My EuroTrip through Alps in Ferrari (inc pics & vids)
Discussion
8 countries, 5 days, 2175 miles, 2 social misfits, 1 Ferrari F430 F1.
I'm sorry that this is so long, but it’s the kind of thing I was interested in reading when I was planning my trip, so hopefully it is of use to those planning and of interest to those not.
Where I discuss a road, I have made the name in bold for easy reference.
Day1 - London to Val D'Isere (via Reims). 725miles.
Checked in for Chunnel at 9:20am, then headed down the french motorways to Reims. The abandoned Reims race track near Gueux is really quite special, and is a must-do visit especially given its proximity to the main southbound motorway. You can walk up into the control tower and have an excellent view of the pit straight. The buildings have their adverts freshly painted.
After a quick Croque Moisseur in Gueux, we set off for Val. I think I underestimated somewhat the sheer distance of this leg, and after getting stuck for a while in Lyon's M25, the day was getting quite tedious. However arriving at the foothills of the alps near Grenoble was quite special. I wasn’t prepared for the quality and enjoyment which was provided by the road up to Val D'Isere (D902). This road had everything you want from a mountain route, with hairpins and gentle windings. The road didn’t provide and "cliff edge" driving, which was good as there was plenty of that to come. This was quite a highlight of the trip.
We arrived in Val around 10pm, and were promptly provided with a quick tour of the local Gendarme police station, complete with a signed certificate for only €90. Some might say this was a fine for not having a front number plate, but that's just negative thinking! By this time, I was cursing not having pre-booked a hotel, but we were lucky to find one (Hotel Mercure) still open for business and slept like a log.
Day2 - Val D'Isere to Monaco. Via Col D'Iseran and Route de Napoleon. 174miles
Awoke amazingly refreshed and raring to go. So after visiting the local shop for some double sided sticky tape, we attached the front plate and were off. Now the small scale of the mileage for this day made us think this was going to be a quick cruise, but infact it took yonks because of the route we opted for. Never underestimate how slowly you average speed through the mountain passes! The Col D'Iseran out of Val D'Isere is breathtaking. Quite literally infact as it peaks at just over 2750m. The route varys from stomach churning cliff edge, to windy in-mountain roads. Really enjoyed this road and probably the best road of the trip. The roads are excellent quality with new tarmac and the hairpins are easily negotiable without grounding. Nothing like as busy as the Stelvio Pass.
After descending, we continued our no-motorway route, and by chance took the Col du Galibier. Again, this road is an amazing moutain climb. I loved it for its variety from stunning greenery and hefty hairpins at the start to undulating windy roads through wide expanses of shingle near the top. Big hairpins with plenty of view of oncoming traffic meant lots of opportunity to have a laugh with getting the tail out on the corner! This road would have been my favourite of the trip were it not for number of cylists and other cars. There were plenty of overtaking opportunities however, so far from annoying.
Finally we came to Route Napoleon with high expectations. Sorry to say they were dashed. The road is good, but I wont revisit, as imo every other road I've mentioned so far has been miles better. To be honest the sheer length and repetitiveness of RN made it quite boring and I was wishing Nice to be closer. I'm glad I did it but wont return. Monaco is stunning. David Coulthard's (ex?) Hotel Columbus is not.
Day 3 - Monaco to Morbegno (Lake Como). 261miles
We arrived at the end of Day2 after bezzing around monaco for a bit. You really cant resist monaco in a ferrari; despite the sheer number of posh cars, everyone still looks at you. We got out of the car at Columbus and the porter approached. We looked thoroughly shabby, and combined with the fact that my overnight bag in the boot was an old Tesco carrier bag, I don’t know what they thought. Anyway we got an odd look from the Valet and entered the hotel. At that point our impression took another knock, as Tesco bag split and my pants fell out onto the floor. Nice. The hotel is nice enough, but they rip you off with the extras. €50 for breakfast. €25 for parking. €10 for a pint of lager. €60 for two chicken sandwiches and 2 bottles of Becks.
In the morning we drove the whole Monaco GP circuit a couple of times, drove past the Casino sq, then headed off for Italy. The trip up the hills out of Monaco is beautiful; amazing views of the sea and the city.
A vid of me driving the main hairpin and tunnel of Monaco GP.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=CNL__KfXUWU
Following the Cote D'Azur into Italy was great at first but a bit repetitive: tunnel-bridge-tunnel-bridge-tunnel-bridge… for yonks. We became bored of this and decided to shorten our journey time by increasing speed. I decided to use a local BMW in front as the pacesetter, thinking that he'd be the one that gets nabbed if we come across any Police. On a relatively open empty road, we suddenly flew past a copper in a hidden layby at well into 3figures, and on came the blue lights. Shat meself. Thought quite quickly and just round a bend, I nailed it into a service station layby. About 15 seconds later the copper came screaming past all guns blazing and off into the distance. I refuelled and took the very next exit off the motorway continuing the rest of my journey on small roads at very modest speed! Quite lucky really, because the countryside surrounding Milan is really quite beautiful. Drove through Lake Como but no accomodation available, so continued towards the Stelvio Pass and eventually found Hotel Bellevue in Morbegno.
