Is my road trip stupid?
Discussion
I've been caring for my seriously ill mother for a few years, which meant I could only do things which included her, and it also means that my opportunity to have a holiday has been seriously curtailed. Out last holiday was a road trip to the South of France in 2018, a place that both of us loved to spend time, usually hanging out around Ste. Maxime or Cap Ferrat. After that she became far too unwell to travel and so we didn't go far.
Mum passed away in March, and I'm really struggling to cope with her loss. I'm soon to be 48 and don't have any family of my own. I had to stop working full time in 2019 to give mum the care she needed, and I only resumed work in June year - new company and new role. I have two weeks holiday coming up at the end of the week. The opportunity to take the time off has come as a bit of a surprise, so I don't have any plans but I'm absolutely gagging for a break and with such short notice, a road trip seems to be on the cards.
I've done a lot of France with mum (she was French educated so knew what each region was famous for) and I've done the East coast of Spain down as far as Valencia as well as spending some time in Madrid. I used to live in Hamburg for 18 months so I know the country fairly well and never bothered to go to the 'ring - I guess motorsport doesn't really interest me nearly as much as touring. I love to follow my nose, discovering amazing driving roads, foodie treasures, caves, old castles, art galleries, things like that. Lying on the beach isn't too interesting, especially since I'm travelling alone.
So I've been thinking about Italy. I've been skiing in the Alps there, and spent a bit of time in Milan for work not that long ago. But I've never been further south than Genoa. I'd love to visit Florence and Rome, and perhaps go a bit further south. Out of my four cars, two are suitable for making the trip. My 20-year-old 330Ci is off the road with head gasket failure and I don't know if I'll ever get around to fixing it. And my 30-year-old 730i is my daily but it needs a suspension refresh and new tyres before I could take it on a long trip. That leaves my 2014 Boxster S which would lap up such a trip, but doesn't have reclining seats for when I need a lie down after a few hours of driving. Or mum's fairly low miles 2006 A4 Avant. Which I suppose I should stop referring to as mum's. :'( Either one would eat up the miles, but I know which would be more fun in the Alps, cyclists aside!
But my head keeps telling me it would be a much better use of my limited time and budget to fly down to Florence and rent a car for any further exploration. I do love an episode of Harry's garage where he'll take some bit of exotica on a road trip down to somewhere nice in Europe, stay two nights and then head home again. For him it's all about the trip. But I'm not as well off as him. I avoid driving the Boxster whenever there's long boring motorway driving involved because it's a bit loud and quite unforgiving. You can't relax for a second. And it keeps the mileage low. But when you get to the mountainous bits, what could be better?
Florence is 1000 miles from home, and if I head down to the south, that could easily stretch to 1500 miles each way. One of my best friends said she'd join me, but doesn't want anything to do with sitting in a car for hours. She'd fly and meet up with me. But I'm not sure she'd enjoy my wanderings - she probably would rather go somewhere and spend the time in a villa!
So what would you do?
1. Fly, and hire a car if needed (it will be needed)
2. Take the A4- at least it will be comfortable
3. Take the Boxster, but don't go as far.
4. Take the Boxster and keep going - mileage spent on a road trip is always worth it!
5. Italy? Why not go somewhere else? (You must say where you'd go and why)
Also - I've also only ever been to Scotland once, for a day to Glasgow. Is this a good time of year to do the NC500?
Edited to add: My new job is with a Paris-based company. I've never met any of my colleagues in the flesh, and thought I might stop off in Paris on the way home to visit the office and meet some people. WFH is all well and good, but out of sight, out of mind as they say. It would be good to meet my manager and perhaps a few colleagues!
Mum passed away in March, and I'm really struggling to cope with her loss. I'm soon to be 48 and don't have any family of my own. I had to stop working full time in 2019 to give mum the care she needed, and I only resumed work in June year - new company and new role. I have two weeks holiday coming up at the end of the week. The opportunity to take the time off has come as a bit of a surprise, so I don't have any plans but I'm absolutely gagging for a break and with such short notice, a road trip seems to be on the cards.
I've done a lot of France with mum (she was French educated so knew what each region was famous for) and I've done the East coast of Spain down as far as Valencia as well as spending some time in Madrid. I used to live in Hamburg for 18 months so I know the country fairly well and never bothered to go to the 'ring - I guess motorsport doesn't really interest me nearly as much as touring. I love to follow my nose, discovering amazing driving roads, foodie treasures, caves, old castles, art galleries, things like that. Lying on the beach isn't too interesting, especially since I'm travelling alone.
