09's Euro Tour - Long & very picture heavy
Discussion
A few people have mentioned to me to write up the Euro tour we did last year and given the crud weather and the fact we’ve nearly finished planning next years I thought I’d write up where we went, add some photo’s and the odd comment etc . . You may find it of interest or useful for planning your own trips.
We did a mix of camping and hotels. Some will gulp at the notion of camping out of the boot of the Griffith, away for nearly 2.5wks. But a bit of organisation and sacrifice and it is more than adequate...
Mileage is after the day and is approximate, we did more than we initially planned . . .
The whole route was planned before hand using Autoroute and .ITNConv so every day we just let Tom Tom take the strain unless we decided to change things a little. Highlights only below, there are a lot more roads, Col’s and passes we did but I’ve not listed them all. . .
There’s load of resources on the net with Alpineroads.com being the best, but there a lot of others and you can pick all sorts of tips and routes. .
Overall, it should be stated the Griffith ran faultlessly. Unfortunately, its driver determined that he would on occasion break her . . . you’ll see.
Day 1 – 280
BSE to Cadwell Park for the British Superbikes and onto West Malling in Kent. Not really exciting for many unless you know how good the roads are around Cadwell Park and how good the racing is there. We stayed at our other house near Maidstone so we could hit the tunnel in the morning. I also haven’t missed a Cadwell BSB round in 20yrs, so we weren’t about to start now !
Day 2 – West Malling to Nancy - 320
There are all sorts of debates about which way to tackle getting through Northern France, we chose to get to Nancy. On the way stopping at Reims GP Circuits for some photos. I’ve been several times now and I think I preferred the distressed look. But really appreciate the efforts of the conservation team that have put so much work into getting it into the state it is now. You used to be able to get up into the stands and get better photo’s but this is the best we got on a rainy day.
We were due to camp at Nancy, but neither of us really realised how shattered after a long period of a lot of work we were, it was pouring with rain and so we said s
t to it and hit a 4 star in Nancy for a good meal and a good nights kip – a great decision.
Day 3 – Nancy to Mulhouse - 240
One of the reasons for Nancy was it’s a great starting point to tackle the Vosges mountain. There are many great roads through here and people often dismiss them. Head over the Gran Ballon and a number of other roads before dropping down into Colmar to visit the Issenheim altar piece. We were going to camp at Colmar, but decided we’d push on as the driving was so good and picked up the roads leading south off the Vosges and into Mulhouse – put up tent.
Didn’t really get the camera out as the weather was inclement at best and you know how it is, when the driving’s that good you just keep going
Day 4 – Mulhouse to Filisur (nr Davos) - 200
Wake up in the tent and it’s raining . . Feck it . . . Oh well. Have fun with the Austrian Porsche owners club through the streets of Mulhouse going to the Schlumpf museum (of course we beat them there . . . . they were not amused at all ). If you’ve not been, it’s well worth stopping on your way down through France, this unlikely location for a massive car collection which is in many ways priceless has to be seen . .
On and off torrential rain from Mulhouse until we get south of Zurich was somewhat taxing, but soon we’ve found the weird campsite run by people who have evidently had a little too much mountain air . . . Great place though. Put tent up. There were cows and everything . . .
Day 5 – Davos to St Moritz – 200
Stelvio, Gavia, Umbrail, Fluela and Bernina passes . . . Names that will be familiar to some, maybe many. They all have their good and bad bits and the weather was still not being kind to us. Very low cloud and the odd precipitous period, but we’re used to it and the driving really starts here. Fast and flowing Fluela is epic, Gavia is jilted by the Italians mini Fiat owners club and coaches until we despatch them. Stelvio is great fun if you do it the right way, from South West to North East. It’s nowhere near the best pass in Switzerland, but it’s a must do and having done it both ways, SE to NW is the best.
We stayed out of St Moritz and picked what we thought would be a great hotel, it turned into the Saga hotel and is another story in itself. Hotel for night, too cold for camping.
