Driving in Alps or Highlands?
Discussion
Hello,
I am based in Amsterdam and am planning on going for a roadtrip before I move back home to Sweden. I’ll be driving from the middle of May to the middle of June. I love nature and old buildings / ruins.
I can’t decide wether I should drive thorough the Britain and go Brecon Beacons / Scottish highlands and such or going drive down south through the alps and explore that area.
Car I’ll be driving: MGB GT -73
What do you all think?
I am based in Amsterdam and am planning on going for a roadtrip before I move back home to Sweden. I’ll be driving from the middle of May to the middle of June. I love nature and old buildings / ruins.
I can’t decide wether I should drive thorough the Britain and go Brecon Beacons / Scottish highlands and such or going drive down south through the alps and explore that area.
Car I’ll be driving: MGB GT -73
What do you all think?
Consider the Jura in France - well known to the Dutch but less so to the Brits. It will fit the bill admirably from a driving perspective; I have an MX-5 so (like the MG) not full of power. The roads are empty, sweeping & reward good driving technique to maintain progress. You could combine this with a trip through the Vosges, an area I don't know but with similar geography.
The Jura won't tick the castles box (there are one or two such as the Chateau de Joux) but has lots of lovely villages & scenery.
The Jura won't tick the castles box (there are one or two such as the Chateau de Joux) but has lots of lovely villages & scenery.
I'd be heading to Switzerland for sure but that Western German / Eastern France border area has much to recommend it, especially for a petrol head! Call in or stop at:
Nurburgring to see what it's about.
Cologne for some of the best beer, the old town and a big cathedral.
Aachen for Charlemagne's palace.
Trier for the biggest Roman gate North of the alps (no need to stay the night).
The Black Forest is pretty and is supposed to have amazing roads (although I can't vouch for that as I've only been in a crappy hire car).
Strasbourg for general lovelyness.
Drive the Route de Vin for the pretty towns, wineries and nice restaurants.
Musée National de l'Automobile in Mulhouse for all of the Bugattis.
One week can net you the majority of the big passes in Switzerland and it is a stunningly beautiful country with amazing roads. And there's no midges!
I did the Strasbourg down into Switzerland portion of that and put some routes down here if you're after inspiration:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Nurburgring to see what it's about.
Cologne for some of the best beer, the old town and a big cathedral.
Aachen for Charlemagne's palace.
Trier for the biggest Roman gate North of the alps (no need to stay the night).
The Black Forest is pretty and is supposed to have amazing roads (although I can't vouch for that as I've only been in a crappy hire car).
Strasbourg for general lovelyness.
Drive the Route de Vin for the pretty towns, wineries and nice restaurants.
Musée National de l'Automobile in Mulhouse for all of the Bugattis.
One week can net you the majority of the big passes in Switzerland and it is a stunningly beautiful country with amazing roads. And there's no midges!
I did the Strasbourg down into Switzerland portion of that and put some routes down here if you're after inspiration:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I'd recommend Scotland, west coast mainly plus the Outer Hebrides as the trip over the Sea of the Hebrides is magical.
Lots of history in that part of Scotland, the Isle of Harris is unique IMO and reminds me of the Isle of Skye when I first went there many years ago. Loads & loads of hidden gems including rugged landscapes, beaches, ferries, brochs, castles, stunning coastlines, lochs etc. and the food is amazing.
I'm afraid that the weather can be somewhat inclement at times though......
Switzerland is truly lovely but eye wateringly expensive and the mountain passes take their toll on your brakes.....
Edited to add - the Brecon Beacons & Wales in general is a beautiful place with great people but given your timescales I'd stick to Scotland and do it properly.
Lots of history in that part of Scotland, the Isle of Harris is unique IMO and reminds me of the Isle of Skye when I first went there many years ago. Loads & loads of hidden gems including rugged landscapes, beaches, ferries, brochs, castles, stunning coastlines, lochs etc. and the food is amazing.
I'm afraid that the weather can be somewhat inclement at times though......
Switzerland is truly lovely but eye wateringly expensive and the mountain passes take their toll on your brakes.....
Edited to add - the Brecon Beacons & Wales in general is a beautiful place with great people but given your timescales I'd stick to Scotland and do it properly.
Not sure I could compare the two tbh.
Scotland is stunning, the roads are great at a decent or leisurely pace, some are in poor condition but in general I find them acceptable. It is miserable when wet, full of midgies mid May onwards.
Given you have a month, you must visit the isles. Lots of places to visit, joust spread out.
You may find accommodation restrictive as usually books up year in advance unless camping.
Alps is very different, you go up the mountains and the scenery is stunning but in a different way, given you have a month you could do Austria, Swiss and French alps and then Italian Dolomites. The roads are generally better but busier, hotels more available and other things to do. Weather better.
Given the choice to do either I’d go with the Alps, but go via Black Forest and if you get time Alsace is full of old castles and really very nice region.
Scotland is stunning, the roads are great at a decent or leisurely pace, some are in poor condition but in general I find them acceptable. It is miserable when wet, full of midgies mid May onwards.
Given you have a month, you must visit the isles. Lots of places to visit, joust spread out.
You may find accommodation restrictive as usually books up year in advance unless camping.
Alps is very different, you go up the mountains and the scenery is stunning but in a different way, given you have a month you could do Austria, Swiss and French alps and then Italian Dolomites. The roads are generally better but busier, hotels more available and other things to do. Weather better.
Given the choice to do either I’d go with the Alps, but go via Black Forest and if you get time Alsace is full of old castles and really very nice region.
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