Recommend me a route - Cheltenham to Verona

[2Btoo]

Hi,

I'm not sure whether this thread belongs in here or in 'Roads' (or even in 'General Gassing' but I am sure that the mods will move it if necessary.

I need to plan a trip from Cheltenham to (just outside) Verona in early July this year. The car will probably be a 944 and there will be two people going each way (I'll have a different passenger each way, but that's by-the-by.) Google Maps shows two routes each of about 1000 miles; one via France and Switzerland, the other via Germany and Austria. Like this:



However these are simply the most direct routes; if we wanted to do something more interesting or scenic there would be (lots) of other options.

Criteria on the way out would be for a slightly quicker journey, possibly spending two nights en route in Europe. We'd like to see a few things but more interested in making progress. Some French scenery and bread and wine would be good.

Coming back could have another day (perhaps) and therefore go a bit more slowly. I'd be happy to see more things, perhaps take in a museum or two (although we've done the obvious ones in Stuttgart) and some old motor racing heritage places. However further than that the ideas are thin, hence this thread!

All suggestions and observations welcome - thanks.

[blue_haddock]

When i drove to northern italy i did the german route, reasons being there is no toll charges involved unlike in france and the austrian motorway pass was a lot cheaper than the swiss version.

[chip*]

Some policy has age limit on cars, so check the 944 is covered in your euro break down insurance.

[Bluesgirl]

I'd be tempted to drive down through France for speed and come back through Germany/Belgium. I did a similar route through Germany/Switzerland/Italy in the 911 a few years ago and it was fantastic. Don't miss the Black Forest - stunning scenery, however the downside was the appallingly bad driving in Belgium - no signals and apparently no mirrors on their cars! The French telepeage system is good, I used Fulli and it worked well, although their customer service is sullen and unhelpful. I drove back from Geneva last week up through Reims and the roads are practically empty and you can really get a move on. At the Germany/Switzerland/Italy end, you're surrounded by beautiful places and lots of choice for stopovers.

Have a great trip.

Edited to add: why not see what's going on at Spa Francorchamps when you're passing through? The Belgian Grand Prix, no less !! Happy days

Edited by Bluesgirl on Wednesday 12th February 11:25

[Voodoo Blue]

A museum well worth visiting is in Mulhouse near the French, Swiss, German border. https://www.musee-automobile.fr/en/ More Bugattis than you can shake a stick at including 2 Royales.

As far as your route is concerned, you'll likely make better progress through Germany and Austria and avoid the tolls of France. Id avoid the A2 in Switzerland, there are often queues to get through the Gottard Tunnel and the Swiss are red hot on speeding. I also hate the A4 that you'll be on from Milan to Verona. It demonstrates just how bad Italian driving can be. I lost count of the number of times we've been overtaken by over enthusiastic Italians who then suddenly brakes in front of you because they're going to miss their exit, probably because they wanted to overtake a Porsche

But here's a thought. After covid we've done all our European road trips cross country on A and B roads and they've been the most enjoyable we've done over the 30 years we've been doing them. In such a car like the 944 the opportunity to experience driving on some fantastic roads especially in southern Germany and then through one of the passes like the Stelvio into Italy would be a truly memorable experience. Much better than chasing caravans down the Autoroutes/Autobahns and all the frustration that entails. The bonus is you don't have to buy a Swiss or Austrian Carnet either.

Edited by Voodoo Blue on Wednesday 12th February 11:39