Help Please - Euro Tour Planning
Discussion
Good old Covid impacted my chance of a 50th celebration, so I am now planning an epic euro road trip in 2025 for my 55th birthday.
Doing lots of research but would welcome advice if you have been to some of the locations and sampled the local tarmac, as I try to stitch together a route.
High level plan is dock in Santander then;
Northern Spain, Picos/ Pyrenees, Andorra, across the south of France, Monaco, Italy with a few nights in Tuscany.
After recharging the batteries (human) Italian Lakes, alps pass, Switzerland, Germany hopefully through the Black Forest, Spa and back to the channel.
Any suggestions of must drive sections of road along this direction of travel, and places to stay would be much appreciated.
Thinking a good days driving (6 hrs behind the wheel) venue to venue followed by a more relaxed day exploring, staying a couple of nights at each location.
TIA
Doing lots of research but would welcome advice if you have been to some of the locations and sampled the local tarmac, as I try to stitch together a route.
High level plan is dock in Santander then;
Northern Spain, Picos/ Pyrenees, Andorra, across the south of France, Monaco, Italy with a few nights in Tuscany.
After recharging the batteries (human) Italian Lakes, alps pass, Switzerland, Germany hopefully through the Black Forest, Spa and back to the channel.
Any suggestions of must drive sections of road along this direction of travel, and places to stay would be much appreciated.
Thinking a good days driving (6 hrs behind the wheel) venue to venue followed by a more relaxed day exploring, staying a couple of nights at each location.
TIA
Hi.
A few of recommendations:
- if you’re considering going to Como area, take a look at Albergo Lenno hotel - quiet, great location, there’s a passenger ferry jetty right outside (for boats across Lake Como), reasonably priced, great restaurants nearby.
- the roads up to the Furka Pass are wonderful, and it’s worth a stop at the nearby Rhone glacier.
- if you’re going on Swiss motorways, buy a vignette (windscreen sticker), available in most petrol stations as soon as you get into Switzerland, for EUR 40 (and avoid a EUR 200 fine if you don’t!).
- if you can route accordingly, the road beside the Moselle from Cochem to Mehring is wonderful, and Trier is worth an overnight stop.
A few of recommendations:
- if you’re considering going to Como area, take a look at Albergo Lenno hotel - quiet, great location, there’s a passenger ferry jetty right outside (for boats across Lake Como), reasonably priced, great restaurants nearby.
- the roads up to the Furka Pass are wonderful, and it’s worth a stop at the nearby Rhone glacier.
- if you’re going on Swiss motorways, buy a vignette (windscreen sticker), available in most petrol stations as soon as you get into Switzerland, for EUR 40 (and avoid a EUR 200 fine if you don’t!).
- if you can route accordingly, the road beside the Moselle from Cochem to Mehring is wonderful, and Trier is worth an overnight stop.
I did the reverse in 2017 in a Caterham - down through France (route des grandes alpes), across to the pyrenees and back from Bilbao. If you're planning bits of Italy, Switzerland and the Picos too, you'd probably want at least 3 weeks - my trip was 2 weeks and 200ish miles a day (although nearer 400 for the first couple running down on autoroute to the good roads). The Alps have the better scenery, the Pyrenees the better driving. N260 all along the Spanish side is great pretty much wherever, with the run from Urtx to Ripoll possibly being one of the best roads I've ever driven. Also make sure you fit in the C28 from Vielha to Sort. The French side tends to be tighter and more techincal.
I had a couple of days in Bagneres du Luchon and did some circular drives, it's a good location with a selection of eateries and hostelries.
Andorra not really worth the hassle, border control both ways which can hold you up, and not that much scenery.
If you want a decent cabin, get the ferry booked as soon as bookings open (IIRC usually around September time for next year).
I had a couple of days in Bagneres du Luchon and did some circular drives, it's a good location with a selection of eateries and hostelries.
Andorra not really worth the hassle, border control both ways which can hold you up, and not that much scenery.
If you want a decent cabin, get the ferry booked as soon as bookings open (IIRC usually around September time for next year).
Edited by jont- on Monday 11th March 08:25
If you do find yourself in lake Como I can recommend 'Hotel Il Perlo Panorama'. Bellagio was way to expensive and this hotel has a wonderful view over the lakes (much nicer than the 2star rating implies).
Also worth considering Hotel Alpsu if your'e passing through Dissentis/Switzerland (although no parking immediately outside hotel).
Some fantastic driving roads in that region
Also worth considering Hotel Alpsu if your'e passing through Dissentis/Switzerland (although no parking immediately outside hotel).
Some fantastic driving roads in that region
Spain is quite simply epic in an Alpine, endless options of places to go !! We did Santander to Andora and back over 7 days, did a 45 min pass stint one day that pretty much felt like a track day, deserted roads, billiard table black top and mucho bends !!!
Edited by Simon Owen on Monday 11th March 19:51
Edited by Simon Owen on Monday 11th March 20:06
Thanks for the suggestions, and the inspiring photography.
We’ve initially planned to do it over 3 weeks, hopefully this is enough time to do it justice.
I read recently that taking the main roads across the south of France can be a bit of a chore. Some suggested venturing further north and finding a less direct route. Any experiences in that area?
Will probably need to interject with detours to the coast, Mrs would like to go to Cannes, I have to drive the roads of Monaco.
Anyway, today should be a good day, off to pick up my A110.😀
We’ve initially planned to do it over 3 weeks, hopefully this is enough time to do it justice.
I read recently that taking the main roads across the south of France can be a bit of a chore. Some suggested venturing further north and finding a less direct route. Any experiences in that area?
Will probably need to interject with detours to the coast, Mrs would like to go to Cannes, I have to drive the roads of Monaco.
Anyway, today should be a good day, off to pick up my A110.😀
If you are in the south of France, the better roads are up in the hills a bit further inland. Cannes, Monaco and Nice etc are great to visit but we found the traffic near to the sea miserably busy with slow moving poseurs!
We did Bilbao > Leon > Porto > Pau a couple of years ago. It's a fair slog between Porto and Pau but the Spanish autoroutes have very light traffic.
If you are going in later july, be aware that the traffic heading towards the Spanish border from France is horrendous as what feels like all of France goes on holiday for August. You should be ok travelling east or north at that time!
We did Bilbao > Leon > Porto > Pau a couple of years ago. It's a fair slog between Porto and Pau but the Spanish autoroutes have very light traffic.
If you are going in later july, be aware that the traffic heading towards the Spanish border from France is horrendous as what feels like all of France goes on holiday for August. You should be ok travelling east or north at that time!
I did the Timmelsjoch pass from Austria to Italy last year and really enjoyed it. It is a payroad and there is a large motorcycle museum at the top. Como is wonderful but the roads are hugely busy so it is something for the views rather than the driving.
Regarding the Swiss motorway pass, you can now buy them online as well. I bought mine sat in the hotel in Como as we had not planned on going into Switzerland but friends invited us to visit last minute. Personally the French and Austrian alps interest me more. Enjoy your trip.
Regarding the Swiss motorway pass, you can now buy them online as well. I bought mine sat in the hotel in Como as we had not planned on going into Switzerland but friends invited us to visit last minute. Personally the French and Austrian alps interest me more. Enjoy your trip.
Simon Owen said:
Spain is quite simply epic in an Alpine, endless options of places to go !! We did Santander to Andora and back over 7 days, did a 45 min pass stint one day that pretty much felt like a track day, deserted roads, billiard table black top and mucho bends !!!
ooooh nice picsEdited by Simon Owen on Monday 11th March 19:51
Edited by Simon Owen on Monday 11th March 20:06
If you're doing Como go up the Eastern side of the lake to stay in Varenna and get the ferry across to Menaggio, Tremezzo, Lenno and Como. Its dual carriageway that side so no traffic problems and overall the prettier side. Bellagio you probably need to see but its just a tourist trap. A quick stop on the ferry at most.
CLK-GTR said:
If you're doing Como go up the Eastern side of the lake to stay in Varenna and get the ferry across to Menaggio, Tremezzo, Lenno and Como. Its dual carriageway that side so no traffic problems and overall the prettier side. Bellagio you probably need to see but it’s just a tourist trap. A quick stop on the ferry at most.
Seconded! Youve picked the right areas with fantastic roads. My observation ,as someone who's planned many Europe road trips for 2 different car clubs, is to perhaps be a little less ambitious in scale and daily driving time?
Ive found from experience is to limit daily driving to around 4 hours hours, 250km/160m. This gives you time for rest breaks, impromptu stops or diversions for something interesting, and a little time to soak up a little of the daily destination vibes etc. Obviously some days will be longer, like getting there drives, or to fit into a schedule, but driving about 6 hours day, even with odd rest days is quite tiring.
We've done all those areas separately, over periods of 10 days to a fortnight. Generally speaking longer than that also detracts from the experience. But everyone is different, you may be fine with more driving. I was sometimes, but the consensus amongst our tour groups was along the lines above, which has certainly made some memorable trips for all the right reasons.
Ive found from experience is to limit daily driving to around 4 hours hours, 250km/160m. This gives you time for rest breaks, impromptu stops or diversions for something interesting, and a little time to soak up a little of the daily destination vibes etc. Obviously some days will be longer, like getting there drives, or to fit into a schedule, but driving about 6 hours day, even with odd rest days is quite tiring.
We've done all those areas separately, over periods of 10 days to a fortnight. Generally speaking longer than that also detracts from the experience. But everyone is different, you may be fine with more driving. I was sometimes, but the consensus amongst our tour groups was along the lines above, which has certainly made some memorable trips for all the right reasons.
YMMV and I think it depends whether you're in a group wanting time to socialise and sight see or not. In 2019 I did nearly 4000 miles in 2 weeks, still in a Caterham. 200 miles a day was comfortable-short, 250 doable, much more than that on back to back days was tiring. Also depends whether you're having to think about packing up every day or staying in the same place for a few nights. On my own, there wasn't much point having non-driving time to socialise, so on the road by 9am, quick stop for lunch, arriving maybe 5-6pm worked fine.
Also probably depends what you're used to. If you're not used to doing a full days driving then I agree keeping it shorter makes sense, and similarly if you're not used to technical roads, then that's another level of challenge too.
Also probably depends what you're used to. If you're not used to doing a full days driving then I agree keeping it shorter makes sense, and similarly if you're not used to technical roads, then that's another level of challenge too.
I personally am ok with lots of seat time (endurance racing and 2.5 hour stints got me used to that).
SHMBO less so, the compromise is a full day driving, 2 nights at an accommodation venue, with the day following driving, a more relaxed, sight seeing, long lunches type of arrangement.
I need to keep her relaxed and refreshed as she'll be my overtaking spotter.
SHMBO less so, the compromise is a full day driving, 2 nights at an accommodation venue, with the day following driving, a more relaxed, sight seeing, long lunches type of arrangement.
I need to keep her relaxed and refreshed as she'll be my overtaking spotter.
Just out of interest, does anyone know the roads/locations where the two Alpine A110 Carfection videos were shot?
A110S
https://youtu.be/hLVZ-SFgrys?si=b9VvdFVLRgyB0L4X
A110Premier
https://youtu.be/tROkW3iWhek?si=AI-3Az-nHe3VQsMo
A110S
https://youtu.be/hLVZ-SFgrys?si=b9VvdFVLRgyB0L4X
A110Premier
https://youtu.be/tROkW3iWhek?si=AI-3Az-nHe3VQsMo
About to do northern Spain with my teenage son - ferry to Santander - over to Galicia and back through France and the tunnel.
Have a house in Galicia so that bit is fine but would love any input on the North Spain - through France to tunnel bit - don't really want hours on the autoroute. Would going up into the Pyrenees and then up through France be a good call?
Have a house in Galicia so that bit is fine but would love any input on the North Spain - through France to tunnel bit - don't really want hours on the autoroute. Would going up into the Pyrenees and then up through France be a good call?
banana said:
Just out of interest, does anyone know the roads/locations where the two Alpine A110 Carfection videos were shot?
A110S
https://youtu.be/hLVZ-SFgrys?si=b9VvdFVLRgyB0L4X
A110Premier
https://youtu.be/tROkW3iWhek?si=AI-3Az-nHe3VQsMo
Portugal. Serra de Estrella. A110S
https://youtu.be/hLVZ-SFgrys?si=b9VvdFVLRgyB0L4X
A110Premier
https://youtu.be/tROkW3iWhek?si=AI-3Az-nHe3VQsMo
I wrote a few bits about it with some pics and maps in my Reader's Cars thread, likewise seefar did in his (link in post 1) and Dick Dasterdly.
Scroll down to post 4th February... https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
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