value). So with the impending upgrade of wheels, we're revising our trip plan.
With this, I thought I'd ask you folks where to go! We're looking at up to 3 weeks in July, starting from Stockholm, Sweden. Our previous plan was taking the ferry to Latvia (where her parents are for the summer - they go by motorboat), driving down to Poland, Warsaw in one go to avoid staying in the rest of the Baltics. Followed by Prague, Vienna, Budapest. Down to the Croatian coast, over to Venice and up in to Austria (looking for scenic Alp roads), over to Liechtenstein and then Switzerland, to Milan, Ventimiglia (small place we stayed one summer), to Menton, Nice, up through France, to Germany and back home.
Long trip? Quite, in my eyes. We're thinking that the eastern part of this trip is best to avoid in an Aston, what would you guys advice?
Instead we're considering only doing Sweden-Denmark-Germany-Austria-Switzerland-Italy-France-back home.
Our worries include: Theft/damage, bad roads and drivers, lousy petrol.
Thanks in advance!
I'm in the market of buying a DB9 (possibly a Rapide) and might have a deal done by this weekend. Now, me and my better half have had a roadtrip around the morepart of Europe planned for some time, though in a car of less width (and value). So with the impending upgrade of wheels, we're revising our trip plan.
With this, I thought I'd ask you folks where to go! We're looking at up to 3 weeks in July, starting from Stockholm, Sweden. Our previous plan was taking the ferry to Latvia (where her parents are for the summer - they go by motorboat), driving down to Poland, Warsaw in one go to avoid staying in the rest of the Baltics. Followed by Prague, Vienna, Budapest. Down to the Croatian coast, over to Venice and up in to Austria (looking for scenic Alp roads), over to Liechtenstein and then Switzerland, to Milan, Ventimiglia (small place we stayed one summer), to Menton, Nice, up through France, to Germany and back home.
Long trip? Quite, in my eyes. We're thinking that the eastern part of this trip is best to avoid in an Aston, what would you guys advice?
Instead we're considering only doing Sweden-Denmark-Germany-Austria-Switzerland-Italy-France-back home.
Our worries include: Theft/damage, bad roads and drivers, lousy petrol.
Thanks in advance!
There's a huge mass to be found on google of course, but filtering it is difficult!One thing I would say : Check that there are no odd rules in the countries you're driving through - particularly the Eastern ones.
I was planning a road trip earlier this year, and my initial route would have seen me go through Bulgaria. Until I discovered that if I was unlucky enough to have my non-EU car stolen (and obviously it will be non EU soon) - despite the fact that it would be covered by insurance, the govt there will then treat it as an import. And you have to pay import duties and taxes - which would be a pretty penny on the car I was planning to take, and also on an Aston.
I decided that wasn't a country I was planning to drive through.
I was planning a road trip earlier this year, and my initial route would have seen me go through Bulgaria. Until I discovered that if I was unlucky enough to have my non-EU car stolen (and obviously it will be non EU soon) - despite the fact that it would be covered by insurance, the govt there will then treat it as an import. And you have to pay import duties and taxes - which would be a pretty penny on the car I was planning to take, and also on an Aston.
I decided that wasn't a country I was planning to drive through.
Stelvo Pass in Italy is a must, Grossglockner in Austria just do a search for the best pass roads.
Be careful in Swizerland police fines you big time for speeding even 2-3 Kmh over the speed limit and you got to pay on the spot.
You should get 98 petrol in all countries, just stick to brand names like Shell, PB, etc.
Enjoy your trip
Be careful in Swizerland police fines you big time for speeding even 2-3 Kmh over the speed limit and you got to pay on the spot.
You should get 98 petrol in all countries, just stick to brand names like Shell, PB, etc.
Enjoy your trip
I brought my DB9 as a replacement for a string of 911s mainly for euro travelling.
Both my wife and I prefer the Aston, but if we could change anything we would have a bigger boot or more internal space.
We drive to either Monza or Monaco each year for the GP (This year is Monaco).
Although I've driven the Stelvio a few times I not really a fan. The walls are too high to allow good visibility around the hairpins, the Aston is a big 'big' for it and it's normally full of cyclists.
I would recommend.
1. Furka Pass (for that Goldfinger moment).
2. Route Napoleon.
3. Col du Bonet
4. Grimsel Pass
5. The Tremolo.
Heres me last year.
Both my wife and I prefer the Aston, but if we could change anything we would have a bigger boot or more internal space.
We drive to either Monza or Monaco each year for the GP (This year is Monaco).
Although I've driven the Stelvio a few times I not really a fan. The walls are too high to allow good visibility around the hairpins, the Aston is a big 'big' for it and it's normally full of cyclists.
I would recommend.
1. Furka Pass (for that Goldfinger moment).
2. Route Napoleon.
3. Col du Bonet
4. Grimsel Pass
5. The Tremolo.
Heres me last year.
Big thanks for all the replies! Sweden will be remaining a part of the EU thus I don't have to worry about that, at least.
I checked most of the recommendations, seems we might be going zig-zag over the Alps to make sure we see all of them
Regarding the 98 octane - I read that the V12 is tuned for 95? Though I figure the quality is often better in 98.
I checked most of the recommendations, seems we might be going zig-zag over the Alps to make sure we see all of them
Regarding the 98 octane - I read that the V12 is tuned for 95? Though I figure the quality is often better in 98.
Grossglochner is indeed a must and there are some good run off stops to take pictures. I recall it is about 15 euros to enter but worth it and the visitor centre at the summit/glacier is very interesting too.
Avoid peak times at Stelvio, an early morning start when the sun rises is awesome or the evening when the sun sets. Book in at the Hotel Madatsch at Trafoi (fab room/dinner at reasonable cost) which is at the foot of Stelvio, then you get the next morning to do the pass.
Our tour also took in Kaprun and Arabba, the passes in the Tirol and Dolomites are pretty good too.
Enjoy....
Avoid peak times at Stelvio, an early morning start when the sun rises is awesome or the evening when the sun sets. Book in at the Hotel Madatsch at Trafoi (fab room/dinner at reasonable cost) which is at the foot of Stelvio, then you get the next morning to do the pass.
Our tour also took in Kaprun and Arabba, the passes in the Tirol and Dolomites are pretty good too.
Enjoy....
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