European trip 2011
Discussion
A few friends and I are planning a european trip over the summer 
and I was wondering if anyone could recommend some must-see type places.
The few things we know that we want to see are:
A very very brief look at a route and we were considering something like: GOOGLE MAPS LINKY
We were also thinking about a mixture of camping at the 'ring and cheap hotels along the lines of Premier Classe and the F1 Chains. Does anyone have any other chains or cheap/basic but nice and clean hotels that we could use?
We have european breakdown cover, fire extinguishers, high-vis, bulb kits, first aid kits, the lot already from previous holidays in France. Anything else we might need?
ETA: when is the best time to go? Ideally it would be preferable to avoid masses of crowds etc.
Many thanks guys!!
and I was wondering if anyone could recommend some must-see type places.The few things we know that we want to see are:
- Nürburgring
- Stelvio
- Grimselpass (sp?)
- Munich
A very very brief look at a route and we were considering something like: GOOGLE MAPS LINKY
We were also thinking about a mixture of camping at the 'ring and cheap hotels along the lines of Premier Classe and the F1 Chains. Does anyone have any other chains or cheap/basic but nice and clean hotels that we could use?
We have european breakdown cover, fire extinguishers, high-vis, bulb kits, first aid kits, the lot already from previous holidays in France. Anything else we might need?
ETA: when is the best time to go? Ideally it would be preferable to avoid masses of crowds etc.
Many thanks guys!!
Edited by doodles19 on Saturday 28th May 13:40
Make sure someone has a smart phone of some kind and use trip advisor to find hotels. Don't prebook things and don't limit yourself to the F1s or Etaps (which are only marginally more expensive but have ensuites). They are pretty 'adequate' really.
IBIS hotels are 60-70E per night in most cities - not too bad split two ways.
I'd be inclined to use the same route as you to get through Northern France but have a stop in Colmar. It is a lovely place. IBIS is on the ring road and has underground parking.
You seem to be spending most of your time on motorways. Look for straightest paths. In France, many of these routes are still very fast. Look at the terrain and map views of Google Maps and keep in the hilly or green bits.
IBIS hotels are 60-70E per night in most cities - not too bad split two ways.
I'd be inclined to use the same route as you to get through Northern France but have a stop in Colmar. It is a lovely place. IBIS is on the ring road and has underground parking.
You seem to be spending most of your time on motorways. Look for straightest paths. In France, many of these routes are still very fast. Look at the terrain and map views of Google Maps and keep in the hilly or green bits.
Agreed with the comment above, stay clear of the French motorways where you can. It'll be cheaper than paying their tolls and the roads are actually quite fast. When I was over there last week we found it added no more than an hour to our days and was much more enjoyable than just sitting on the motorway.
I had my first experience of a Premiere Classe when I was there, and I don't think I'd bother again, could barely turn around in it and the shower and toilet all in one was a pain. I quite like the F1 really, they're cheap and clean when all you really need is a bed for the night. We used a couple of Etaps too, which were great. The Ibis we stayed at was very nice, but to be honest I'd rather save money with Etaps/F1s.
Given your route, you'd be silly not to stop off at the old Reims circuit just outside the village of Gueux, to the west of the town. Also, look at doing the route to Nurburg via Spa, it'll be about 10 minutes longer and the back roads between the two are good fun.
If it helps at all, this is the route I've just done, with the places of interest in red. The back roads between Dijon and Reims I would really recommend, but you don't seem to be going that way.
I had my first experience of a Premiere Classe when I was there, and I don't think I'd bother again, could barely turn around in it and the shower and toilet all in one was a pain. I quite like the F1 really, they're cheap and clean when all you really need is a bed for the night. We used a couple of Etaps too, which were great. The Ibis we stayed at was very nice, but to be honest I'd rather save money with Etaps/F1s.
Given your route, you'd be silly not to stop off at the old Reims circuit just outside the village of Gueux, to the west of the town. Also, look at doing the route to Nurburg via Spa, it'll be about 10 minutes longer and the back roads between the two are good fun.
If it helps at all, this is the route I've just done, with the places of interest in red. The back roads between Dijon and Reims I would really recommend, but you don't seem to be going that way.
If you do stop off at Rheims then head east on the D931. About 20 miles of straight roads with little traffic.
http://goo.gl/maps/aJ1V
Last year we were WOT for about ten mins!
http://goo.gl/maps/aJ1V
Last year we were WOT for about ten mins!
You could take a small detour and drive up the Rhein river between Frankfurt and Koblenz. Its a beautiful part of the world.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...
I agree with Above. Rhine is a Beautiful route and head through Luxemburg for some hidden treats!
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&...
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&...
There's a great looking trip on the AM forum here...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Might be worth knicking some/all of the ideas here
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Might be worth knicking some/all of the ideas here
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