Day 6 – St Moritz to Andermatt - 175
Sustenpass, Grimselpass, Furka Pass, Tiefencastel/Jufferspasse, St Gotthard pass . . . . No doubting it, this is one of the finest driving days that the Griffith has ever had. Each of the passes is fun in a different way. St Gotthard is heaving busy and :wave: to the purple Chimaera we saw there. We had great fun with 2 Ducati’s who were doing the same as us, drive some, photo some and chased each other round the entire circuit. If you ever get a chance, do this circuit.
We’d pushed the boat out to stop at the www.theriverhouse.ch and it’s worth it . . . an epic days driving with the weather now fixed, great hotel and awesome food.
Day 7 – Andermatt to Bourg St Maurice – 225
Furka pass again
Grande & Petit St Bernard passes and walk inside the Rhone Glacier . . .. The driving just keeps coming, the Furkapass has everything you could want. Tight hairpins and narrow sections at the top and opening out into sweeping bends and high speed sections further down, an epic. The Bernard’s are great fun as well and then a few others onto Bourg, which is nothing to write home about at all, but it was a useful place to stop for a couple of nights to do some other roads we wanted too . .
If you’ve got the time, stop at the Rhone Glacier for a wander inside, it really is worth, even better if like us you get there early as you’ll not be fighting everyone else . . . Tent up again now for 2 x nights....
Day 8 – Bourg to Annecy to Bourg – 170
Col du Rhome and Col du Colembier . . . . This was a wind down day, but the driving was equally as good on less well known roads. Annecy is great for a spot of lunch and a wander.
Back to tent and open the red . .
Day 9 – Bourg to Barcelonnette - 175
Col D'Iserian, Val D'Isere, Col Du Galibier . . . Climbing out of Bourg and chasing a Triumph up the Col D’Iserian was a highlight. It’s a great little road and the Galibier is challenging and fun to do.
This was the first breakage of the trip. About halfway up Iserian we pulled over for a natural and pulled on the handbrake, not quite enough, so give it another go and snapped the M8 lever bolt clean
So now we’ve no hand brake for the rest of the trip . . oh well, find a rock then !
There are 2 top sections to Galibier, one has a car tunnel, the other is windy tiny stuff, so imagine our amusement as we eat lunch and watch a 40 footer arrive north bound and having to direct traffic when he realised there was no way he was going to get it over the Col
Pitch tent in Barcelonnette, excited to do the Col de la Bonnette the next day.
Day 10 – Barcelonnete to Aix en Provence - 220
Col de La Bonnette, Red & Black gorges, Gorges du Verdun . . . What a stunning day ! ! The Bonnette is higher than Stelvio and 20 times better to drive. We chase a group of bikes on the way up and they let us go eventually . . .. Awesome road which was recently re-surfaced for the TdF to climb over it and it's as good on the way down the other side as well . ..
The Red and Black Gorges are less well known and vary in the quality of driving, but the scenery is simply stunning and 17 tunnels is always a bonus.
Gorges Verdun . . . Balllistic, Billy and I raced around it in 2007. This time was to take in the views and it’s somewhere everyone should drive and visit given the chance – did miss not going full bore round it again though
Put up tent for 2 nights, knackered, full of sun and sink a couple of bottles of red amongst the provence pine trees . . . what a day.
Day 11 – Aix en Provence to Aix en Provence – 120
We were going to spend the day in Aix, but after 2-3hrs wandering we headed for the roads and hill top towns of Provence, when Sat Nav said turn right, we went left, if it said go left we went straight on . . . anything but stopping driving. Great roads amongst the vines. A very relaxed day . . . and now we’re stuck with a porcelain Bull Terrier as well .... long story
Back to tent . . . . and cold beers
Day 12 – Aix en Provence to the Ardeche – 220
Colorado Provencal, Mont Ventoux (via THAT Carpentas road, my fave), Gorge L'Ardeche (inc. arch) . . . This was one of my most anticipated days as the Carpentras road up to Ventoux is used for hill climbing by the French and is simply one of my favourite roads anywhere. Up or down it is challenging, fast, fun and suits the Griffith. The Colorado Provencal is stunning and worth the walk . . .
