A trip home in the 4C...
Discussion
Guys I’m looking at making the trip in April over to Italy in the 4C and was interested in your experiences of doing the trip down that way. I have a week to complete a trip through France, Switzerland and then on into Italy with plans to visit the Alfa museum and then down to Ferrari too.
So, any tips and travel plans you can share ?
So, any tips and travel plans you can share ?
Edited by Moley RUFC on Friday 14th February 17:37
Edited by Moley RUFC on Friday 14th February 17:38
I’ve done that many times.
The Schlumpf collection in Mulhouse, France is well worth a visit. Just a few miles from the Swiss border. The French National Railway museum is also in Mulhouse and comes highly recommended.
Alfa in Milan is a good place to stop too.
When in Maranello, don’t forget the (superior) Enzo Ferrari Museum as well as the Ferrari Museum. You can get a deal that allows entry to both in a 48hr period.
Also in the area, Lamborghini and Pagani. Both small museums but worth a look if you’re at a loose end.
Ducati museum is very good. If you book in advance there’s a very ‘hands on’ factory tour option too.
The old Bugatti factory in Campogalliano is a decent way to spend a few hours. You’ll have to visit first and call the security guard who will meet you a day or so later for a personal tour.
On your way home, you’re not doing many more miles to visit the Mercedes museum in Stuttgart which will blow away all of the above. It’s amazing.
Porsche are on the other side of town and that’s very good. Great restaurant on the top floor or nice cafe on the ground floor.
Enjoy!
The Schlumpf collection in Mulhouse, France is well worth a visit. Just a few miles from the Swiss border. The French National Railway museum is also in Mulhouse and comes highly recommended.
Alfa in Milan is a good place to stop too.
When in Maranello, don’t forget the (superior) Enzo Ferrari Museum as well as the Ferrari Museum. You can get a deal that allows entry to both in a 48hr period.
Also in the area, Lamborghini and Pagani. Both small museums but worth a look if you’re at a loose end.
Ducati museum is very good. If you book in advance there’s a very ‘hands on’ factory tour option too.
The old Bugatti factory in Campogalliano is a decent way to spend a few hours. You’ll have to visit first and call the security guard who will meet you a day or so later for a personal tour.
On your way home, you’re not doing many more miles to visit the Mercedes museum in Stuttgart which will blow away all of the above. It’s amazing.
Porsche are on the other side of town and that’s very good. Great restaurant on the top floor or nice cafe on the ground floor.
Enjoy!
In April I think most / all of the passes over the Alps will be closed. The Brenner is open all year, but that's quite a big detour through Austria.
What do you consider to be home for the 4C? The Alfa Factory or the Maserati Factory?
Lake Como is a lovely place to stay when you're there, and it's about 1 hours drive from the Alfa Museum. I can recommend the Hotel Villa Marie in Tremezzo - it's not flash or swanky, but it's very nice and comfortable. Make sure to get one of the lake view rooms in the main building.
As for the route, I would consider keeping slightly east and going through Belgium & Luxembourg, taking in a corner of France and a corner of Germany. 6 countries in one day should be achievable. Petrol is cheaper in Luxembourg, but with the size of the fuel tank in the 4C I don't think that will matter. I did this route from Piacenza to just short of Brussels in one day in a 1982 Alfasud Sprint, so in the 4C it should be a doddle.
On the way back, you could mix things up a bit and drive the Route Napoleon. Drive down to Genoa, along the coast road (tunnels and viaducts) and then head north somewhere around Nice.
What do you consider to be home for the 4C? The Alfa Factory or the Maserati Factory?
Lake Como is a lovely place to stay when you're there, and it's about 1 hours drive from the Alfa Museum. I can recommend the Hotel Villa Marie in Tremezzo - it's not flash or swanky, but it's very nice and comfortable. Make sure to get one of the lake view rooms in the main building.
As for the route, I would consider keeping slightly east and going through Belgium & Luxembourg, taking in a corner of France and a corner of Germany. 6 countries in one day should be achievable. Petrol is cheaper in Luxembourg, but with the size of the fuel tank in the 4C I don't think that will matter. I did this route from Piacenza to just short of Brussels in one day in a 1982 Alfasud Sprint, so in the 4C it should be a doddle.
On the way back, you could mix things up a bit and drive the Route Napoleon. Drive down to Genoa, along the coast road (tunnels and viaducts) and then head north somewhere around Nice.
Thanks both. I’m probably looking to change to May half terms now so hopefully most routes will be open?
Regards home - you’re right technically I should be taking it to Maserati but I’d like to see the Alfa museum and then across to Ferrari.
Regards the route and the timescales (leave home on a Saturday and be back home the following Saturday) what would you suggest is the best route? Planned to take the Eurotunnel (probably in a lorry space for extra width).
Regards home - you’re right technically I should be taking it to Maserati but I’d like to see the Alfa museum and then across to Ferrari.
