Gallardo - a european roadtrip writeup
Discussion
In planning this holiday I picked up many helpful tips, routes, and recommendations from Pistonheads members so I thought I’d take the time to write it up for the future benefit of others.
Some stats:
2700 miles
700 litres of super unleaded
Do the math and that’s an average of 17 mpg. Better than the 8 mpg I get in Central London.
1 speeding fine of €90.
Day 1
London -> Reims, 300 miles
I always use the Tunnel; always flexible and always reliable. In a car like this ensure you go in the high sided vehicles section as it’s too wide for the normal carriages. Ask at the barrier and follow the lorry pics.
Calais -> Reims 164 miles on the autoroute. Take care north of Reims, Les Rozzers like to take tourist cash – see return!
Stay here:
http://www.bestwestern-lapaix-reims.com/hotel/en_h... it’s modern, contemporary, surprisingly cheap and bang in the centre of Reims. It also has a secure underground carpark. They will ask you to leave your keys; my polite refusal was accepted. The access ramp is quite steep but no problem for the Gallardo.
Do not leave Reims without checking out the old motor circuit buildings. Set your satnav to Geux.
http://www.etracksonline.co.uk/europe/france/reims...
and this one give you an idea
Day 2
Reims -> Chamonix, 380 miles
Autoroutes are fast – and fun with numerous tunnels and plenty of twisties as you rise out of the valley.
I like staying here:
www.hameaualbert.fr which has a real mixture of rooms both within the main hotel building and in large Chalets within the grounds, La Ferme. Great pool. They have a mega-starred gastronomic restaurant in the main building, but unless you’re a fan of cappuccino sauces and fois gras with everything, I’d recommend La Maison Carrier – Rack of Lamb cooked over a wood fire anyone? They also have secure, underground parking.
Alternatively I have stayed at the Hotel Gustavia before, cheaper and perfect for a few days. Unsecure outdoor parking next to the hotel.
http://www.hotel-gustavia.com/gb/index.html
If you are staying in Chamonix for a while, head in the direction of Argentiere for some good mountain switchback roads.
Day 3
Chamonix -> Venice
The obvious route is Mont Blanc Tunnel but that’s no fun and the queues on the Chamonix side always seem quite long. You’ll also be queuing & moving slowly up a steep hill which isn’t the best for the clutch. Don’t do as I did several years ago and go for lairy powerslides round the corners of the approach road – tempting but on candid camera!
We opted instead for the Col de Petit Saint Bernard.
Chamonix -> Bourg St Maurice; 2hrs
A great drive in itself over mountain twisties, some of which are too narrow to get past the old man in his Renault 5 so can be frustrating.
Bourg is a decent town with plenty of places to eat so I’d recommend an early lunch.
The Col begins on the outskirts of Bourg (satnav destination to Aosta, Italy) and of course was used in the original Italian Job, so download Matt Munro's ‘On Days Like These’ before you go.
This is taken at the half way stage, old border post. It’s obviously high up there and it’s definitely slippery when wet. Take care.
From Aosta it’s motorway to Venice. Italian motorways are mostly 2-lane dual carriageway but unlike France there seems to be a huge number of trucks clogging the inside lane so progress is average. The surface quality also varies hugely and along this route they seem to be in the middle of a huge roadbuilding programme.
Parking in Venice; www.veniceparking.it this is a large multistory that’s easy enough to find; It is linked to Venice central by Vaporetto (the large river boats) or private water taxi. You can arrange VIP parking in bays monitored by CCTV and a man for slightly more than the normal charge, probably worth it for the peace of mind.
We stayed here
http://danieli.hotelinvenice.com/
which is no bargain and old fashioned (think Claridges) but is in a great location.
Day 4 spent in Venice
Day 5
Venice – Florence, via Ferrari & Lamborghini
1st stop Maranello for lunch and there’s only one place for it:
Ristorante Cavallino, Via Abetone Inferiore, 41053, Maranello. Tel +390536941160
It’s right opposite the Ferrari factory gates.
Great food, sh1t wine, grumpy waiters and all manner of Fezza memorabilia and interesting people…..excellent place in other words!
Then off to Lamborghini – and my thanks to Steve Higgins @ Lambo London for organising, and our gracious host Francesca Spagna who spent 2hrs with us. No photos are allowed inside the factory – here are a few of the obvious ones
A few facts from the factory:
UK sales now account for 16% of cars – that’s about 3rd largest mkt.