The road around the Ardeche Gorge is one of those little gems. Ideally you hit it later in the afternoon out of season when the kayaker’s and the tourists have retired and you can have a clean run at it. It goes on and on and on . . . corner after corner, fast, slow, tight, open, great road surface, wide . . . a real little gem, do it if you can.
Put up tent and eat a great steak with lot’s of cold beer after a swim in the coldest swimming pool in the SoF !
Day 13 – Ardeche to Millau – 180
Pont du Gard, Corniche Des Cevennes (epic road!), Millau viaduct . . . Blending driving and sight seeing and turning for home Also, here comes the second and third breakages of the trip . .
Difficult to believe now, but 25yrs ago I walked across the top of the Pont du Gard. It’s barriered off now and I was really glad as how they ever let anyone walk on the top is beyond me. Leaving there through the town a drain cover gets caught in front of us and lifted. We hit it with the n/s rear ARB bracket and a big bang and dragging noises says we’ve bust something. . .
Quick inspection under the car and a helpful French papa stopping to tell us where the bits are the Mrs is despatched to wander down the very busy high street and collect what she can find - she recovers bracket and poly bush ! I then remove the remains of the ARB without ramp or jack and after the generosity of the French Posties to give me somewhere to clean up we’re away again with the ARB in the boot.
On to the Corniche des Cevennes . . . Plenty of videos on Youtube, even one of my own from ’07 and the last breakage . . The race to refurb the rack the most times hots up when the near side pop’s again . . the Corniche is a demanding road when you’re really pressing on and the noises from the rack weren’t going to stop the fun when I knew the issue. Another road everyone should drive and the top section after the initial ascent is great fast fun as well .. .
Last night under canvas . . . we did really miss it !
Day 14 - Millau to Puy en Valley – 210
It’s difficult when you know you’re heading for home . . . However, to cheer the way a trip over the Viaduct lifts the spirit. Well done Sir Norman Foster, an iconic French achievement designed by a Brit !
Onto or into the Gorge du Tarn. It’s difficult to describe this as a great driving road, it’s bumpy as hell and quite narrow until you get to the last half or so when it starts to open out and is more fun. It’s the scenery which makes it so much . .
After the tarn we do another 2 or 3 great roads including the main road leading into Puy en Valley. Big open, very fast, sweeping over the rolling hills this is great fun and I’d wholly recommend it if you ever are in the area, stay off the autoroute but be careful of Mr Gendarme as it’s well known how quick and fun it is
Day 15 – Puy to Versailles – 340
Up early and onto the autoroute to get to Versailles. We’re heading home and just need to cover the miles. Gave us a chance to have a wander around the Palais Versailles as well . . . turned out it was closed but the gardens weren’t.
5 star’s now with under ground parking so Nigella was equally well cared for and we used every star !
Day 16 – Versailles to BSE – 360
Monet’s garden on the way home near Rouen and back in time to collect the cats from their holiday.
The Griffith is such a great continental tourer. Spacious, fast, comfortable and even loaded up etc when you want it to perform and push it along it obliges. This is far from our only euro tour, but I hope it serves to inspire some people to get out there and do a proper driving holiday. You do need a Mrs who enjoys it as well . . .
Faultless throughout apart from where I broke it or where the rack gave up again, although in fairness it blew the reservoir of fluid into the boot and after topping up again it didn’t keep leaking, which meant we still had PAS for the last of the trip and didn’t have to manage the dripping red death . . .
Next year we’re off to the Misano GP via Switzerland and some of the Mille Migle routes. Some we’ve done before and some new. Home via Sienna, Florence, Mugello, Ducati factory, Fiorentina etc . . Only 12 days but better than not getting it out and using it as designed . . .
If you've made it to the end of this and read it all . . . well done !
We did a mix of camping and hotels. Some will gulp at the notion of camping out of the boot of the Griffith, away for nearly 2.5wks. But a bit of organisation and sacrifice and it is more than adequate...
Mileage is after the day and is approximate, we did more than we initially planned . . .