Day4 - Morbegno to Frankfurt. 445miles, via Stelvio Pass and many others
The SS38 from Colico to Tirano is the main direct route from Como to the Stelvio Pass. It’s a main artery for the area and is incredibly busy. Expect nose to tail traffic the entire way, at what ever day or time you are travelling. The traffic doesn’t seem to go anywhere specific, its just that the odd car breaks off the road randomly every now and then.
The first mountain road was the Stelvio Pass. As with RN, we were expecting big things due to all the hype. Luckily this road lived up to it, and it was really incredible. There wasn’t the variety that we experienced in the previous roads mentioned, but the Pass managed to ensure that the continuous hairpins maintained your interest rather that ensuing boredom. This was aided by the odd tunnel and occasional straight. Plenty of tourists, but plenty of overtaking available, so they rarely hold you up. We went about 1pm on a Saturday, possibly the worst time but still had no issue with being held up.
A vid of the early sections of Stelvio
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5D7fNs2R41I
A vid of mid Stelvio with straights and tunnels
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=8FqkENPG0U4
A vid of the main hairpin section of Stelvio
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=i3tKKh0dmhw
A vid of the view of Stelvio from near top
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ic9vnyEXcBY
Once at the summit however I was much disappointed with the downward (Northeast-ward) journey. This side was awful. The road quality was very poor, and the hairpins were much tighter making it difficult and less fun to drive, and very often scraping/grounding would occur. If we werent heading north for any reason, I certainly wouldn’t go on this side of stelvio again; I'd just turn round and go back towards Bormio.
From the end of Stelio Pass, we headed towards Germany, and all of the roads were good each with their own attributes, but I imagine there arent many bad routes if you are sticking to small roads in the area. One in particular stood out however. This was the seemingly unamed road from Imst to Elmen via Pfafflar. What a Gem. Not particularly long but incredibly enjoyable. What I liked about this road was that after a brief climb through a forest you spend most of the road winding round the mountain on a level road. Lots of quick movement of the steering wheel, and up/down between 2nd/3rd gear. Very different to all the others as you're on a level and you can see where you're going, but you obviously are following the shape of the mountain. Then a quick trip back down the mountain to some blasts on wide open meadow expanses in the valley. Would very much go out of my way to go there again.
A vid of the Imst to Elmen drive:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=KFGn5hwT5Ro
From Elmen, we headed to Pfronten via Gran, where the roads continued to be carefree picturesque flat open stretches.
Not long into Germany on the first A road we came across the unmissable photo opportunity at the town of Wank.
Now on the Autobahns, and managed to work my confidence up until I eventually did a 178mph blast following an SL55. For those who havent been on the German network, it may seem like heaven, but we travelled the entire west motorway network and I now hate German roads because (a) The roads are mostly 2 lanes, (b) The roads are the worst quality surface in europe, (c) when it rains the water stays on the road like sheet glass, (d) immense scale of roadworks like ive never seen. Now (d) is obviously dealing with problems (a) to (c), so hope is in sight.
Arrived at hotel in frankfurt at about 9:30pm, where again the porters seems aghast at the lack of class from people exiting such a car.
Day5 - Frankfurt to London (via Hockenheim for the Grand Prix). 571miles
The Grand Prix was quality. The distance from parking to the track was huge, and I had to park in a corn field! Eek! It pissed it down all the way from Hockenheim to Holland, so never got any decent use of the unlimited autobahns, but was glad to finally get out of Germany onto some decent roads. It was very apparent, as soon as we reached Dutch soil, there were nice empty quality 3-laned motorways and this theme continued all the way through Belgium to Calais. Come on Germany; how hard can it be!! The ETA on the satnav was varying wildly, so I have no idea how it calculates the eta, but we made it just in time for the last Chunnel back to Blighty.
Final comments
- Ferraris arent fuel efficient.
I'm sorry that this is so long, but it’s the kind of thing I was interested in reading when I was planning my trip, so hopefully it is of use to those planning and of interest to those not.
Where I discuss a road, I have made the name in bold for easy reference.
Day1 - London to Val D'Isere (via Reims). 725miles.
Checked in for Chunnel at 9:20am, then headed down the french motorways to Reims. The abandoned Reims race track near Gueux is really quite special, and is a must-do visit especially given its proximity to the main southbound motorway. You can walk up into the control tower and have an excellent view of the pit straight. The buildings have their adverts freshly painted.
