Roadtrip through Europe

[splintheter]

Hi All,

I am new to the Pistonheads Forum, but just about everyone I know is on here, so I though it was time to leave the comfort of my "BMW only" forums

Right, so myself and a good mate have planned a 2 week roadtrip to monaco and back (via 5 days at the ring) in April. Basically I was simply hopping for some advice and feelings with regards to the trip we have planned.

In short the trip is as follows (full itinerary at roadtrip.comprendo.co.uk)

Hull to Zeebrugge
Zebbrugge to Amsterdam (2 nights)
Amsterdam to undecided (any advice ??)
Undecided to Nurburgring (4 nights)
Ring to Munich (BMW plant tour and museum)
Munich to San bernadino pass (yet to decide where to stay)
San Bernadino to Monacco via Col de Turini
Monaco to Paris -- Long haul of 600 miles
2 nights paris.
Head back home.

I cant wait to begin this. We will be doing it in my 135i.

What you all think?

Ant

[rottie102]

splintheter said:

Hi All,

I am new to the Pistonheads Forum, but just about everyone I know is on here, so I though it was time to leave the comfort of my "BMW only" forums

Right, so myself and a good mate have planned a 2 week roadtrip to monaco and back (via 5 days at the ring) in April. Basically I was simply hopping for some advice and feelings with regards to the trip we have planned.

In short the trip is as follows (full itinerary at roadtrip.comprendo.co.uk)

Hull to Zeebrugge
Zebbrugge to Amsterdam (2 nights)
Amsterdam to undecided (any advice ??)
Undecided to Nurburgring (4 nights)
Ring to Munich (BMW plant tour and museum)
Munich to San bernadino pass (yet to decide where to stay)
San Bernadino to Monacco via Col de Turini
Monaco to Paris -- Long haul of 600 miles
2 nights paris.
Head back home.

I cant wait to begin this. We will be doing it in my 135i.

What you all think?

Ant

We think it's a good idea

[splintheter]

Thanks!! I think it is a very good Idea! I just want to get going now.

[Addymk2]

I your going from Monaco to Paris and fancy hitting up an amazing set of roads go via the gorges du verdon. If its quiet your in for a treat, it's a beautiful place and only a little out of your way.

[splintheter]

Addymk2 said:

I your going from Monaco to Paris and fancy hitting up an amazing set of roads go via the gorges du verdon. If its quiet your in for a treat, it's a beautiful place and only a little out of your way.

Thanks for the advice, thats brilliant!

[AndyCowman]

route de grande alpes and route napoloen are both fun

[Addymk2]

No worries mate! Enjoy and take a camera!

[Guyr]

I'd add Stuttgart for the Porsche and Mercedes museums, both are really excellent.

Do you have something booked for the 5 days at the 'ring (eg a 2-3 day course), otherwise you'll be scratching your head for things to do there for 5 days, as most weekdays it's only open for a couple of hours in the evenings and there's not a lot to do locally.

[splintheter]

Addymk2 said:

No worries mate! Enjoy and take a camera!

Will do. My mate is a professional photographer, so I will get some pics up here and on the roadtrip website... My Fiance is not happy at the moment, as all I can go on about is this trip, when I am supposed to be helping plan a wedding woops!

[Addymk2]

She has female friends and relatives to help plan a wedding! I've already explained to my misses that I'm playing no part in the planning, I'll turn up for the day though!

[Chicane-UK]

Agreed about comments regarding the ring. Check that it's actually open for public sessions otherwise it'll be a wasted visit, and you REALLY don't need 4 days there. I'd say a couple of days to really soak it up.

[splintheter]

Chicane-UK said:

Agreed about comments regarding the ring. Check that it's actually open for public sessions otherwise it'll be a wasted visit, and you REALLY don't need 4 days there. I'd say a couple of days to really soak it up.

Yeh its easter weekend, so its open all day for 4 days. No doubt it will be packed. Yeh I know 4 days may be overkill, but my mate is flying in from South Africa, so its a once in a life time thing. I have been many times and I will go again, where as this may be his one and only trip.

[splintheter]

Addymk2 said:

She has female friends and relatives to help plan a wedding! I've already explained to my misses that I'm playing no part in the planning, I'll turn up for the day though!