The whole route was planned before hand using Autoroute and .ITNConv so every day we just let Tom Tom take the strain unless we decided to change things a little. Highlights only below, there are a lot more roads, Col’s and passes we did but I’ve not listed them all. . .There’s load of resources on the net with Alpineroads.com being the best, but there a lot of others and you can pick all sorts of tips and routes. .
Overall, it should be stated the Griffith ran faultlessly. Unfortunately, its driver determined that he would on occasion break her . . . you’ll see.
Day 1 – 280
BSE to Cadwell Park for the British Superbikes and onto West Malling in Kent. Not really exciting for many unless you know how good the roads are around Cadwell Park and how good the racing is there. We stayed at our other house near Maidstone so we could hit the tunnel in the morning. I also haven’t missed a Cadwell BSB round in 20yrs, so we weren’t about to start now !
Day 2 – West Malling to Nancy - 320
There are all sorts of debates about which way to tackle getting through Northern France, we chose to get to Nancy. On the way stopping at Reims GP Circuits for some photos. I’ve been several times now and I think I preferred the distressed look. But really appreciate the efforts of the conservation team that have put so much work into getting it into the state it is now. You used to be able to get up into the stands and get better photo’s but this is the best we got on a rainy day.
We were due to camp at Nancy, but neither of us really realised how shattered after a long period of a lot of work we were, it was pouring with rain and so we said s
t to it and hit a 4 star in Nancy for a good meal and a good nights kip – a great decision.Day 3 – Nancy to Mulhouse - 240
One of the reasons for Nancy was it’s a great starting point to tackle the Vosges mountain. There are many great roads through here and people often dismiss them. Head over the Gran Ballon and a number of other roads before dropping down into Colmar to visit the Issenheim altar piece. We were going to camp at Colmar, but decided we’d push on as the driving was so good and picked up the roads leading south off the Vosges and into Mulhouse – put up tent.
Didn’t really get the camera out as the weather was inclement at best and you know how it is, when the driving’s that good you just keep going
Day 4 – Mulhouse to Filisur (nr Davos) - 200
Wake up in the tent and it’s raining . . Feck it . . . Oh well. Have fun with the Austrian Porsche owners club through the streets of Mulhouse going to the Schlumpf museum (of course we beat them there . . . . they were not amused at all
). If you’ve not been, it’s well worth stopping on your way down through France, this unlikely location for a massive car collection which is in many ways priceless has to be seen . .On and off torrential rain from Mulhouse until we get south of Zurich was somewhat taxing, but soon we’ve found the weird campsite run by people who have evidently had a little too much mountain air . . . Great place though. Put tent up. There were cows and everything . . .
Day 5 – Davos to St Moritz – 200
Stelvio, Gavia, Umbrail, Fluela and Bernina passes . . . Names that will be familiar to some, maybe many. They all have their good and bad bits and the weather was still not being kind to us. Very low cloud and the odd precipitous period, but we’re used to it and the driving really starts here. Fast and flowing Fluela is epic, Gavia is jilted by the Italians mini Fiat owners club and coaches until we despatch them. Stelvio is great fun if you do it the right way, from South West to North East. It’s nowhere near the best pass in Switzerland, but it’s a must do and having done it both ways, SE to NW is the best.
We stayed out of St Moritz and picked what we thought would be a great hotel, it turned into the Saga hotel and is another story in itself. Hotel for night, too cold for camping.
Day 6 – St Moritz to Andermatt - 175
Sustenpass, Grimselpass, Furka Pass, Tiefencastel/Jufferspasse, St Gotthard pass . . . . No doubting it, this is one of the finest driving days that the Griffith has ever had. Each of the passes is fun in a different way. St Gotthard is heaving busy and :wave: to the purple Chimaera we saw there. We had great fun with 2 Ducati’s who were doing the same as us, drive some, photo some and chased each other round the entire circuit. If you ever get a chance, do this circuit.
We’d pushed the boat out to stop at the www.theriverhouse.ch and it’s worth it . . . an epic days driving with the weather now fixed, great hotel and awesome food.
