[73henny]

As the weather gets a little better, so the attention turns to planning a summer holiday. We've sort of had enough of AI package holidays, and the kids are now both teenagers so we're toying with the idea of some sort of trip to the continent. We did drive to the Paris area a few years back, and were in Switzerland a couple of years ago but flew there and hired a car.

Does anyone have any thoughts / suggestions on how far is reasonable for 10 days or so? Or maybe you've done something similar. We're currently looking at perhaps spending 5 days or so in a holiday / Centre Parks type place and the rest travelling or visiting other places.

[gatsojon]

Funnily enough I've just about finished booking a European road trip for my son and I at the end of June. We are doing 3 days in Munich (including BMW factory tour), 3 days in Stuttgart (including Porsche factory tour and Mecedes museum) and finally a day at the Nurburgring before heading back to Manchester via Bruges. 2,000 miles over 9 nights away. Using the euro tunnel on Tesco points.

Really looking forward to it and leave on Father's Day

[sahajesh]

Originally Posted by gatsojon

Funnily enough I've just about finished booking a European road trip for my son and I at the end of June. We are doing 3 days in Munich (including BMW factory tour), 3 days in Stuttgart (including Porsche factory tour and Mecedes museum) and finally a day at the Nurburgring before heading back to Manchester via Bruges. 2,000 miles over 9 nights away. Using the euro tunnel on Tesco points.

Really looking forward to it and leave on Father's Day

Been to 2 of your 3 destinations (not done Munich yet) - you'll have a great time and the autobahns (when you get a clear run) are brilliant!

[MWA]

Originally Posted by sahajesh

you'll have a great time and the autobahns (when you get a clear run) are brilliant!

I was in Munich this January.

Pretty sure doing 100 is driving in the slow lane. Audi driver are the worst at over taking in the motorways.

Oh and while it was snowing this January, the variable speed limit signs showed a 'reduced' speed of 110km (70mph)

I personally didn't like driving there, since you're always flashed by someone who wants to go faster than you, regardless of how fast you're going, even if you're just overtaking.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Germany would be a good choice with some Austria thrown in.

If you have never been around Germany it's worth it, very different areas.

Start at North via Holland and work south from there, although you need to factor in a Berlin trip.

Also remember (sacrilege I know) but train travel in Germany is very cheap, check out Seat61.

[swissfraser]

The Italian autostrada in my opinion are more fun than the german autobahn.

A couple of years back I drove from Zurich down to Tuscany and my average speed between Milan and Florence was 190km/h. If you're a real car buff you'll love the large groups of performance cars that you'll meet on the roads during the summer as well. Stop at almost any service station and you'll find some touring club meet with all manner of ferraris, lambos and of course maseratis.

Technically there are speed limits on the motorways, but no-one adheres to them!

Furthermore once you arrive in Tuscany the roads around all the little towns are outstanding.

[Occean]

I got flashed at and overtaken by a hearse at 120mph outside Munich while driving an EVO VIII FQ320

It kind of made my day

[73henny]

Originally Posted by gatsojon

Funnily enough I've just about finished booking a European road trip for my son and I at the end of June. We are doing 3 days in Munich (including BMW factory tour), 3 days in Stuttgart (including Porsche factory tour and Mecedes museum) and finally a day at the Nurburgring before heading back to Manchester via Bruges. 2,000 miles over 9 nights away. Using the euro tunnel on Tesco points.

Really looking forward to it and leave on Father's Day

Sounds like a nice trip. Take it you are hoteling it?

[73henny]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Germany would be a good choice with some Austria thrown in.

If you have never been around Germany it's worth it, very different areas.

Start at North via Holland and work south from there, although you need to factor in a Berlin trip.

Also remember (sacrilege I know) but train travel in Germany is very cheap, check out Seat61.

Trains?. Mmm. Eurotunnel is about the limit of my ability when it comes to getting on a train.
Germany sounds good though. Need to see what the round trip time / distance would be it total.

Originally Posted by swissfraser

The Italian autostrada in my opinion are more fun than the german autobahn.

A couple of years back I drove from Zurich down to Tuscany and my average speed between Milan and Florence was 190km/h. If you're a real car buff you'll love the large groups of performance cars that you'll meet on the roads during the summer as well. Stop at almost any service station and you'll find some touring club meet with all manner of ferraris, lambos and of course maseratis.

Technically there are speed limits on the motorways, but no-one adheres to them!

Furthermore once you arrive in Tuscany the roads around all the little towns are outstanding.

That sounds lovely, but my starting position is a little further north than where you are. We were in Zurich a couple of summers ago but flew in and hired a car. Too far to go unfortunately.

[gatsojon]

Originally Posted by 73henny

Sounds like a nice trip. Take it you are hoteling it?

Hotels en route and apartments for Munich and Stuttgart. Nothing fancy!

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by gatsojon

Hotels en route and apartments for Munich and Stuttgart. Nothing fancy!

I assume some time in the Black Forest as well?


If someone has not been to Berlin, it's worth a visit.

There are some really good places to visit in Germany, plenty history, variations in foods between areas.

You can notice it's not really been a country for more than about 160 years.

It's a bit over looked at times, as are Scandanavian countries.

[gatsojon]

Originally Posted by Brigand

I assume some time in the Black Forest as well?

We did the Black Forest as a family a few years back so only skirting it really as we travel from one car-focused activity to another.

A real boy's trip so Mrs Gatso is staying at home, cutting the grass I hope

[DTP1980]

Firstly, Eurotunnel is a must. Book early. It's quick, quiet and excellent value for money.

We have done straight down to Lake Annecy, France in one hit. A few days there, over to Turin via the mountain pass, then Como for a few days, before people heading back via Geneva, then Paris, Rouen, and back over the water. Always always, the most stressful, time consuming, frustrating bit is the bloody British side. Europe side, wonderful driving, wonderful food, lovely people, glorious views and is therefore effortless and worth doing. Leave space for unexpected treats bought on the way round!