Of Gallardo orders, well into the 90%’s are e-gear; UK takes more manuals than other markets.
Florence.
In Florence I highly recommend staying here, appreciating that this style isn’t everyone’s bag.
http://www.lungarnohotels.com/content/02/default.a...
It’s right on one end of the Ponte Vecchio as the photo from our room shows
and we found parking in a secure underground carpark at 10, Borge St Jacopo less than 5mins walk across the other side of the bridge. €30 a day.
We also enjoyed a fantastic – if slightly odd- dinner here:
http://www.ristorantelagiostra.com/inglese/framese...
Day 6 – in Florence
Day 7: Florence to Umbria
We stayed here
http://www.teverinahome.com/ which was fine but a bit scruffy – and peculiar given caves (bring out the gimp) and curious artwork.
A few pics
Return Journey
Day 1, Umbria -> Geneva
Autoroutes -> Aosta then Mont Blanc tunnel; it’s 1.5hrs from the French side of the tunnel to Geneva at most. You will never sign up to a London Tunnel run again as it’s tunnel after tunnel on these motorways. If I knew how to use youtube I’d post some clips.
Day 2, Geneva -> Reims
I highly recommend taking the N5 towards Dijon – it’s a great varied drive with short sections of dual carriage way, classic mountain switchbacks, stunning scenery and places to stop for food and drink along the way.
Unfortunately the camera was in the boot so you’ll have to take my word for it
We then munched the miles to Reims and decided to head straight to London in one hit – a long day but achievable.
Proof women drive lambos
but she wasn’t laughing when the French police pulled us a few minute later.
Funny who you bump into - ‘Ello ‘Arry
And finally – the car never missed a beat – not one – in close to 3k miles of fast driving on all manner of roads, come rain, shine and 40C heat. So stop worrying about reliability and get on with using your cars as they are supposed to be used!
Thanks for reading,
Joe
Some stats:
2700 miles
700 litres of super unleaded
Do the math and that’s an average of 17 mpg. Better than the 8 mpg I get in Central London.
1 speeding fine of €90.
Day 1
London -> Reims, 300 miles
I always use the Tunnel; always flexible and always reliable. In a car like this ensure you go in the high sided vehicles section as it’s too wide for the normal carriages. Ask at the barrier and follow the lorry pics.
Calais -> Reims 164 miles on the autoroute. Take care north of Reims, Les Rozzers like to take tourist cash – see return!
Stay here:
http://www.bestwestern-lapaix-reims.com/hotel/en_h... it’s modern, contemporary, surprisingly cheap and bang in the centre of Reims. It also has a secure underground carpark. They will ask you to leave your keys; my polite refusal was accepted. The access ramp is quite steep but no problem for the Gallardo.
Do not leave Reims without checking out the old motor circuit buildings. Set your satnav to Geux.
http://www.etracksonline.co.uk/europe/france/reims...
and this one give you an idea
Day 2
Reims -> Chamonix, 380 miles
Autoroutes are fast – and fun with numerous tunnels and plenty of twisties as you rise out of the valley.
I like staying here:
www.hameaualbert.fr which has a real mixture of rooms both within the main hotel building and in large Chalets within the grounds, La Ferme. Great pool. They have a mega-starred gastronomic restaurant in the main building, but unless you’re a fan of cappuccino sauces and fois gras with everything, I’d recommend La Maison Carrier – Rack of Lamb cooked over a wood fire anyone? They also have secure, underground parking.
Alternatively I have stayed at the Hotel Gustavia before, cheaper and perfect for a few days. Unsecure outdoor parking next to the hotel.
http://www.hotel-gustavia.com/gb/index.html
If you are staying in Chamonix for a while, head in the direction of Argentiere for some good mountain switchback roads.
Day 3
Chamonix -> Venice
The obvious route is Mont Blanc Tunnel but that’s no fun and the queues on the Chamonix side always seem quite long. You’ll also be queuing & moving slowly up a steep hill which isn’t the best for the clutch. Don’t do as I did several years ago and go for lairy powerslides round the corners of the approach road – tempting but on candid camera!
We opted instead for the Col de Petit Saint Bernard.
Chamonix -> Bourg St Maurice; 2hrs
A great drive in itself over mountain twisties, some of which are too narrow to get past the old man in his Renault 5 so can be frustrating.