Day 7 – Andermatt to Bourg St Maurice – 225
Furka pass again
Grande & Petit St Bernard passes and walk inside the Rhone Glacier . . .. The driving just keeps coming, the Furkapass has everything you could want. Tight hairpins and narrow sections at the top and opening out into sweeping bends and high speed sections further down, an epic. The Bernard’s are great fun as well and then a few others onto Bourg, which is nothing to write home about at all, but it was a useful place to stop for a couple of nights to do some other roads we wanted too . .If you’ve got the time, stop at the Rhone Glacier for a wander inside, it really is worth, even better if like us you get there early as you’ll not be fighting everyone else . . . Tent up again now for 2 x nights....
Day 8 – Bourg to Annecy to Bourg – 170
Col du Rhome and Col du Colembier . . . . This was a wind down day, but the driving was equally as good on less well known roads. Annecy is great for a spot of lunch and a wander.
Back to tent and open the red . .
Day 9 – Bourg to Barcelonnette - 175
Col D'Iserian, Val D'Isere, Col Du Galibier . . . Climbing out of Bourg and chasing a Triumph up the Col D’Iserian was a highlight. It’s a great little road and the Galibier is challenging and fun to do.
This was the first breakage of the trip. About halfway up Iserian we pulled over for a natural and pulled on the handbrake, not quite enough, so give it another go and snapped the M8 lever bolt clean
So now we’ve no hand brake for the rest of the trip . . oh well, find a rock then ! There are 2 top sections to Galibier, one has a car tunnel, the other is windy tiny stuff, so imagine our amusement as we eat lunch and watch a 40 footer arrive north bound and having to direct traffic when he realised there was no way he was going to get it over the Col
Pitch tent in Barcelonnette, excited to do the Col de la Bonnette the next day.
Day 10 – Barcelonnete to Aix en Provence - 220
Col de La Bonnette, Red & Black gorges, Gorges du Verdun . . . What a stunning day ! ! The Bonnette is higher than Stelvio and 20 times better to drive. We chase a group of bikes on the way up and they let us go eventually . . .. Awesome road which was recently re-surfaced for the TdF to climb over it and it's as good on the way down the other side as well . ..
The Red and Black Gorges are less well known and vary in the quality of driving, but the scenery is simply stunning and 17 tunnels is always a bonus.
Gorges Verdun . . . Balllistic, Billy and I raced around it in 2007. This time was to take in the views and it’s somewhere everyone should drive and visit given the chance – did miss not going full bore round it again though
Put up tent for 2 nights, knackered, full of sun and sink a couple of bottles of red amongst the provence pine trees . . . what a day.
Day 11 – Aix en Provence to Aix en Provence – 120
We were going to spend the day in Aix, but after 2-3hrs wandering we headed for the roads and hill top towns of Provence, when Sat Nav said turn right, we went left, if it said go left we went straight on . . . anything but stopping driving. Great roads amongst the vines. A very relaxed day . . . and now we’re stuck with a porcelain Bull Terrier as well
.... long storyBack to tent . . . . and cold beers
Day 12 – Aix en Provence to the Ardeche – 220
Colorado Provencal, Mont Ventoux (via THAT Carpentas road, my fave), Gorge L'Ardeche (inc. arch) . . . This was one of my most anticipated days as the Carpentras road up to Ventoux is used for hill climbing by the French and is simply one of my favourite roads anywhere. Up or down it is challenging, fast, fun and suits the Griffith. The Colorado Provencal is stunning and worth the walk . . .
The road around the Ardeche Gorge is one of those little gems. Ideally you hit it later in the afternoon out of season when the kayaker’s and the tourists have retired and you can have a clean run at it. It goes on and on and on . . . corner after corner, fast, slow, tight, open, great road surface, wide . . . a real little gem, do it if you can.
