Euro driving trip...

[hondafanatic]

Hi all,

I’ve just bought a C63 amg estate and thought what better use aside from my 80 mile a day commute grind would be a blast across some of Europe.

I’ve have driven across Europe many times before but always on a car rally or for some reason against the clock. This time I’m planning on taking it easier so would appreciate any views/opinions/recommendations.

I’ve booked the first two nights and have a rough idea of the following three but nothing booked yet...

So ferry from Dover to Dunkirk arrive at 3 pm.
Day 1 - Dunkirk to Epernay (hotel booked)
Day 2 - Epernay to Lucerne (hotel booked)
Day 3 - Lucerne to around Lake Como. Any suggestions ideas??
Day 4 - Lake Como for the day?
Or
Day 4 - Lake Como to Lausanne via St Bernard Pass (I’m kinda fixed on the St Bernard Pass as I’ve done it a few times and love it but I’m open to suggestions)
Day 5 or 6 - Lausanne to Reims
Day 6 or 7 - Reims to Dunkirk to Lancaster.

Aside from needing an oil tanker to refuel me every 20 yards does anyone have any ideas to add or subtract? Is it too much. My partner hasn’t done a road trip like this and as I said, all my previous experiences have been very fast blasts to reach as many countries in a few day (nine in five days for example).

We really enjoy wine so I was aiming to find a nice vineyard that maybe offers accommodation so I can taste as well... but searching for them brings up odd looking websites that look like they’ve been created on FrontPage in late90s.

So I’m all ears/eyes on how my plan is or what I need to change or if anyone knows a nice place to wine taste and sleep...

We’re not worried about how nice the rooms are as long as they’re clean. When we arrive at a place we’ll be dumping bags and straight off for food/wine/people watching so the room is just somewhere to sleep.

[Yipper]

Dolomites and Monaco are much better.

[hondafanatic]

My geography might be well out here so apologies in advance... you’re suggesting north east Italy and then down to the south of France? In a relaxed manner?

Or have I misunderstood?

[Deesee]

hondafanatic said:

Hi all,

I’ve just bought a C63 amg estate and thought what better use aside from my 80 mile a day commute grind would be a blast across some of Europe.

I’ve have driven across Europe many times before but always on a car rally or for some reason against the clock. This time I’m planning on taking it easier so would appreciate any views/opinions/recommendations.

I’ve booked the first two nights and have a rough idea of the following three but nothing booked yet...

So ferry from Dover to Dunkirk arrive at 3 pm.
Day 1 - Dunkirk to Epernay (hotel booked)
Day 2 - Epernay to Lucerne (hotel booked)
Day 3 - Lucerne to around Lake Como. Any suggestions ideas??
Day 4 - Lake Como for the day?
Or
Day 4 - Lake Como to Lausanne via St Bernard Pass (I’m kinda fixed on the St Bernard Pass as I’ve done it a few times and love it but I’m open to suggestions)
Day 5 or 6 - Lausanne to Reims
Day 6 or 7 - Reims to Dunkirk to Lancaster.

Aside from needing an oil tanker to refuel me every 20 yards does anyone have any ideas to add or subtract? Is it too much. My partner hasn’t done a road trip like this and as I said, all my previous experiences have been very fast blasts to reach as many countries in a few day (nine in five days for example).

We really enjoy wine so I was aiming to find a nice vineyard that maybe offers accommodation so I can taste as well... but searching for them brings up odd looking websites that look like they’ve been created on FrontPage in late90s.

So I’m all ears/eyes on how my plan is or what I need to change or if anyone knows a nice place to wine taste and sleep...

We’re not worried about how nice the rooms are as long as they’re clean. When we arrive at a place we’ll be dumping bags and straight off for food/wine/people watching so the room is just somewhere to sleep.

Looks Good,

Would look to spend an extra day in Lucerne.. V.NICE...

Como to Lausanne, you can go via Simplon (E62 on Map), the region here is the wine region for the Swiss (im told), you also have the thermal spas at Brig, drove Jura to Garda last summer (on way to holidays), easiest way through Switzerland to date, with amazing views.

With your car I would certainly look to have a blast up the German A5 to North Black Forest, Baden Baden, or across to Strasbourg, most of it is "unrestricted" with only a few "suggested" 130kph stretches give it a chance to stretch its legs, and get some 100 octane fuel..

Sounds daft but make sure your recovery/breakdown is very comprehensive! including car return to the UK.

Tolltickets.com so you can pre order Vignettes, and Radar Toll Passes for the Auto tolls.