Bourg is a decent town with plenty of places to eat so I’d recommend an early lunch.
The Col begins on the outskirts of Bourg (satnav destination to Aosta, Italy) and of course was used in the original Italian Job, so download Matt Munro's ‘On Days Like These’ before you go.
This is taken at the half way stage, old border post. It’s obviously high up there and it’s definitely slippery when wet. Take care.
From Aosta it’s motorway to Venice. Italian motorways are mostly 2-lane dual carriageway but unlike France there seems to be a huge number of trucks clogging the inside lane so progress is average. The surface quality also varies hugely and along this route they seem to be in the middle of a huge roadbuilding programme.
Parking in Venice; www.veniceparking.it this is a large multistory that’s easy enough to find; It is linked to Venice central by Vaporetto (the large river boats) or private water taxi. You can arrange VIP parking in bays monitored by CCTV and a man for slightly more than the normal charge, probably worth it for the peace of mind.
We stayed here
http://danieli.hotelinvenice.com/
which is no bargain and old fashioned (think Claridges) but is in a great location.
Day 4 spent in Venice
Day 5
Venice – Florence, via Ferrari & Lamborghini
1st stop Maranello for lunch and there’s only one place for it:
Ristorante Cavallino, Via Abetone Inferiore, 41053, Maranello. Tel +390536941160
It’s right opposite the Ferrari factory gates.
Great food, sh1t wine, grumpy waiters and all manner of Fezza memorabilia and interesting people…..excellent place in other words!
Then off to Lamborghini – and my thanks to Steve Higgins @ Lambo London for organising, and our gracious host Francesca Spagna who spent 2hrs with us. No photos are allowed inside the factory – here are a few of the obvious ones
A few facts from the factory:
UK sales now account for 16% of cars – that’s about 3rd largest mkt.
Of Gallardo orders, well into the 90%’s are e-gear; UK takes more manuals than other markets.
Florence.
In Florence I highly recommend staying here, appreciating that this style isn’t everyone’s bag.
http://www.lungarnohotels.com/content/02/default.a...
It’s right on one end of the Ponte Vecchio as the photo from our room shows
and we found parking in a secure underground carpark at 10, Borge St Jacopo less than 5mins walk across the other side of the bridge. €30 a day.
We also enjoyed a fantastic – if slightly odd- dinner here:
http://www.ristorantelagiostra.com/inglese/framese...
Day 6 – in Florence
Day 7: Florence to Umbria
We stayed here
http://www.teverinahome.com/ which was fine but a bit scruffy – and peculiar given caves (bring out the gimp) and curious artwork.
A few pics
Return Journey
Day 1, Umbria -> Geneva
Autoroutes -> Aosta then Mont Blanc tunnel; it’s 1.5hrs from the French side of the tunnel to Geneva at most. You will never sign up to a London Tunnel run again as it’s tunnel after tunnel on these motorways. If I knew how to use youtube I’d post some clips.
Day 2, Geneva -> Reims
I highly recommend taking the N5 towards Dijon – it’s a great varied drive with short sections of dual carriage way, classic mountain switchbacks, stunning scenery and places to stop for food and drink along the way.
Unfortunately the camera was in the boot so you’ll have to take my word for it
We then munched the miles to Reims and decided to head straight to London in one hit – a long day but achievable.
Proof women drive lambos
but she wasn’t laughing when the French police pulled us a few minute later.
Funny who you bump into - ‘Ello ‘Arry
And finally – the car never missed a beat – not one – in close to 3k miles of fast driving on all manner of roads, come rain, shine and 40C heat. So stop worrying about reliability and get on with using your cars as they are supposed to be used!
Thanks for reading,
Joe
Edited by squirejo on Monday 13th August 07:21
Bonjour Joe,
Thanks for this topic! I am really happy to see that your Summer trip was so enjoyable. How was the experience with our French policemen? I wish I had foreign plates. So easy to pay & leave. It is much more tricky with a French car & driving license. Next time your drive through France in August. Tell me & let's meet around St Tropez!
Y.
Thanks for this topic! I am really happy to see that your Summer trip was so enjoyable. How was the experience with our French policemen? I wish I had foreign plates. So easy to pay & leave. It is much more tricky with a French car & driving license. Next time your drive through France in August. Tell me & let's meet around St Tropez!
Y.
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