Put up tent and eat a great steak with lot’s of cold beer
after a swim in the coldest swimming pool in the SoF !Day 13 – Ardeche to Millau – 180
Pont du Gard, Corniche Des Cevennes (epic road!), Millau viaduct . . . Blending driving and sight seeing and turning for home
Also, here comes the second and third breakages of the trip . .Difficult to believe now, but 25yrs ago I walked across the top of the Pont du Gard. It’s barriered off now and I was really glad as how they ever let anyone walk on the top is beyond me. Leaving there through the town a drain cover gets caught in front of us and lifted. We hit it with the n/s rear ARB bracket and a big bang and dragging noises says we’ve bust something. . .
Quick inspection under the car and a helpful French papa stopping to tell us where the bits are the Mrs is despatched to wander down the very busy high street and collect what she can find - she recovers bracket and poly bush ! I then remove the remains of the ARB without ramp or jack and after the generosity of the French Posties to give me somewhere to clean up we’re away again with the ARB in the boot.
On to the Corniche des Cevennes . . . Plenty of videos on Youtube, even one of my own from ’07 and the last breakage . . The race to refurb the rack the most times hots up when the near side pop’s again . . the Corniche is a demanding road when you’re really pressing on and the noises from the rack weren’t going to stop the fun when I knew the issue. Another road everyone should drive and the top section after the initial ascent is great fast fun as well .. .
Last night under canvas . . . we did really miss it !
Day 14 - Millau to Puy en Valley – 210
It’s difficult when you know you’re heading for home . . . However, to cheer the way a trip over the Viaduct lifts the spirit. Well done Sir Norman Foster, an iconic French achievement designed by a Brit !
Onto or into the Gorge du Tarn. It’s difficult to describe this as a great driving road, it’s bumpy as hell and quite narrow until you get to the last half or so when it starts to open out and is more fun. It’s the scenery which makes it so much . .
After the tarn we do another 2 or 3 great roads including the main road leading into Puy en Valley. Big open, very fast, sweeping over the rolling hills this is great fun and I’d wholly recommend it if you ever are in the area, stay off the autoroute but be careful of Mr Gendarme as it’s well known how quick and fun it is
Day 15 – Puy to Versailles – 340
Up early and onto the autoroute to get to Versailles. We’re heading home and just need to cover the miles. Gave us a chance to have a wander around the Palais Versailles as well . . . turned out it was closed but the gardens weren’t.
5 star’s now with under ground parking so Nigella was equally well cared for and we used every star !
Day 16 – Versailles to BSE – 360
Monet’s garden on the way home near Rouen and back in time to collect the cats from their holiday.
The Griffith is such a great continental tourer. Spacious, fast, comfortable and even loaded up etc when you want it to perform and push it along it obliges. This is far from our only euro tour, but I hope it serves to inspire some people to get out there and do a proper driving holiday. You do need a Mrs who enjoys it as well . . .
Faultless throughout apart from where I broke it or where the rack gave up again, although in fairness it blew the reservoir of fluid into the boot and after topping up again it didn’t keep leaking, which meant we still had PAS for the last of the trip and didn’t have to manage the dripping red death . . .
Next year we’re off to the Misano GP via Switzerland and some of the Mille Migle routes. Some we’ve done before and some new. Home via Sienna, Florence, Mugello, Ducati factory, Fiorentina etc . . Only 12 days
but better than not getting it out and using it as designed . . . If you've made it to the end of this and read it all . . . well done !
Fantastic, Johno, a trip of great taste! I did most of the Swiss passes you mention in my 1966 330GTC last year and your post brought back great memories. This year I'm taking her through France and Italy, and I picked up some great tips from your post. I'll have to take in the Schlumpf museum, keep forgetting about that one. So thanks! That was a great read.
And hopefully next year, when the Griff is ready, I'll be able to finally take my TVR South! Can't wait. Previous owner of my Griff (Tuscan at the mo), Gerjo runs a hotel in the south of France (Lot region). Would be lovely to swing by and let him see the results.
Europe is unbeatable for roadtrips! I'm getting all itchy now - 28th of April I'm off again.
Onno
P.S. Forgot to mention: great pics!!
And hopefully next year, when the Griff is ready, I'll be able to finally take my TVR South! Can't wait. Previous owner of my Griff (Tuscan at the mo), Gerjo runs a hotel in the south of France (Lot region). Would be lovely to swing by and let him see the results.