So I've been thinking about Italy. I've been skiing in the Alps there, and spent a bit of time in Milan for work not that long ago. But I've never been further south than Genoa. I'd love to visit Florence and Rome, and perhaps go a bit further south. Out of my four cars, two are suitable for making the trip. My 20-year-old 330Ci is off the road with head gasket failure and I don't know if I'll ever get around to fixing it. And my 30-year-old 730i is my daily but it needs a suspension refresh and new tyres before I could take it on a long trip. That leaves my 2014 Boxster S which would lap up such a trip, but doesn't have reclining seats for when I need a lie down after a few hours of driving. Or mum's fairly low miles 2006 A4 Avant. Which I suppose I should stop referring to as mum's. :'( Either one would eat up the miles, but I know which would be more fun in the Alps, cyclists aside!
But my head keeps telling me it would be a much better use of my limited time and budget to fly down to Florence and rent a car for any further exploration. I do love an episode of Harry's garage where he'll take some bit of exotica on a road trip down to somewhere nice in Europe, stay two nights and then head home again. For him it's all about the trip. But I'm not as well off as him. I avoid driving the Boxster whenever there's long boring motorway driving involved because it's a bit loud and quite unforgiving. You can't relax for a second. And it keeps the mileage low. But when you get to the mountainous bits, what could be better?
Florence is 1000 miles from home, and if I head down to the south, that could easily stretch to 1500 miles each way. One of my best friends said she'd join me, but doesn't want anything to do with sitting in a car for hours. She'd fly and meet up with me. But I'm not sure she'd enjoy my wanderings - she probably would rather go somewhere and spend the time in a villa!
So what would you do?
1. Fly, and hire a car if needed (it will be needed)
2. Take the A4- at least it will be comfortable
3. Take the Boxster, but don't go as far.
4. Take the Boxster and keep going - mileage spent on a road trip is always worth it!
5. Italy? Why not go somewhere else? (You must say where you'd go and why)
Also - I've also only ever been to Scotland once, for a day to Glasgow. Is this a good time of year to do the NC500?
Edited to add: My new job is with a Paris-based company. I've never met any of my colleagues in the flesh, and thought I might stop off in Paris on the way home to visit the office and meet some people. WFH is all well and good, but out of sight, out of mind as they say. It would be good to meet my manager and perhaps a few colleagues!
Edited by LunarOne on Monday 12th September 17:54
Firstly, sorry for your loss.
All road trips are stupid - you can see Italy on the television or internet so there’s no “need” to go there.
Should you go? Hell, yes.
Should you take the Boxster? Yes
Putting a few thousand miles on it will probably do it and you the world of good. You’ll have a much more memorable journey in a special car (possibly report it here).
Best of luck
All road trips are stupid - you can see Italy on the television or internet so there’s no “need” to go there.
Should you go? Hell, yes.
Should you take the Boxster? Yes
Putting a few thousand miles on it will probably do it and you the world of good. You’ll have a much more memorable journey in a special car (possibly report it here).
Best of luck
DS129 said:
How about northern Spain?
Portsmouth to Santander, 24 hours on board and you are there.
Lots of excellent driving roads, light traffic and plenty of hotels
This, then drive to Italy, across the Pyrennees and through the south of France. Stop in Monaco and laugh at the plastic bathtubs and plastic wPortsmouth to Santander, 24 hours on board and you are there.
Lots of excellent driving roads, light traffic and plenty of hotels
es on them. Skirt around the coast to Italy, head down for a proper trip.Who cares about the miles?
I would like to add my condolences to you. Looking after anybody full time is hard especially as it was your mother, hats off to you for stepping up to a task many of us could not do.
As for the trip, yes do it. If you fancy Italy take the Boxster, drive through France, Call in at Mulhouse and visit the Schlump collection there, into Switzerland and down into Italy. Fantastic roads, views
Whatever you decide have a great time
As for the trip, yes do it. If you fancy Italy take the Boxster, drive through France, Call in at Mulhouse and visit the Schlump collection there, into Switzerland and down into Italy. Fantastic roads, views
Whatever you decide have a great time
My condolences too.
I became my mother's carer during the COVID years as she went down hill with Parkinsons. I know how hard and draining it is. I know your mother would have appreciated what you did and the sacrifices you made.
I think if you took the comfy Audi as soon as you found the twisty roads you would wonder where the hell your Boxster is !!
If you fancy Italy, go to Italy. Drive to/ through Switzerland ?
I became my mother's carer during the COVID years as she went down hill with Parkinsons. I know how hard and draining it is. I know your mother would have appreciated what you did and the sacrifices you made.
I think if you took the comfy Audi as soon as you found the twisty roads you would wonder where the hell your Boxster is !!
If you fancy Italy, go to Italy. Drive to/ through Switzerland ?
Miserablegit said:
Firstly, sorry for your loss.
All road trips are stupid - you can see Italy on the television or internet so there’s no “need” to go there.
Should you go? Hell, yes.
Should you take the Boxster? Yes
Putting a few thousand miles on it will probably do it and you the world of good. You’ll have a much more memorable journey in a special car (possibly report it here).
Best of luck
100% this - kip at the hotels.All road trips are stupid - you can see Italy on the television or internet so there’s no “need” to go there.
Should you go? Hell, yes.
Should you take the Boxster? Yes
Putting a few thousand miles on it will probably do it and you the world of good. You’ll have a much more memorable journey in a special car (possibly report it here).
Best of luck
Sorry for your loss.
This was the trip I did in my Boxster a few years ago - was no issue whatsoever
Home to Folkestone Tunnel
Channel Tunnel
Calais to Beaune
Beaune to Interlaken
Interlaken to Rome
Rome to Lake Como
Lake Como to Lucerne
Lucerne to Paris
Paris to Channel Tunnel
Channel Tunnel
Folkstone to Home
PM me for hotels etc!
This was the trip I did in my Boxster a few years ago - was no issue whatsoever
Home to Folkestone Tunnel
Channel Tunnel
Calais to Beaune
Beaune to Interlaken
Interlaken to Rome
Rome to Lake Como
Lake Como to Lucerne
Lucerne to Paris
Paris to Channel Tunnel
Channel Tunnel
Folkstone to Home
PM me for hotels etc!
Edited by JohnnyUK on Monday 12th September 19:06
I’ve done a similar trip a couple of times following the Mille Miglia around Italy. I was in a 997. As long as you accept that the journey through France to the MB tunnel it’s a necessary evil and treat it as such then it’s ok. I usually break that bit of the journey up with an overnight stop in a Campanile in Troyes or Reims.
Get yourself a peage tag for the autoroute.
These are harder to find for the Italian autostradas which are pretty much unavoidable on the route you describe if you want to make progress. Not all of Italy is picture postcard pretty and you’ll want to be clearing those bits quickly.
It’s a great country though with some amazing towns and villages and very welcoming hospitable people.
Avoid Florence in the rush hour. Been there done that. Siena is amazing for an overnight halt.
We did 2700 miles in 10 days. Super unleaded was way more expensive than the UK (this was in June) so budget accordingly.
I also did the ferry to Santander, across northern Spain then back up through France trip this year. Also recommended and if anything it’s more relaxing than the Italian trip. Horses for courses really.
Don’t fret about taking the Boxster. I did a road trip to Italy in an aeroscreened Caterham once. After that anything is comfortable over a long distance.
Get yourself a peage tag for the autoroute.
These are harder to find for the Italian autostradas which are pretty much unavoidable on the route you describe if you want to make progress. Not all of Italy is picture postcard pretty and you’ll want to be clearing those bits quickly.
It’s a great country though with some amazing towns and villages and very welcoming hospitable people.
Avoid Florence in the rush hour. Been there done that. Siena is amazing for an overnight halt.
We did 2700 miles in 10 days. Super unleaded was way more expensive than the UK (this was in June) so budget accordingly.
I also did the ferry to Santander, across northern Spain then back up through France trip this year. Also recommended and if anything it’s more relaxing than the Italian trip. Horses for courses really.
Don’t fret about taking the Boxster. I did a road trip to Italy in an aeroscreened Caterham once. After that anything is comfortable over a long distance.
+1 for hotels.
Only other piece of advice is don’t dwell on the past. Be happy that she lived and live in peace knowing you had her for as long as you did. Keep your mindset positive and you’ll have a lot more fun on your trip.
Lots of people don’t get their mum for 48 years. Keep positive mate.
Only other piece of advice is don’t dwell on the past. Be happy that she lived and live in peace knowing you had her for as long as you did. Keep your mindset positive and you’ll have a lot more fun on your trip.
Lots of people don’t get their mum for 48 years. Keep positive mate.
Feel similar. Lost a few family members over the last few years and it’s taken a little toil on me. I have a supportive family which will s a major, major help but I’ve always had a hankering ti do a road trip down to Italy.
I’m the only driver in my family and they wouldn’t be interested in a road trip anyway so I’m thinking of taking a few weeks to myself and doing Italy by way of northern France so I can do some D-Day stuff that they’re also not interested in.
Do it op in the Porsche. You’ll have a blast.
I’m the only driver in my family and they wouldn’t be interested in a road trip anyway so I’m thinking of taking a few weeks to myself and doing Italy by way of northern France so I can do some D-Day stuff that they’re also not interested in.
Do it op in the Porsche. You’ll have a blast.
Giulia Jon said:
First post ,be nice .
No road trip across the channel is stupid .
A trip to Italy is a no brainer .
You own a Porsche ,go via Stuttgart ,then drop down through Austria to Italy ,avoids all of tolls in France .
Buy a 10 day Austria Vignette , about 10 euros .
Yes, the Porsche Museum and Factory tour are very goodNo road trip across the channel is stupid .
A trip to Italy is a no brainer .
You own a Porsche ,go via Stuttgart ,then drop down through Austria to Italy ,avoids all of tolls in France .
Buy a 10 day Austria Vignette , about 10 euros .
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff