Help planning road trip?

[R1 Indy]

I'm in the process of planning a road trip/ holiday for next May incorporating the Monaco GP.

Now my plan roughly is to leave Gloucestershire on the Monday morning onto the eurotunnel, then head down to Nice.

Now I'm thinking of 2 night stops and arriving at nice on the Wednesday.

So what two places would you guys recommend for staying between Calais and Nice? I will be camping rather than hotel.


Then after the GP, I plan on leaving the Monday, heading up through Switzerland, into Germany and spend a day or 2 at the nurburgring.

So any recommendations on places to stay on this route? I'm thinking Swiss alps would be nice, but other than that I'm a bit lost.

Plan to be back in UK on either the sat or sun, as only booked 2 weeks off work.

So anyone got any suggestions, that would be great. This is my first road trip.

Cheers

[Pet Troll]

I know you said you will be camping but at the top of the swiss mountains it can get a bit cold, there are a few nice hotels at the top of the stelvio pass.

Camping AM Nurburgring is highly recommended by me, I stayed there for a week earlier this year and it was cheap enough, about 14 Euros per night per car I think.

Where are you planning on staying in Monaco?

[R1 Indy]

Yea I may consider a hotel for Swiss alps, although I do have a high tolerance for cold weather, so would prob be ok.

I plan on camping in Nice somewhere then getting train to Monaco.

[SmilerFTM]

Depends what passes are open by then, I went mid June and quite a few were still closed. I'd look into planning two routes for each day when mountain passes are involved so as you have an alternative route around the passes if they are.

[andyalan10]

My first thought from Gloucestershire would be to consider leaving from Poole or Portsmouth. The South East of England and North East of France are not the greatest driving regions in Europe.

Depends a lot on what type of things your want to see on the way. Going down the more western side of France you could take in Le Mans, driving down the Mulsanne straight is a nice thing to say you've done. On the other hand south of Calais is the old Grand Prix circuit at Rheims.

I love driving in France, especially their main roads as opposed to Autoroutes, and also just stopping in small towns to amble round. Many of them have municipal campsites next to rivers or lakes, and within walking distance of town centre restaurants, shops etc.

Buy yourself a Michelin atlas and look for the green lined roads, and roads that look like someone's intestines for a clue to the scenic bits, and the bendy bits!

Give us some more clues as to what type of things you'd like to see and do and we can be more specific.

Andy

[Fleckers]

sounds like fun

i have stayed at www.chezrenard.com before, the do a B&B thing and have lots of land so may do camping, they are an old english couple who have lived in france for years and dont hassle, if you want something you ask else you are on your own, including their swimming pool

[996TT02]

You could drive through the Route des Vins on your way down, and definitely do not miss the Route Napoleon.

[SmilerFTM]

996TT02 said:

You could drive through the Route des Vins on your way down, and definitely do not miss the Route Napoleon.

I missed out Napoleon but only because I had enough time to do Route Des Grandes Alps which I would highly recommend if you have the time. Napoleon is your best bet if doing the length of France in two days though