A Week In Europe - Where Shall I Go?
Discussion
I've got a week off without the missus, so I fancy stretching the legs of the Turbo around Europe.
Has anyone done just a weeks trip before? Where did you head to?
I'd like to spend maybe a couple of nights in two or three places or drive further and spend 3 or 4 nights somewhere taking in some interesting routes.
Also - are all the Autobhans de-restricted or only certain parts? If so, how do you know?
Has anyone done just a weeks trip before? Where did you head to?
I'd like to spend maybe a couple of nights in two or three places or drive further and spend 3 or 4 nights somewhere taking in some interesting routes.
Also - are all the Autobhans de-restricted or only certain parts? If so, how do you know?
The Rings (both)
Any number of Alpine passes including this awesome route to the South of France http://www.routedesgrandesalpes.com/pages/home/ind...
The Auvergne (central France)
The gorge du Verdon (That bit of France that Clarkson drove the RS4, I think)
The RMA trackday at Dijon-Prénois: Tue 11th-12th Sep 2007 (Beaune is very nice and nearby)
Southern Spain (near the Ascari race resort)
That hilly bit of Italy where EVO drove the Zondas a year or two ago.
Any number of Alpine passes including this awesome route to the South of France http://www.routedesgrandesalpes.com/pages/home/ind...
The Auvergne (central France)
The gorge du Verdon (That bit of France that Clarkson drove the RS4, I think)
The RMA trackday at Dijon-Prénois: Tue 11th-12th Sep 2007 (Beaune is very nice and nearby)
Southern Spain (near the Ascari race resort)
That hilly bit of Italy where EVO drove the Zondas a year or two ago.
Edited by MogulBoy on Thursday 23 August 10:29
I recently did a week around northern europe - we have a flat in Brussels, so used it as a base.
Definatley head to the Effiel region (Spa, Nurburgring etc) very nice region - lots to do around there.
No, very few parts of the Autobahn's are destricted, and usually only 2 lanes so tough to get the speed up! - have a look here for more info: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Definatley head to the Effiel region (Spa, Nurburgring etc) very nice region - lots to do around there.
No, very few parts of the Autobahn's are destricted, and usually only 2 lanes so tough to get the speed up! - have a look here for more info: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
nickd01 said:
Also - are all the Autobhans de-restricted or only certain parts? If so, how do you know?
Basically, if you see a speed sign on a circular disc with a red border ( as in the UK) that is the start of a restricted zone. The zone ends with another disc that's all white with the same speed number and a diagonal grey line thru it. Once you see this one, it's derstricted until the next one with the red border. Normally, the restricted zones are seen when there are:
1) Major or sometimes busy joining slip roads
2) Relatively twisty parts of the autobahn
3) Roadworks
4) Some 2-lane sections but not all
I live in Duesseldorf and there's quite alot of deristricted parts of the A52, A3, A57, A59, A61, A542 etc all within 20mins drive
Traffic can get busy during rush hours near the big connurbations but it's nothing compared to the UK. If you have a satnav with traffic alert, there is such a good motorway network in Germany that it's not long before it has rerouted you onto a nearby alternative.A nice drive is from Koblenz all the way down to Heidlberg along the Rhine gorge. Loads of 'fairy tale' castles looking down at the river. Also along the Mosel from Koblenz to Luxembourg, all great wine country
Hi,
I've done a weeks driving alone in the French alps 3 times over the last 3 years, but I went March/April time. Unfortunately at this time of the year you'll encounter holiday hell, esp. in August. I reckon all the high passes will be chocker with tourists with their caravans and campers, although if you haven't been before they're still worth seeing. They were all closed when I went, so I've got to go down and tick them off at some point.
The Massif Central and south of might be your best bet to find some empty road space, and the auvergne as already mentioned. Basically, a 70 mile radius around Valence takes in some of the best driving in Europe, and its not that 'fashionable' either. Valence is an easy days hack to and from, personally I have found I prefer to get straight there, when I've tried to make the journey there more interesting I just found I got frustrated by the time it was taking to get there. Basically, there isn't anywhere in the northern half of france that compares in any way to the southern half, IMO.
I took in the 'ring on the way back, and enjoyed criss-crossing the french and swiss borders, taking in the Jura etc, very remote. I got half way up Mont Ventoux, which is a fantastic road, but even then there were lots of cyclists. People probably won't want to tow caravans up there, but I'd bet there'll be loads and loads of campers.
In april this year the temperatures were in the high twenties, which was bring people out onto the roads. I went to Grasse, Eze and La Turbie, and literally could not find a single parking space, and had to keep on the move. But the central areas were totally deserted.
I don't know anything about Italy, but I'd rather imagine places like the Stelvio would be amagnet to tourists. Wonder what the dolomites are like this time of year.
You'll definitely have to do a bit of research if you want to have a proper hoon, but tbh, most of europe is on holiday this month. I'd be very interested indeed to hear how you get on.