Regards the route and the timescales (leave home on a Saturday and be back home the following Saturday) what would you suggest is the best route? Planned to take the Eurotunnel (probably in a lorry space for extra width).
Try plugging your reg number into the Eurotunnel booking site - it might automatically allocate you the special carriage based on the car. It did for me - although not with a 4C. You can do this without actually making a booking.
As for journey there and back - it's entirely your call. You could do it in one day - but it wouldn't be that much fun. You'd be better off taking 2 days to get there and 2 days to get back. If you do the Route Napoleon coming back, then Reims (or Epernay) is probably a good place to break the journey.
As for journey there and back - it's entirely your call. You could do it in one day - but it wouldn't be that much fun. You'd be better off taking 2 days to get there and 2 days to get back. If you do the Route Napoleon coming back, then Reims (or Epernay) is probably a good place to break the journey.
OP mentioned May half term ,if you can go a couple of weeks earlier you could go to the Mille Miglia starting in Brescia on the 13th,
which isn't too far from Milan.
I've been to it 5 times ,it is THAT good.
You've almost got too much for 1 week now with all those museums already mentioned.
BTW ,there are 2 Lamborghini museums in a short distance from each other.
which isn't too far from Milan.
I've been to it 5 times ,it is THAT good.
You've almost got too much for 1 week now with all those museums already mentioned.
BTW ,there are 2 Lamborghini museums in a short distance from each other.
So..... plan is as follows I think.
Saturday am eurotunnel to Calais. Calais to somewhere near Strasbourg (5 hour 300 miles) and then Sunday down to Como (4 hours 260 miles) staying at the hotel recommended by Omniflow (great shout, looks amazing) for 3 nights visiting various hotels before travelling back on a route not yet decided....
Saturday am eurotunnel to Calais. Calais to somewhere near Strasbourg (5 hour 300 miles) and then Sunday down to Como (4 hours 260 miles) staying at the hotel recommended by Omniflow (great shout, looks amazing) for 3 nights visiting various hotels before travelling back on a route not yet decided....
If you are staying in Como area for the night ,I suggest Alfa Romeo museum at opening time and this should give you sufficient time to
get down to Maranello and Modena for the Ferrari museums .
I took a picture of all the columns in the Alfa museum in one room with the potted history of the early Alfa race team
drivers on them and then I had to delete them as memory card was full.
It is an excellent display of cars.
get down to Maranello and Modena for the Ferrari museums .
I took a picture of all the columns in the Alfa museum in one room with the potted history of the early Alfa race team
drivers on them and then I had to delete them as memory card was full.
It is an excellent display of cars.
Depending how close you are to Dover you could go across Friday night and stay near Calais ,
Re the tunnel I was once told I could only go in the normal carriage and I did scuff an alloy which eurotunnel refused to take responsibility for
I’ve been to Italy in mine a few times and it’s a great trip.
If you get to Modena try and go to the Montana restaurant for lunch , it’s where the Ferrari people and celebs go , it’s a great Italian in a trading estate and the food is rather good http://www.ristorantemontana.it/eng/locale.htm
You will need to book ahead of going to be sure to get in
Re the tunnel I was once told I could only go in the normal carriage and I did scuff an alloy which eurotunnel refused to take responsibility for
I’ve been to Italy in mine a few times and it’s a great trip.
If you get to Modena try and go to the Montana restaurant for lunch , it’s where the Ferrari people and celebs go , it’s a great Italian in a trading estate and the food is rather good http://www.ristorantemontana.it/eng/locale.htm
You will need to book ahead of going to be sure to get in
Edited by Stuart J on Saturday 15th February 18:44
Stuart J said:
Depending how close you are to Dover you could go across Friday night and stay near Calais ,
Re the tunnel I was once told I could only go in the normal carriage and I did scuff an alloy which eurotunnel refused to take responsibility for
I’ve been to Italy in mine a few times and it’s a great trip.
If you get to Modena try and go to the Montana restaurant for lunch , it’s where the Ferrari people and celebs go , it’s a great Italian in a trading estate and the food is rather good http://www.ristorantemontana.it/eng/locale.htm
You will need to book ahead of going to be sure to get in
That restaurant is on the list! Re the Eurotunnel when entering my number plate it has allocated me into a single carriage due to the car being ‘exceptionally low or wide’ .Re the tunnel I was once told I could only go in the normal carriage and I did scuff an alloy which eurotunnel refused to take responsibility for
I’ve been to Italy in mine a few times and it’s a great trip.
If you get to Modena try and go to the Montana restaurant for lunch , it’s where the Ferrari people and celebs go , it’s a great Italian in a trading estate and the food is rather good http://www.ristorantemontana.it/eng/locale.htm
You will need to book ahead of going to be sure to get in
Edited by Stuart J on Saturday 15th February 18:44
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