Euro driving trip...
Discussion
Hi all,
I’ve just bought a C63 amg estate and thought what better use aside from my 80 mile a day commute grind would be a blast across some of Europe.
I’ve have driven across Europe many times before but always on a car rally or for some reason against the clock. This time I’m planning on taking it easier so would appreciate any views/opinions/recommendations.
I’ve booked the first two nights and have a rough idea of the following three but nothing booked yet...
So ferry from Dover to Dunkirk arrive at 3 pm.
Day 1 - Dunkirk to Epernay (hotel booked)
Day 2 - Epernay to Lucerne (hotel booked)
Day 3 - Lucerne to around Lake Como. Any suggestions ideas??
Day 4 - Lake Como for the day?
Or
Day 4 - Lake Como to Lausanne via St Bernard Pass (I’m kinda fixed on the St Bernard Pass as I’ve done it a few times and love it but I’m open to suggestions)
Day 5 or 6 - Lausanne to Reims
Day 6 or 7 - Reims to Dunkirk to Lancaster.
Aside from needing an oil tanker to refuel me every 20 yards does anyone have any ideas to add or subtract? Is it too much. My partner hasn’t done a road trip like this and as I said, all my previous experiences have been very fast blasts to reach as many countries in a few day (nine in five days for example).
We really enjoy wine so I was aiming to find a nice vineyard that maybe offers accommodation so I can taste as well... but searching for them brings up odd looking websites that look like they’ve been created on FrontPage in late90s.
So I’m all ears/eyes on how my plan is or what I need to change or if anyone knows a nice place to wine taste and sleep...
We’re not worried about how nice the rooms are as long as they’re clean. When we arrive at a place we’ll be dumping bags and straight off for food/wine/people watching so the room is just somewhere to sleep.
I’ve just bought a C63 amg estate and thought what better use aside from my 80 mile a day commute grind would be a blast across some of Europe.
I’ve have driven across Europe many times before but always on a car rally or for some reason against the clock. This time I’m planning on taking it easier so would appreciate any views/opinions/recommendations.
I’ve booked the first two nights and have a rough idea of the following three but nothing booked yet...
So ferry from Dover to Dunkirk arrive at 3 pm.
Day 1 - Dunkirk to Epernay (hotel booked)
Day 2 - Epernay to Lucerne (hotel booked)
Day 3 - Lucerne to around Lake Como. Any suggestions ideas??
Day 4 - Lake Como for the day?
Or
Day 4 - Lake Como to Lausanne via St Bernard Pass (I’m kinda fixed on the St Bernard Pass as I’ve done it a few times and love it but I’m open to suggestions)
Day 5 or 6 - Lausanne to Reims
Day 6 or 7 - Reims to Dunkirk to Lancaster.
Aside from needing an oil tanker to refuel me every 20 yards does anyone have any ideas to add or subtract? Is it too much. My partner hasn’t done a road trip like this and as I said, all my previous experiences have been very fast blasts to reach as many countries in a few day (nine in five days for example).
We really enjoy wine so I was aiming to find a nice vineyard that maybe offers accommodation so I can taste as well... but searching for them brings up odd looking websites that look like they’ve been created on FrontPage in late90s.
So I’m all ears/eyes on how my plan is or what I need to change or if anyone knows a nice place to wine taste and sleep...
We’re not worried about how nice the rooms are as long as they’re clean. When we arrive at a place we’ll be dumping bags and straight off for food/wine/people watching so the room is just somewhere to sleep.
Deesee said:
Looks Good,
Would look to spend an extra day in Lucerne.. V.NICE...
Como to Lausanne, you can go via Simplon (E62 on Map), the region here is the wine region for the Swiss (im told), you also have the thermal spas at Brig, drove Jura to Garda last summer (on way to holidays), easiest way through Switzerland to date, with amazing views.
With your car I would certainly look to have a blast up the German A5 to North Black Forest, Baden Baden, or across to Strasbourg, most of it is "unrestricted" with only a few "suggested" 130kph stretches give it a chance to stretch its legs, and get some 100 octane fuel..
Sounds daft but make sure your recovery/breakdown is very comprehensive! including car return to the UK.
Tolltickets.com so you can pre order Vignettes, and Radar Toll Passes for the Auto tolls.
We tend to book hotels as we go rather than pre book, as you may wish to stay longer, or you may have bad weather coming in where a two/three hour blast somewhere else could result in a better stay.
Have a great time!
Many thanks for the reply Would look to spend an extra day in Lucerne.. V.NICE...
Como to Lausanne, you can go via Simplon (E62 on Map), the region here is the wine region for the Swiss (im told), you also have the thermal spas at Brig, drove Jura to Garda last summer (on way to holidays), easiest way through Switzerland to date, with amazing views.
With your car I would certainly look to have a blast up the German A5 to North Black Forest, Baden Baden, or across to Strasbourg, most of it is "unrestricted" with only a few "suggested" 130kph stretches give it a chance to stretch its legs, and get some 100 octane fuel..
Sounds daft but make sure your recovery/breakdown is very comprehensive! including car return to the UK.
Tolltickets.com so you can pre order Vignettes, and Radar Toll Passes for the Auto tolls.
We tend to book hotels as we go rather than pre book, as you may wish to stay longer, or you may have bad weather coming in where a two/three hour blast somewhere else could result in a better stay.
Have a great time!
Totally forgot about pre-ordering the toll roads! Top tip!
I'll have a look on the maps at your suggestions too.
Thanks again for the replies. I’ll certianly do a bit more research.
I’ve done the whole autobahn thing (topped out in an ep3 and fd2) and to be honest it’s not what I’m looking for on this trip.
I’m more concerned that I’m still squeezing too much mileage into the trip that it won’t be relaxing if that makes sense? My gf hasn’t seen the Swiss/Italian border which I think is amazing. I do like Lucerne and Epernay for a bit of fizz tasting. She wants to see Lake Como. The rest we’re open to.
She’s never done a driving tour and I don’t want to put her off by setting off at 8am and arriving at 8pm after going flat out and not enjoying anywhere...and thanks for reply Yipper but on this occasion it’s definitly not what I’m after. Plus having done Monaco a few times it doesn’t do anything for me apart from the drive into and out of the place.
Does anyone know of a vineyard/BB to try on the way back up? Do they exist?
I’ve done the whole autobahn thing (topped out in an ep3 and fd2) and to be honest it’s not what I’m looking for on this trip.
I’m more concerned that I’m still squeezing too much mileage into the trip that it won’t be relaxing if that makes sense? My gf hasn’t seen the Swiss/Italian border which I think is amazing. I do like Lucerne and Epernay for a bit of fizz tasting. She wants to see Lake Como. The rest we’re open to.
She’s never done a driving tour and I don’t want to put her off by setting off at 8am and arriving at 8pm after going flat out and not enjoying anywhere...and thanks for reply Yipper but on this occasion it’s definitly not what I’m after. Plus having done Monaco a few times it doesn’t do anything for me apart from the drive into and out of the place.
Does anyone know of a vineyard/BB to try on the way back up? Do they exist?
Edited by hondafanatic on Tuesday 20th February 09:11
havoc said:
hondafanatic said:
Hi all,
I’ve just bought a C63 amg estate...
Git! That is all... I’ve just bought a C63 amg estate...
havoc said:
Back on-topic, we enjoyed the villages above the Cote d'Azur, and driving around the Alps in general was stunningly beautiful and there was always somewhere to stop-off at.
- From an overnight in Lyon we did Grenoble (st traffic) / Briancon / Embrun (lovely moules/frites for lunch watching the mountains most definitely not-go-by) / Digne in one day before arriving in St Paul de Vence.
- Second year we did an overnight in northern France before doing Switzerland (Sustenpass / Grimselpass + 1 other great road) / Lugano (st traffic) arrive mid-afternoon at Como (Tremezzo).
Both were two fairly long days driving with a few days 'static' once we got there. You may want to break it up a little more.
- From an overnight in Lyon we did Grenoble (st traffic) / Briancon / Embrun (lovely moules/frites for lunch watching the mountains most definitely not-go-by) / Digne in one day before arriving in St Paul de Vence.
- Second year we did an overnight in northern France before doing Switzerland (Sustenpass / Grimselpass + 1 other great road) / Lugano (st traffic) arrive mid-afternoon at Como (Tremezzo).
Both were two fairly long days driving with a few days 'static' once we got there. You may want to break it up a little more.
Like I say, the only things we've got booked are the ferry, Epernay and Lucerne. Maybe we don't head for Como and stay more within France?
Any strong opinions on where best to see the Alps etc for a first timer (i.e. the gf)? I was thinking maybe Schilthorn as I've been up to where they filmed the James Bond film a couple of times and enjoyed it.
I think I'm coming across a bit vague but it's been nearly ten years since I've done a Euro tour and even then it was a case of following the Sat Nav with preplanned destinations. I think I've forgotten most of it and want to make sure the gf has a good introduction to this kind of holiday and wants to do it again.
Quikcurl said:
Deesee said:
We tend to book hotels as we go rather than pre book, as you may wish to stay longer, or you may have bad weather coming in where a two/three hour blast somewhere else could result in a better stay.
Yes, I'd echo this - if it were me, I'd see how your partner was feeling about another day in the car when you get to Lucerne or Como and make a decision then based on either heading further away, staying put for a day, or even heading back a bit to reduce the travel time for the remaining days. It sounds like you're well used to long days in the car, but she may not be so keen! That said, Lake Como is lovely, go there!
Hopefully whatever you do, she'll enjoy it and, like us, you'll start planning the next trip before you even get home
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