I've done a weeks driving alone in the French alps 3 times over the last 3 years, but I went March/April time. Unfortunately at this time of the year you'll encounter holiday hell, esp. in August. I reckon all the high passes will be chocker with tourists with their caravans and campers, although if you haven't been before they're still worth seeing. They were all closed when I went, so I've got to go down and tick them off at some point.
The Massif Central and south of might be your best bet to find some empty road space, and the auvergne as already mentioned. Basically, a 70 mile radius around Valence takes in some of the best driving in Europe, and its not that 'fashionable' either. Valence is an easy days hack to and from, personally I have found I prefer to get straight there, when I've tried to make the journey there more interesting I just found I got frustrated by the time it was taking to get there. Basically, there isn't anywhere in the northern half of france that compares in any way to the southern half, IMO.
I took in the 'ring on the way back, and enjoyed criss-crossing the french and swiss borders, taking in the Jura etc, very remote. I got half way up Mont Ventoux, which is a fantastic road, but even then there were lots of cyclists. People probably won't want to tow caravans up there, but I'd bet there'll be loads and loads of campers.
In april this year the temperatures were in the high twenties, which was bring people out onto the roads. I went to Grasse, Eze and La Turbie, and literally could not find a single parking space, and had to keep on the move. But the central areas were totally deserted.
I don't know anything about Italy, but I'd rather imagine places like the Stelvio would be amagnet to tourists. Wonder what the dolomites are like this time of year.
You'll definitely have to do a bit of research if you want to have a proper hoon, but tbh, most of europe is on holiday this month. I'd be very interested indeed to hear how you get on.
there is a track da at Spa next week on Wednesday http://www.porscheclubfrancorchamps.be/calendrier/... if that fits (I'm pretty sure there are places left)
sleep envy said:
tertius said:
If the Nurburgring is open then its a no-brainer. Worth checking your insurance before you go though. If your insurance doesn't cover you, then rent-racecar.de or the ringhaus will hire you a suitable car.
and Spa is only 60 kms away...
Davey S2 said:
The route I did with the Ferrari boys in June.
Calais to Dijon (via the GP circuit at Reimes)
Dijon to Juan le Pins (via Route Napoleon
)
Juan Le Pins to Monaco
Monaco to Bormio
Bormio to Geneva (via Stelvio Pass)
Geneva to Versailles
Home.
Doing this route in 2 weeks...though from Monaco I'm heading to Tuscany for a week....then back through the Stelvio, etc.Calais to Dijon (via the GP circuit at Reimes)
Dijon to Juan le Pins (via Route Napoleon
)Juan Le Pins to Monaco
Monaco to Bormio
Bormio to Geneva (via Stelvio Pass)
Geneva to Versailles
Home.
There is no question about where I would go... Catalunya.
N152 from Toulouse to Vic, via Andorra for genuine duty frees, then down to Barcelona.
In between enjoying Barcelona, 2006 and 2007 travel writers favourite city in the world, the road from Campins to Col de Revell, in Montseny National Park, is where you should find yourself. The restaurant in Campins is where Barca FC eat after training and does the best grilled lamb you will ever eat. The road over the top is twisty, fast, very fast, scary and even more scary. You will love it and it will give you a rush that no Autobahn could ever come close to.
Then its some fast legwork up the motorway on your way back to France.
N152 from Toulouse to Vic, via Andorra for genuine duty frees, then down to Barcelona.
In between enjoying Barcelona, 2006 and 2007 travel writers favourite city in the world, the road from Campins to Col de Revell, in Montseny National Park, is where you should find yourself. The restaurant in Campins is where Barca FC eat after training and does the best grilled lamb you will ever eat. The road over the top is twisty, fast, very fast, scary and even more scary. You will love it and it will give you a rush that no Autobahn could ever come close to.
Then its some fast legwork up the motorway on your way back to France.
Raven Flyer said:
There is no question about where I would go... Catalunya.
N152 from Toulouse to Vic, via Andorra for genuine duty frees, then down to Barcelona.
In between enjoying Barcelona, 2006 and 2007 travel writers favourite city in the world, the road from Campins to Col de Revell, in Montseny National Park, is where you should find yourself. The restaurant in Campins is where Barca FC eat after training and does the best grilled lamb you will ever eat. The road over the top is twisty, fast, very fast, scary and even more scary. You will love it and it will give you a rush that no Autobahn could ever come close to.
Then its some fast legwork up the motorway on your way back to France.
N152 from Toulouse to Vic, via Andorra for genuine duty frees, then down to Barcelona.
In between enjoying Barcelona, 2006 and 2007 travel writers favourite city in the world, the road from Campins to Col de Revell, in Montseny National Park, is where you should find yourself. The restaurant in Campins is where Barca FC eat after training and does the best grilled lamb you will ever eat. The road over the top is twisty, fast, very fast, scary and even more scary. You will love it and it will give you a rush that no Autobahn could ever come close to.
Then its some fast legwork up the motorway on your way back to France.
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