What i Said yesterday and I quote : "Babe, I am paying for the wedding, so please go ahead and plan your perfect day, if you are happy, I am happy" -- Dirty looks of "you care more about your bloody cars and this roadtrip" followed.

[splintheter]

AndyCowman said:

route de grande alpes and route napoloen are both fun

Thanks, this is exactly what i Wanted. The info from you all is awesome! Thank You.

[blearyeyedboy]

splintheter said:

My Fiance is not happy at the moment, as all I can go on about is this trip, when I am supposed to be helping plan a wedding woops!

Tell her you've been looking forward to a chance to recharge your batteries with a trip like this, and it means you'll be able to come back and do more planning when your holiday has re-energised you. (Then do the same amount you would have done anyway, but with less earache!)

Addymk2 said:

I've already explained to my misses that I'm playing no part in the planning, I'll turn up for the day though!

Top tip? Unless you want an argument, don't tell her this.

[splintheter]

blearyeyedboy said:

Top tip? Unless you want an argument, don't tell her this.

Agreed!! I will kepp that little nugget to myself.

[RossP]

Sounds great fun. Have a fantastic time!

• Check your car insurance for the ring - most likely you won't be covered

[Davey S2]

Search in the Roads forum. Loads of trip details and write ups there which should give you plenty of ideas.

Route Napoleon is a must though.

[splintheter]

RossP said:

Sounds great fun. Have a fantastic time!

• Check your car insurance for the ring - most likely you won't be covered

Yeh, I generally drive on the ring with the presumption that I am not insured, but last year I swapped my car to More than Business insurance and I have read through the policy wording numerous times and I can find anything excluding the ring. It does not have the usual, you cannot use the car on prepared tracks, or for timing, or more specifically "you may not use it on the ring" . I really cant find anything. I hope I dont have to put it to the test.

[wombat172a]

This is the plan we came up with for last september:


Good Weather route
Friday 9th September: Drive Calais - Grenoble (527mi / 7hrs 36mins)
Saturday 10th September: Drive Grenoble - Menton via Route Napoleon (260mi / 6hrs 40mins)
Sunday 11th September: Rest day
Monday 12th September: Drive Sospel - Briancon via Grande Route des Alpes & Col de Turini (176mi / 4hrs 53mins)
Tuesday 13th September: Drive Braincon - Aosta, Italy via Grande Route des Alpes & Col de Petit St Bernard (155mi / 4hrs 13mins)
Wednesday 14th September: Aosta - Lake Como via Milan (152mi / 2hrs 38mins)
Thursday 15th September: Lake Como - Bormio (88mi / 2hrs 43mins)
Friday 16th September: Bormio - Munich via Stelvio Pass (182mi / 4hrs 13mins)
Saturday 17th September: Oktoberfest!
Sunday 18th September: Munich - Nurburg (328mi / 4hrs 52mins)
Monday 19th September: Nurburg - Calais (266mi / 4hrs 58mins)

Total: 2134 miles

Bad Weather route - further into Italy & Austria
Friday 9th September: Drive Calais - Grenoble (527mi / 7hrs 36mins)
Saturday 10th September: Drive Grenoble - Sospel via Route Napoleon (260mi / 6hrs 40mins)
Sunday 11th September: Rest day
Monday 12th September: Drive Sospel - Lake Como via Autostrada del Fiori (235mi / 4hrs 9mins)
Tuesday 13th September: Rest day @ Lake Como
Wednesday 14th September: Drive Lake Como - Bormio (88mi / 2hrs 43mins)
Thursday 15th September: Drive Bormio - Lienz, Austria via Stelvio (172mi / 3hrs 57mins)
Friday 16th September: Drive Lienz - Munich via Grossglockner (208mi / 4hrs 18mins)
Saturday 17th September: Oktoberfest!
Sunday 18th September: Munich - Nurburg (328mi / 4hrs 52mins)
Monday 19th September: Nurburg - Calais (266mi / 4hrs 58mins)

Total: 2084 miles



Check this website for status of the passes: http://www.alpen-journal.de/alpenpaesse.html



Was mucho fun!!! But we went to Lady Gada rather than lake como, and werenot disappointed!