Calais to Tuscany - route ideas?

[smack]

I am going to Tuscany at the start of June, and looking for a route. Looking at the map, I guess there is 2 general options, via Germany, or France. I am looking to take 2 or 3 days to get there (Solo), and 2 days to get back as I will have parents on the return leg (on a conference/holiday, and don't live in Europe), so can get dad to do some driving.

A run down via Germany would mean a stint of Autobahning (got to get that speed limit removed to hack of the germans ) Have driven in Germany many times, but I still get a kick from it! From memory the run down from Austria to Venora was quite nice when I did it 7 years ago.

Return route must be France - French food and wine = happy parents.

Last year I rode around the Alps south of Geneva, so know that area quite well, so could use some of the Alp passes I like. Only problem would be one mother moaning in the back of the car about wizzing around corners and the effects on her.

So, anyone done it? Via Germany - recommended? Got any routes they recommend?

Cheers,

Stuart

[ehasler]

I've just done this myself. I went down via Geneva and the Mont Blanc tunnel, and came back via Lake Como, the St Gotthard tunnel and Basel then through France via Reims. Both routes were mostly motorway, however the Geneva/Mt Blanc route was much less busy (sat queing for the St Gotthard tunnel for 30+ minutes alone), although less scenic.

I'm also doing the same trip again later in the year, and this time will be heading into Switzerland via Dijon/Geneva then spending a day playing on most of the Alpine passes around Andermatt before taking the scenic route to Tuscany via Lugarno and Milan.

One thing to bear in mind is that some of the Alpine passes may still not be open - quite a few still appeared to be closed when I drove back last weekend.

ETA, if you want food and wine, then heading back via Geneva means you can take in Beaune, Dijon, then Reims which are great for wine and food!

Edited by ehasler on Tuesday 13th May 12:53

[smack]

ehasler said:

I've just done this myself. I went down via Geneva and the Mont Blanc tunnel, and came back via Lake Como, the St Gotthard tunnel and Basel then through France via Reims. Both routes were mostly motorway, however the Geneva/Mt Blanc route was much less busy (sat queing for the St Gotthard tunnel for 30+ minutes alone), although less scenic.

I'm also doing the same trip again later in the year, and this time will be heading into Switzerland via Dijon/Geneva then spending a day playing on most of the Alpine passes around Andermatt before taking the scenic route to Tuscany via Lugarno and Milan.

One thing to bear in mind is that some of the Alpine passes may still not be open - quite a few still appeared to be closed when I drove back last weekend.


ETA, if you want food and wine, then heading back via Geneva means you can take in Beaune, Dijon, then Reims which are great for wine and food!

Thanks for the reply ehasler, which has given me a few ideas. I did the Mont Blanc tunnel last year, because it was getting late in the day, the temperature dropped (on a bike), and light fading, and my planned route a little to ambitious, so took the the tunnel over to Courmayeur for shower, pizza, and lots of wine Besides, the novelty of the tunnel ment I had to give it a try at some point. A better option if you have time, is Petit St Bernard (I like all the tank traps on the Italian / French border! And nice views of Mont Blanc), Cormet de Roseland (One of my favorites on a bike, would be great in a car), and then the D218B to Flumet (two words - Shere bliss!) That is part of my planed run back, and staying on Lake Annecy - I have a nice place I have stayed at twice during the last trip, great food, owner puts up with me calling ahead and asking if he would keep the kitchen open for me, right on the lake with a jetty.
It is quite a bit south for the next pass.
I know most of the high passes usually open up around the start of June, so it will be hit or miss if my plan works.

Going south via Lugarno look interesting, which roads are you talking about?

[ehasler]

Thanks for the tips for the route via Flumet - I might give that a go next time!

The route I've planned via Lugarno starts in Grindelwald where we're staying, and you then have a selection of passes to play on just to the East (Furkapass, Sustenpass, St Gotthard etc...). Then we're heading SW through Oberwald towards Brig, and then heading S towards Domodossola, and then E towards Locarno, and then S to Lugano.