We tend to book hotels as we go rather than pre book, as you may wish to stay longer, or you may have bad weather coming in where a two/three hour blast somewhere else could result in a better stay.

Have a great time!

[hondafanatic]

Deesee said:

Looks Good,

Would look to spend an extra day in Lucerne.. V.NICE...

Como to Lausanne, you can go via Simplon (E62 on Map), the region here is the wine region for the Swiss (im told), you also have the thermal spas at Brig, drove Jura to Garda last summer (on way to holidays), easiest way through Switzerland to date, with amazing views.

With your car I would certainly look to have a blast up the German A5 to North Black Forest, Baden Baden, or across to Strasbourg, most of it is "unrestricted" with only a few "suggested" 130kph stretches give it a chance to stretch its legs, and get some 100 octane fuel..

Sounds daft but make sure your recovery/breakdown is very comprehensive! including car return to the UK.

Tolltickets.com so you can pre order Vignettes, and Radar Toll Passes for the Auto tolls.

We tend to book hotels as we go rather than pre book, as you may wish to stay longer, or you may have bad weather coming in where a two/three hour blast somewhere else could result in a better stay.

Have a great time!

Many thanks for the reply

Totally forgot about pre-ordering the toll roads! Top tip!

I'll have a look on the maps at your suggestions too.

[Yipper]

hondafanatic said:

My geography might be well out here so apologies in advance... you’re suggesting north east Italy and then down to the south of France? In a relaxed manner?

Or have I misunderstood?

Yes.

Drive down the limitless autobahns to Munich, hop across the super-smooth roads of the Austrian Alps to northeast Italy and its perfect twisties (Dolomites), pop across to better-than-you-think Monaco, up through the French Alps, and back to the UK.

[audidoody]

Any of these appeal?

https://www.tomtom.com/en_gb/routes/category/bestm...

[alfabristol]

Definitely give the car a good squirt in Germany. Did 130mph in my Jag XF (yes I know -but it was good enough for me !!!).
Lake Como is beautiful, but the roads aren't brilliant.
If you are a Petrolheads don't forget the Collection Schlumpf (bugatti collection) near Mulhouse, and the Rheims-Gueux former racing circuit near Rheims for a burn up the home straight past the abandoned Pitts and Tribune.
Have a super trip !

[hondafanatic]

Thanks again for the replies. I’ll certianly do a bit more research.

I’ve done the whole autobahn thing (topped out in an ep3 and fd2) and to be honest it’s not what I’m looking for on this trip.

I’m more concerned that I’m still squeezing too much mileage into the trip that it won’t be relaxing if that makes sense? My gf hasn’t seen the Swiss/Italian border which I think is amazing. I do like Lucerne and Epernay for a bit of fizz tasting. She wants to see Lake Como. The rest we’re open to.

She’s never done a driving tour and I don’t want to put her off by setting off at 8am and arriving at 8pm after going flat out and not enjoying anywhere...and thanks for reply Yipper but on this occasion it’s definitly not what I’m after. Plus having done Monaco a few times it doesn’t do anything for me apart from the drive into and out of the place.

Does anyone know of a vineyard/BB to try on the way back up? Do they exist?

Edited by hondafanatic on Tuesday 20th February 09:11

[f1ten]

Davos and stelvio pass via Bormio a must

[hoegaardenruls]

The route you have on the continent looks pretty relaxed - the main slog will be from Lancaster to Dover and back. I'd suggest you would need an extra 2-3 days at least if you were to head towards Davos, Stelvio, or the Dolomites, so I've held off a couple of recommendations there..

To give you time on the way out (and in Epernay), I'd consider breaking the journey before Dover, but possibly use the tunnel for an earlier crossing.

The tip for tolltickets is a good one, although you can now register directly for a French (Sanef) toll tag, but it will save you a stop at the border in Switzerland if you pick up the vignette beforehand.

One route I'd consider after Lusanne, would be to head north from Nyon towards Les Rousses/Champagnole towards Dijon on the way home - much more enjoyable than the Swiss motorway/Autoroute.

[hondafanatic]

Thanks for the feedback...I'll check out those French places you mentioned

[havoc]

hondafanatic said:

Hi all,

I’ve just bought a C63 amg estate...

Git! That is all...