Europe is unbeatable for roadtrips! I'm getting all itchy now - 28th of April I'm off again.
Onno
P.S. Forgot to mention: great pics!!
Edited by JazzyO on Monday 15th February 06:10
What a great write-up Johno, and how gutted am I (again) that I just couldn't afford the time off work to come with you.
Another time maybe.
If I can get half as good pictures as you took on my trip to southern Spain this year I'll be very happy. Some fantastic shots in there mate, I hope you have some printed and on your wall - give me a shout if not
Another time maybe.
If I can get half as good pictures as you took on my trip to southern Spain this year I'll be very happy. Some fantastic shots in there mate, I hope you have some printed and on your wall - give me a shout if not
Great travel blog Johno and timely. Have just started planning a tour for this summer as a follow-on from the Le Mans classic. I did a tour through alpine Italy, Bavaria, Austria and Germany on a motorbike a few years ago but this will be first time in a car. I'll be starting from my sisters place near Albi. Have drawn a first-cut route back to Le Havre by way of Ales, Nimes, Avignon, Gap, Briancon, top half of the Routes des Alpes to Thonon-les-Bains, Bourg-en-Bresse, Macon, Moulins, Orleans and Chartes. Decided to avoid the Cote D'Azur in July! Also plan to steer clear of Lyon and below as likely to be very busy at that time of the year.
I have no idea how long it will take - not that I will be under any pressure of time (a benefit of early retirement)! Autoroute calls it 2.5 days driving avoiding autoroutes. Needless to say I will want to do some sightseeing and stops for photo opps. Have thought about the Tarn valley road as it sounds like terrific scenery. Approx how long did it take end to end?
Another question - did you pretty much camp at the side of the road? I'm not planning to book anything other than the ferry out. Will have a tent and will look for hotels en route when/if needed.
Any suggestions/advice would be welcome.
I have no idea how long it will take - not that I will be under any pressure of time (a benefit of early retirement)! Autoroute calls it 2.5 days driving avoiding autoroutes. Needless to say I will want to do some sightseeing and stops for photo opps. Have thought about the Tarn valley road as it sounds like terrific scenery. Approx how long did it take end to end?
Another question - did you pretty much camp at the side of the road? I'm not planning to book anything other than the ferry out. Will have a tent and will look for hotels en route when/if needed.
Any suggestions/advice would be welcome.
To do the whole tarn with a few stops for photos etc I reckon it's a couple of hours, no more really. The better driving is definitely the northern end and it's also much quiter as it's a little less scenic.
We booked all our stops. One think I've learnt doing long tours on the continent is when we've got 3500+ miles to cover is that we want to know where we're staying. The reason being that sometimes the day doesn't work out as you want, the weathers crud, the Mrs is moaning whatever the reason, having a distinct destination and mapping the Tom Tom route to it's front door/gate means no more mucking about then necessary. We've been caught out before thinking, oh yeah, no problem, we'll find somewhere to stay only to draw a blank and then have the grief of finding somewhere at the end of a long day etc when you just want to wind down.
We booked all of our campsite through http://www.eurocampings.co.uk/en/europe/ last year and all but one for this years tour.
Don't get me wrong, we change our plans, but we've normally got an idea of where we're heading for and make sure there's somewhere to stay. Being able to get online on the move these days makes life soo much easier.
Also, depending on routes etc we tend to find places to stay as they suit the route we want to do or are near something we want to get too. Booking before hand allows us to fine tune the route so there's minimum navigation to do on the move, it's all planned. I then run of directions for the Mrs to follow if she wants to so she knows where abouts we are etc . . Without the need to navigate she get's the full benefits of being able to view the scenery and check before I overtake
www.alpineroads.com is certainly the best site I've used for finding great driving roads and is worth looking at in detail. I plan everything in Autoroute and then use http://www.benichou-software.com/ .itnConv to convert the autoroute files into Tom Tom .itn files. You can also use .ITNConv to plan using Tom Tom maps, Michelin Maps, Google maps and Yahoo . . . I tend to map in google, then have a look at it in Michelin and double check it in Tom Tom. It really takes time to get routes that don't go wrong and take in every curve you want to take in, but it really means we get to drive and see evrything and never needed to look at a map in 3750 last year It just makes it even more relaxing.
