Euro Trip advice please (What Car thread of the Roads forum)
Discussion
Having read countless threads on road trips, as well as having done a couple of stressfull ones in the past myself, I am now planning a more relaxed run for this summer.
It needs to be passenger friendly as SWMBO will be along with me. The trip needs to be done in just 9 days (2 weekends, just 5 days of holiday from work) but I don't want to spend the whole time behind the wheel.
So my current plan is:
Sat: Drive from London to Sarnen/Interlaken
Sunday: Playtime with the Grimselpass, Furkapass, Oberalpass, up to Davos to do the run to Stelvio. Then down to Lake Como to stay for 3 nights.
Wednesday: Leave lake Como and head to Monaco/Nice/Cannes for an overnight stop.
Thursday: Leave for Paris, via the Route Napoleon. From here the plan's fuzzy - may just go straight to Paris, or maybe stop somewhere midway for an overnighter - suggestions please as I don't know France that well.
Sunday: Head home.
The questions I have are:
For the 2nd day in Switzerland I've planned a route which runs from Davos to Bormio, but doesn't bother with the rest of the Stelvio and instead heads south to Como. Am I mad to miss out the main hairpin section of Stelvio? Is the run from Davos to Bormio the best bit?
Where can we stay around the Monaco/Nice/Cannes region without it costing the earth? I know that's a ridiculous thing to ask, but we're not loaded and cheap but nice is best.
Should we just head straight for Paris from Monaco/Nice/Cannes (via the Route Napoleon)in a single day, or would a stop midway be advisable? If so, where is best to stay? I'm up for quiet and picturesque rather than urban.
Looking at that route, are there any other places that we should pass by?
DC
Full Route:
Alps Day:
It needs to be passenger friendly as SWMBO will be along with me. The trip needs to be done in just 9 days (2 weekends, just 5 days of holiday from work) but I don't want to spend the whole time behind the wheel.
So my current plan is:
Sat: Drive from London to Sarnen/Interlaken
Sunday: Playtime with the Grimselpass, Furkapass, Oberalpass, up to Davos to do the run to Stelvio. Then down to Lake Como to stay for 3 nights.
Wednesday: Leave lake Como and head to Monaco/Nice/Cannes for an overnight stop.
Thursday: Leave for Paris, via the Route Napoleon. From here the plan's fuzzy - may just go straight to Paris, or maybe stop somewhere midway for an overnighter - suggestions please as I don't know France that well.
Sunday: Head home.
The questions I have are:
For the 2nd day in Switzerland I've planned a route which runs from Davos to Bormio, but doesn't bother with the rest of the Stelvio and instead heads south to Como. Am I mad to miss out the main hairpin section of Stelvio? Is the run from Davos to Bormio the best bit?
Where can we stay around the Monaco/Nice/Cannes region without it costing the earth? I know that's a ridiculous thing to ask, but we're not loaded and cheap but nice is best.
Should we just head straight for Paris from Monaco/Nice/Cannes (via the Route Napoleon)in a single day, or would a stop midway be advisable? If so, where is best to stay? I'm up for quiet and picturesque rather than urban.
Looking at that route, are there any other places that we should pass by?
DC
Full Route:
Alps Day:
Edited by DavidCane on Friday 15th May 00:49
For your journey North - how about considering this PH property: http://www.chateaudecharly.com/
For the South Coast, consider staying a few km inland - price drop big time (we stayed in Villeneuve Loubet for instance).
For the South Coast, consider staying a few km inland - price drop big time (we stayed in Villeneuve Loubet for instance).
Thanks, those both look like great tips. The Chateau could be just the trick 
One question on timings - it looks like this trip will either happen in mid August, or end of Sept/start of October. Will the passes be open in the first two weeks of October?
One question on timings - it looks like this trip will either happen in mid August, or end of Sept/start of October. Will the passes be open in the first two weeks of October?
Edited by DavidCane on Friday 15th May 23:47
Definately worth driving the Stelvio, you will be so close. Aswell as the road the view to the east from the top is amazing. You would be hitting it midweek which is a good thing, I drove it on a saturday last june and it was busy, lots of bikes and cylists.
From Bormio my suggestion would be to head South East on the SS300 towards Santa Caterina Valfurva and then on to Ponte di Legno. It is more scenic than heading straight to lake Como and you get to hit the Gavia Pass which is stunning. You can rejoin the main road to Lake Como, only missing a few tunnels just west of Bormio.
Below are a couple of photos taken on the Gavia Pass. Have a great trip.
From Bormio my suggestion would be to head South East on the SS300 towards Santa Caterina Valfurva and then on to Ponte di Legno. It is more scenic than heading straight to lake Como and you get to hit the Gavia Pass which is stunning. You can rejoin the main road to Lake Como, only missing a few tunnels just west of Bormio.
Below are a couple of photos taken on the Gavia Pass. Have a great trip.
Edited by Jack Butcher on Wednesday 20th May 10:51
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