Back on-topic, we enjoyed the villages above the Cote d'Azur, and driving around the Alps in general was stunningly beautiful and there was always somewhere to stop-off at.
- From an overnight in Lyon we did Grenoble (st traffic) / Briancon / Embrun (lovely moules/frites for lunch watching the mountains most definitely not-go-by) / Digne in one day before arriving in St Paul de Vence.
- Second year we did an overnight in northern France before doing Switzerland (Sustenpass / Grimselpass + 1 other great road) / Lugano (st traffic) arrive mid-afternoon at Como (Tremezzo).

Both were two fairly long days driving with a few days 'static' once we got there. You may want to break it up a little more.

[hondafanatic]

havoc said:

hondafanatic said:

Hi all,

I’ve just bought a C63 amg estate...

Git! That is all...

Says the man with an NSX

havoc said:

Back on-topic, we enjoyed the villages above the Cote d'Azur, and driving around the Alps in general was stunningly beautiful and there was always somewhere to stop-off at.
- From an overnight in Lyon we did Grenoble (st traffic) / Briancon / Embrun (lovely moules/frites for lunch watching the mountains most definitely not-go-by) / Digne in one day before arriving in St Paul de Vence.
- Second year we did an overnight in northern France before doing Switzerland (Sustenpass / Grimselpass + 1 other great road) / Lugano (st traffic) arrive mid-afternoon at Como (Tremezzo).

Both were two fairly long days driving with a few days 'static' once we got there. You may want to break it up a little more.

I was thinking it needs breaking up a bit more...I'd like to be able to split the days up by stopping for lunch and pausing for the odd picture etc.

Like I say, the only things we've got booked are the ferry, Epernay and Lucerne. Maybe we don't head for Como and stay more within France?

Any strong opinions on where best to see the Alps etc for a first timer (i.e. the gf)? I was thinking maybe Schilthorn as I've been up to where they filmed the James Bond film a couple of times and enjoyed it.

I think I'm coming across a bit vague but it's been nearly ten years since I've done a Euro tour and even then it was a case of following the Sat Nav with preplanned destinations. I think I've forgotten most of it and want to make sure the gf has a good introduction to this kind of holiday and wants to do it again.

[Quikcurl]

Deesee said:

We tend to book hotels as we go rather than pre book, as you may wish to stay longer, or you may have bad weather coming in where a two/three hour blast somewhere else could result in a better stay.

Yes, I'd echo this - if it were me, I'd see how your partner was feeling about another day in the car when you get to Lucerne or Como and make a decision then based on either heading further away, staying put for a day, or even heading back a bit to reduce the travel time for the remaining days. It sounds like you're well used to long days in the car, but she may not be so keen!

That said, Lake Como is lovely, go there!

Hopefully whatever you do, she'll enjoy it and, like us, you'll start planning the next trip before you even get home

[hondafanatic]

Quikcurl said:

Deesee said:

We tend to book hotels as we go rather than pre book, as you may wish to stay longer, or you may have bad weather coming in where a two/three hour blast somewhere else could result in a better stay.

Yes, I'd echo this - if it were me, I'd see how your partner was feeling about another day in the car when you get to Lucerne or Como and make a decision then based on either heading further away, staying put for a day, or even heading back a bit to reduce the travel time for the remaining days. It sounds like you're well used to long days in the car, but she may not be so keen!

That said, Lake Como is lovely, go there!

Hopefully whatever you do, she'll enjoy it and, like us, you'll start planning the next trip before you even get home

Good thinking Batman! I'll keep it flexible and leave it up to her based on how she's feeling about the whole thing...like I have a choice

[Deesee]

One other small suggestion if I may!

Have a look at German, Dutch etc bank holidays, they have a tendency to travel south through Switzerland with boats and trailers on these weekends and clog up the filling stations and tunnels!

[hondafanatic]

Deesee said:

One other small suggestion if I may!

Have a look at German, Dutch etc bank holidays, they have a tendency to travel south through Switzerland with boats and trailers on these weekends and clog up the filling stations and tunnels!

Good idea! Thanks

[Vaud]

Deesee said:

Como to Lausanne, you can go via Simplon (E62 on Map), the region here is the wine region for the Swiss (im told), you also have the thermal spas at Brig, drove Jura to Garda last summer (on way to holidays), easiest way through Switzerland to date, with amazing views.

Sion is a very nice town.

Also baths at Ovronnaz (high above the valley), Bains de Saillon or Leukerbad.

[Deesee]

Vaud said:

Sion is a very nice town.

Also baths at Ovronnaz (high above the valley), Bains de Saillon or Leukerbad.

Sion indeed! V nice

Will have a look at the others, love a little detour for something quality!😎