After a quick Croque Moisseur in Gueux, we set off for Val. I think I underestimated somewhat the sheer distance of this leg, and after getting stuck for a while in Lyon's M25, the day was getting quite tedious. However arriving at the foothills of the alps near Grenoble was quite special. I wasn’t prepared for the quality and enjoyment which was provided by the road up to Val D'Isere (D902). This road had everything you want from a mountain route, with hairpins and gentle windings. The road didn’t provide and "cliff edge" driving, which was good as there was plenty of that to come. This was quite a highlight of the trip.
We arrived in Val around 10pm, and were promptly provided with a quick tour of the local Gendarme police station, complete with a signed certificate for only €90. Some might say this was a fine for not having a front number plate, but that's just negative thinking! By this time, I was cursing not having pre-booked a hotel, but we were lucky to find one (Hotel Mercure) still open for business and slept like a log.
Day2 - Val D'Isere to Monaco. Via Col D'Iseran and Route de Napoleon. 174miles
Awoke amazingly refreshed and raring to go. So after visiting the local shop for some double sided sticky tape, we attached the front plate and were off. Now the small scale of the mileage for this day made us think this was going to be a quick cruise, but infact it took yonks because of the route we opted for. Never underestimate how slowly you average speed through the mountain passes! The Col D'Iseran out of Val D'Isere is breathtaking. Quite literally infact as it peaks at just over 2750m. The route varys from stomach churning cliff edge, to windy in-mountain roads. Really enjoyed this road and probably the best road of the trip. The roads are excellent quality with new tarmac and the hairpins are easily negotiable without grounding. Nothing like as busy as the Stelvio Pass.
After descending, we continued our no-motorway route, and by chance took the Col du Galibier. Again, this road is an amazing moutain climb. I loved it for its variety from stunning greenery and hefty hairpins at the start to undulating windy roads through wide expanses of shingle near the top. Big hairpins with plenty of view of oncoming traffic meant lots of opportunity to have a laugh with getting the tail out on the corner! This road would have been my favourite of the trip were it not for number of cylists and other cars. There were plenty of overtaking opportunities however, so far from annoying.
Finally we came to Route Napoleon with high expectations. Sorry to say they were dashed. The road is good, but I wont revisit, as imo every other road I've mentioned so far has been miles better. To be honest the sheer length and repetitiveness of RN made it quite boring and I was wishing Nice to be closer. I'm glad I did it but wont return. Monaco is stunning. David Coulthard's (ex?) Hotel Columbus is not.
Day 3 - Monaco to Morbegno (Lake Como). 261miles
We arrived at the end of Day2 after bezzing around monaco for a bit. You really cant resist monaco in a ferrari; despite the sheer number of posh cars, everyone still looks at you. We got out of the car at Columbus and the porter approached. We looked thoroughly shabby, and combined with the fact that my overnight bag in the boot was an old Tesco carrier bag, I don’t know what they thought. Anyway we got an odd look from the Valet and entered the hotel. At that point our impression took another knock, as Tesco bag split and my pants fell out onto the floor. Nice. The hotel is nice enough, but they rip you off with the extras. €50 for breakfast. €25 for parking. €10 for a pint of lager. €60 for two chicken sandwiches and 2 bottles of Becks.
In the morning we drove the whole Monaco GP circuit a couple of times, drove past the Casino sq, then headed off for Italy. The trip up the hills out of Monaco is beautiful; amazing views of the sea and the city.
A vid of me driving the main hairpin and tunnel of Monaco GP.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=CNL__KfXUWU
Following the Cote D'Azur into Italy was great at first but a bit repetitive: tunnel-bridge-tunnel-bridge-tunnel-bridge… for yonks. We became bored of this and decided to shorten our journey time by increasing speed. I decided to use a local BMW in front as the pacesetter, thinking that he'd be the one that gets nabbed if we come across any Police. On a relatively open empty road, we suddenly flew past a copper in a hidden layby at well into 3figures, and on came the blue lights. Shat meself. Thought quite quickly and just round a bend, I nailed it into a service station layby. About 15 seconds later the copper came screaming past all guns blazing and off into the distance. I refuelled and took the very next exit off the motorway continuing the rest of my journey on small roads at very modest speed! Quite lucky really, because the countryside surrounding Milan is really quite beautiful. Drove through Lake Como but no accomodation available, so continued towards the Stelvio Pass and eventually found Hotel Bellevue in Morbegno.
Day4 - Morbegno to Frankfurt. 445miles, via Stelvio Pass and many others
The SS38 from Colico to Tirano is the main direct route from Como to the Stelvio Pass. It’s a main artery for the area and is incredibly busy. Expect nose to tail traffic the entire way, at what ever day or time you are travelling. The traffic doesn’t seem to go anywhere specific, its just that the odd car breaks off the road randomly every now and then.