I load each day into the Tom Tom, then each morning just load up that days itinerary and head on out . . I'll often have alternatives as well depending on weather, time etc . . Yes it's a bit anal, but then you really relax and get to go everywhere you want to go . .
I'm also so anal to load all the routes and stops etc into a spreadsheet to analyse driving time as it's easy to plan huge days and then have no time for stops, lunch, photos and it means it's less enjoyable.
Here's the autoroute version of this years . . .
We booked all our stops. One think I've learnt doing long tours on the continent is when we've got 3500+ miles to cover is that we want to know where we're staying. The reason being that sometimes the day doesn't work out as you want, the weathers crud, the Mrs is moaning whatever the reason, having a distinct destination and mapping the Tom Tom route to it's front door/gate means no more mucking about then necessary. We've been caught out before thinking, oh yeah, no problem, we'll find somewhere to stay only to draw a blank and then have the grief of finding somewhere at the end of a long day etc when you just want to wind down.
We booked all of our campsite through http://www.eurocampings.co.uk/en/europe/ last year and all but one for this years tour.
Don't get me wrong, we change our plans, but we've normally got an idea of where we're heading for and make sure there's somewhere to stay. Being able to get online on the move these days makes life soo much easier.
Also, depending on routes etc we tend to find places to stay as they suit the route we want to do or are near something we want to get too. Booking before hand allows us to fine tune the route so there's minimum navigation to do on the move, it's all planned. I then run of directions for the Mrs to follow if she wants to so she knows where abouts we are etc . . Without the need to navigate she get's the full benefits of being able to view the scenery and check before I overtake
www.alpineroads.com is certainly the best site I've used for finding great driving roads and is worth looking at in detail. I plan everything in Autoroute and then use http://www.benichou-software.com/ .itnConv to convert the autoroute files into Tom Tom .itn files. You can also use .ITNConv to plan using Tom Tom maps, Michelin Maps, Google maps and Yahoo . . . I tend to map in google, then have a look at it in Michelin and double check it in Tom Tom. It really takes time to get routes that don't go wrong and take in every curve you want to take in, but it really means we get to drive and see evrything and never needed to look at a map in 3750 last year
It just makes it even more relaxing.I load each day into the Tom Tom, then each morning just load up that days itinerary and head on out . . I'll often have alternatives as well depending on weather, time etc . . Yes it's a bit anal, but then you really relax and get to go everywhere you want to go . .
I'm also so anal to load all the routes and stops etc into a spreadsheet to analyse driving time as it's easy to plan huge days and then have no time for stops, lunch, photos and it means it's less enjoyable.
Here's the autoroute version of this years . . .
Johno said:
I'm also so anal to load all the routes and stops etc into a spreadsheet to analyse driving time as it's easy to plan huge days and then have no time for stops, lunch, photos and it means it's less enjoyable.
I do this too but I use Google maps. I find it is essential to have a good idea of driving time, if you're rushing it is a day wasted because you'll be all stressed. I also find it is nice to figure out nice roads in advance, gives you some pre-holiday fun.One thing that is very useful with Google Maps is that you can save your maps and then share them with other members in your party. You (or they) can put in icons, add in weblinks to the hotel, all that sort of stuff. It's really very cool.
Onno
Thanks for your response Johno - some good tips and food for thought. I still like the idea of going off into the unknown (i.e. no planned/booked overnite stops) - maybe the adventurer spirit in me, although I take your point about having somewhere to aim for - especially at end of a long day behind the wheel when it can be a faf finding somewhere to stay, although I have always found locals to be very helpful in pointing out a suitable B&B, small hotel etc.
Thanks also for the info on route mapping and file conversion - that will be very useful.
Thanks also for the info on route mapping and file conversion - that will be very useful.
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