Europe Driving, help needed

[Fat Boy Chim]

Hi all,

I am planning a little road trip this year, me and a friend are planning to spend 4 / 5 days driving the chim around Europe, but this is a 1st for me, a few pointers would be appreciated (or roads / routes / towns to visit etc)

I would like to drive through, (starting In Brittany) France (poss Italy), Switzerland, Austria & Germany.

Am i being optermistic given my time scale? Or can any one reccomend a route, not looking for thrills and spills, just good roads, good views, good hospitality and a good excuse to return for a longer time!!!!

Recommended books or maps would help too.

Thanks in advance....

FBC

[DonnyMac]

Search here for 'Harsh'

He's a top chap and organises such things (+ official PH hoon organiser) - he'll happily give you some top tips without selling you on one of his trips.

He also organises the monthly meet at the ACE which you can find in Events Meetings & Travel - all round top chap.

No, I'm not ghey.

D.

[sassthathoopie]

4-5 days is optimistic in my opinion. Definitely if starting in Brittany.

Last year I did a 12 day trip including a 4 day stop over in Austria. We took a ferry to Calais. From the there take the autoroute to Reims. Come off heading south ish via Troyes. It's quite obvious on the map and is a traditional EVO route. V high speed straight sections interspersed with quiet villages and vineyards.

We crossed Switzerland heading for the San Bernard pass (see my pistonheads tv entry "On days like these - NSX). Alternatively stay overnight in Beaune and then spend two days doing the Route Napoleon to Monaco. I usually stay in Dignes les Bain. The road gets ever better the further south you go. Avoid peak summer months though.

Col du Turini (north side in particular) above Monaco is awesome. Corniche road from Monaco towards Genoa is gods gift to tunnel running.

The Italian lakes are pretty but roads aren't hoonable.

Stelvio pass is a great experience. We drove up from the Italian side starting about 5ish in the evening and got a clear run, but it is often busy.

Every road in Austria is incredibly smooth and urges you to break the speed limits. There are some great sections but too many to list.

Next time I go I will visit the Dolomites in NE Italy. EVO held a supercar group test there and the pictures were inspiring, plus the roads look great on the map.

We went home via Bavaria (Porsche museum?). Autobahns north at a high speed cruise. The Nurburgring and Spa are obvious attractions.

We chose to visit Bastogne in Belgium - scene of the Battle of the Bulge. As fans of Band of Brothers we bivouaced in foxholes overlooking Foy that were occupied by Easy company, 506th of 101 Airborne. Paschendale was also a sobering place to visit.


Enjoy!

[Ribol]

Fat Boy Chim said:

I am planning a little road trip this year, me and a friend are planning to spend 4 / 5 days driving the chim around Europe, but this is a 1st for me, a few pointers would be appreciated (or roads / routes / towns to visit etc)

I would like to drive through, (starting In Brittany) France (poss Italy), Switzerland, Austria & Germany.

Am i being optermistic given my time scale?

I have done all those countries in one trip a few times, it can be done in that time but I would say you are being optimistic if you want to enjoy it. I have done over 700 miles in a day in my Chim but you could hardly call it a relaxing day.

That sort of trip needs at least a week or 10 days IMO to enjoy it, in which case you will have a brilliant hoon.

Anyone mentioned Stelvio yet

[cloggy]

Just one little tip, make sure you drive on t'other side of the road.

[Cider Andy]

Check the Chimaera Pages website for a pretty comprehensive list of stuff to take with you.

[Ribol]

cloggy said:

Just one little tip, make sure you drive on t'other side of the road.

Excellent tip - this is the sort of advice that makes PH so much better than other resources.