The first mountain road was the Stelvio Pass. As with RN, we were expecting big things due to all the hype. Luckily this road lived up to it, and it was really incredible. There wasn’t the variety that we experienced in the previous roads mentioned, but the Pass managed to ensure that the continuous hairpins maintained your interest rather that ensuing boredom. This was aided by the odd tunnel and occasional straight. Plenty of tourists, but plenty of overtaking available, so they rarely hold you up. We went about 1pm on a Saturday, possibly the worst time but still had no issue with being held up.
A vid of the early sections of Stelvio
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5D7fNs2R41I
A vid of mid Stelvio with straights and tunnels
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=8FqkENPG0U4
A vid of the main hairpin section of Stelvio
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=i3tKKh0dmhw
A vid of the view of Stelvio from near top
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ic9vnyEXcBY
Once at the summit however I was much disappointed with the downward (Northeast-ward) journey. This side was awful. The road quality was very poor, and the hairpins were much tighter making it difficult and less fun to drive, and very often scraping/grounding would occur. If we werent heading north for any reason, I certainly wouldn’t go on this side of stelvio again; I'd just turn round and go back towards Bormio.
From the end of Stelio Pass, we headed towards Germany, and all of the roads were good each with their own attributes, but I imagine there arent many bad routes if you are sticking to small roads in the area. One in particular stood out however. This was the seemingly unamed road from Imst to Elmen via Pfafflar. What a Gem. Not particularly long but incredibly enjoyable. What I liked about this road was that after a brief climb through a forest you spend most of the road winding round the mountain on a level road. Lots of quick movement of the steering wheel, and up/down between 2nd/3rd gear. Very different to all the others as you're on a level and you can see where you're going, but you obviously are following the shape of the mountain. Then a quick trip back down the mountain to some blasts on wide open meadow expanses in the valley. Would very much go out of my way to go there again.
A vid of the Imst to Elmen drive:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=KFGn5hwT5Ro
From Elmen, we headed to Pfronten via Gran, where the roads continued to be carefree picturesque flat open stretches.
Not long into Germany on the first A road we came across the unmissable photo opportunity at the town of Wank.
Now on the Autobahns, and managed to work my confidence up until I eventually did a 178mph blast following an SL55. For those who havent been on the German network, it may seem like heaven, but we travelled the entire west motorway network and I now hate German roads because (a) The roads are mostly 2 lanes, (b) The roads are the worst quality surface in europe, (c) when it rains the water stays on the road like sheet glass, (d) immense scale of roadworks like ive never seen. Now (d) is obviously dealing with problems (a) to (c), so hope is in sight.
Arrived at hotel in frankfurt at about 9:30pm, where again the porters seems aghast at the lack of class from people exiting such a car.
Day5 - Frankfurt to London (via Hockenheim for the Grand Prix). 571miles
The Grand Prix was quality. The distance from parking to the track was huge, and I had to park in a corn field! Eek! It pissed it down all the way from Hockenheim to Holland, so never got any decent use of the unlimited autobahns, but was glad to finally get out of Germany onto some decent roads. It was very apparent, as soon as we reached Dutch soil, there were nice empty quality 3-laned motorways and this theme continued all the way through Belgium to Calais. Come on Germany; how hard can it be!! The ETA on the satnav was varying wildly, so I have no idea how it calculates the eta, but we made it just in time for the last Chunnel back to Blighty.
Final comments
- Ferraris arent fuel efficient.
nicely written up. I have just completed something similar (but longer) in two weeks. just sorting out pics/video and will post a write up.
one point I disagree on, we thought the drive up the Stelvio (the way you came down) was fantastic and much better (albeit less sweeping perhaps) than the section down to Bormio but perhaps it matters which way you do it?
one point I disagree on, we thought the drive up the Stelvio (the way you came down) was fantastic and much better (albeit less sweeping perhaps) than the section down to Bormio but perhaps it matters which way you do it?
mcgus said:
nicely written up. I have just completed something similar (but longer) in two weeks. just sorting out pics/video and will post a write up.
one point I disagree on, we thought the drive up the Stelvio (the way you came down) was fantastic and much better (albeit less sweeping perhaps) than the section down to Bormio but perhaps it matters which way you do it?
possibly. I suppose my main gripe was the road quality, the grounding of the car and the narrow corners which meant that you risked a collision on every corner if someone was nailing it the other way. This wasnt an issue on the other side. But then I always prefer going Up to going Down on any road.one point I disagree on, we thought the drive up the Stelvio (the way you came down) was fantastic and much better (albeit less sweeping perhaps) than the section down to Bormio but perhaps it matters which way you do it?
Really good post - interesting and informative. Gassing Station | Roads | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff