Roadtrips

Glen_Lee

Glen_Lee

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2,249
Hello all,

The recent lockdown has re-ignited my ambition to go on a road trip across Europe. Specifically, from my driveway (in the UK) to Northern Italy via the Alps & Dolomites. These being some of my favourite places.

I have absolutely zero experience of such things. But definitely a bucket list type trip. I hope to plan something, and go on the trip over the next 2-3 years.

Curious if other members have undertaken such a trip? Woken up one day and thought I want to take the family car 2-3k miles across a continent. Was it a fulfilling trip?
 
I drove down to Italy (Genoa) a few years ago, going through Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and then back up through France.

I did it too after I only had my driving license for a year too so it was a bit of a jump in the deep end (but thats the kind of thing that I like).
As a solo traveller, I stayed in youth hostels (which is a great way to meet other travellers).
It was a great trip and Id love to do another road trip soon, down to south Germany (I use to be an Au Pair there).
I would say that such a trip would require quite a bit of time. I did mine in two and a half weeks and roughly 2500 miles of driving, avoiding toll roads where I could. A big chunk of the day would be spent driving, which was exhausting as a solo driver.
Each country would also have their own "driving etiquette" and rules and I would say do a bit of reading on each country you plan to visit
 
Glen_Lee said:
Hello all,

The recent lockdown has re-ignited my ambition to go on a road trip across Europe. Specifically, from my driveway (in the UK) to Northern Italy via the Alps & Dolomites. These being some of my favourite places.

I have absolutely zero experience of such things. But definitely a bucket list type trip. I hope to plan something, and go on the trip over the next 2-3 years.

Curious if other members have undertaken such a trip? Woken up one day and thought I want to take the family car 2-3k miles across a continent. Was it a fulfilling trip?
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I want to do something similar, Nice to Venice via Garda.
 
I used to do an annual European motorbike jaunt every year for 2 to 3 weeks. Very little planning and booked hotels on the likes of lastminute.com as I went a long. Sometimes being rather surprised when having to park the bike between Ferraris, Rolls and every other exclusive marque.

Be careful it doesn't just become a long drive though. Enjoy the places you land and if you love them, stay longer. My first year I managed around 5k+ and some days a thousand plus in 24 hours. I can't say I saw that much.

No bike now and I do miss the fun it brought. And don't forget the shaving gear.
 
I've done quite a lot of foreign touring but before anything else get some cast iron recovery insurance. Mine arent family trips but driving a Caterham 7 on solo or group trips usually to international meetings, last year was Lake Como and before that to Portofino. I was planning a circuit of the Baltic but obviously thats on hold. Before a long trip I'd dip your toe in the water to somewhere like Belgium where language is no problem.

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Manstein said:
I've done quite a lot of foreign touring but before anything else get some cast iron recovery insurance. Mine arent family trips but driving a Caterham 7 on solo or group trips usually to international meetings, last year was Lake Como and before that to Portofino. I was planning a circuit of the Baltic but obviously thats on hold. Before a long trip I'd dip your toe in the water to somewhere like Belgium where language is no problem.

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View attachment 57236
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Lovely car and the sound of the journeys.

I was once on the same ferry as the British Italian car club and a Countach getting stuck on the ramp in Santander as the door wasn't completely flat. Whoops :oops:
 
Sorry forgot to add that the above shots were in Norway a few years ago and ferries are a very important part of the transport system. Great place to visit but take gold bars to pay for the beer!0349E553-95EA-445A-BC2C-C6D4349B37F8.jpeg
 
Covid stripped us of our planned road trip this year. Would of being doing this now infact. Vegas to Grand Canyon, pick up Route 66 driving west over two days, then up to Palm Springs for two nights, then to our friend in San Marcos. From there an a rest we were planning on Route 1 again for a few days and to see what else we could do. Four weeks away scuppered, no money loss, and hopefully next year ! Gutted too as it was a celebration of our 30th WA and 35 years together. Don't even feel like visiting a restaurant here !
 
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