Euro road trip - leg 1 (Alsace, France)

[Boxster5]

Well the first part of our road trip is nearing the end. DFDS ferry from Newcastle to Ijmuiden, Holland - absolutely first class, smooth crossing departing early (how many times does that happen flying?), cheap beer (€5 pint Heineken), great live entertainment & good buffet breakfast setting us up nicely for the day. Lots of bikers & car enthusiasts on board either travelling over to Europe or Dutch/Germans returning from Scottish & Irish road trips.
A 700km trip through Holland, Germany & into France for our first stop in Obernai. Great Airbnb with garage underneath for the car located in the centre of town. The 718 is unbelievably economical when you want it to be (just under 41mpg with 46mpg showing before we hit the autobahns!)
In our 5 day stay, amongst others we’ve been to Strasbourg (by train), Natzweller nazi concentration camp & popped across the German border into Baden-Baden.
Not our first European road trip by any stretch (we love them) & definitely what this car is meant for.
Next stop Andermatt to do some of the Swiss mountain passes!

[Boxster5]

tozerman said:

Sounds like what a good European road trip should be..
Very jealous of your trip and car..

We have just got back from Italy (by car) and although I enjoyed it my patience was tested to the limit by Italian loonatics, Swiss Road works, French lorry/car drivers and to top it all off the misery of the M25 and M1 on Friday.

Thanks - we did a similar trip in 2018 but incorporated Route Napoleon down to the Cote D’Azur then back up through Italy through Switzerland & into Alsace (3,000 miles, 8 countries).
I agree the Italians are lunatics but Cote D’Azur was equally taxing with bikes & mopeds trying to squeeze through gaps that weren’t there. What makes me laugh is the Swiss who are so law abiding, but as soon as they are out of their own country they drive like maniacs (particular Audi RS drivers for some reason!)
We’ve had the displeasure of the M25 & M1 once when the M11 was closed & decided on the ferry from Newcastle instead (it’s on our doorstep). This trip was supposed to happen in 2020 for our 60th but COVID screwed that!