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2018 European Road trip pictures

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philbo909
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2018 European Road trip pictures

Post by philbo909 » Fri Jun 22, 2018 2:47 pm

buzyg wrote: Thu Jun 21, 2018 9:18 pm Great write up thus far and some awesome pictures. Love that lake scene? 8) :thumbsup: Safe journey and keep on posting. :)
Yeh lake up in the alps by Castellane, well water reservoir technically I guess. That's my favourite patch of the whole journey I think, the better half was in a half decent mood unlike the day before!
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2018 European Road trip pictures

Post by philbo909 » Sat Jun 23, 2018 1:29 pm

Z4 Gaz wrote: Thu Jun 21, 2018 9:07 pm Not sure the other half would be too happy if I tried to swap her for someone else :lol:
I'm sure my girlfriend would've happily swapped with someone else on a couple of the days! :rofl:
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philbo909
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2018 European Road trip pictures

Post by philbo909 » Sat Jun 23, 2018 2:02 pm

Back home and well rested now after some pretty long driving. The most arduous drive of the whole trip was the 3 hour stretch from Folkestone to Swindon, we are definitely the worst motorway drivers in Europe.
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This is more or less the route we took, with one night stops near Arras, Black forest, Miazzina, Pisa, Grasse and Villeberny
spending a week in between at an Aunt's holiday home in Monticello Amiata.
Weather on the whole was spot on, never needed a jacket or trousers, even now in England it's a cool 22C.
Highlights of the trip were quite obviously the few days driving/staying in the alps, Switzerland, Italy and France. France being the absolute highlight with that stunning lake, Lac de Castillon
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The week spent in Italy was also great, but had more of a normal holiday feel, with great roads in between (lots of food, sun and shops). Of course the house was spectacular and I was ok with spending a lot of time there
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The worst parts of the trip was Pisa in all honesty, there is nothing of worth there, bar the tower, and it only takes a couple of seconds for a picture with the wonky thing.
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There are a few things I would improve in hindsight.
>Book two nights in each stop so you have a day to sight see, not rushing to get back on the road to the next stop.
>Book restaurants near each BnB so there isn't a panic of "where do we go for dinner".
>Get the girlfriend insured on the zed so I don't spend so many miles in the driver seat.
>Fill up the car when it's at a quarter tank so you don't end up filling 49.96L of it's 50L capacity at a services after cruising along at 55mph hoping the km left doesn't drop much more below 10! (proper sweaty palms moment on the last day).
>Learn to read minds so I don't upset the better half when she is Hungry/Sleepy/Unwashed/Hormonal/etc.
>get a toll road gadget for Italy
>Learn more french and Italian, its hard to get by with Good day, Thank you, Sorry, How are you

recommendations
>Drive the alps in summer, they are stunning
>Sanef toll gadget, 30kph toll booth, first out the gates, great!
>Book hotels in advance
>remember what side of the road to drive at when turning onto a road from a single track road
>Bring the zed, there's plenty of space in that boot :driving:
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2018 European Road trip pictures

Post by philbo909 » Sun Jun 24, 2018 7:16 pm

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Absolute fly massacre from the trip, 2600 miles worth of flies to be precise
:ant:
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Mr Tidy
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2018 European Road trip pictures

Post by Mr Tidy » Sun Jun 24, 2018 8:27 pm

Great thread and some fantastic photos OP - what a great trip! :thumbsup:

I loved that shot at the old pits in Reims - I went through there in 2004 in a Leon Cupra on the way to the Loire Valley and it was so memorable.

Sadly I haven't done a Euro trip since 2010, and that was in a 123d. :x

You've just reminded me I need to get the Z4 over the Channel! :)
Coupes because stunning!
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2018 European Road trip pictures

Post by philbo909 » Sun Jun 24, 2018 8:56 pm

Mr Tidy wrote: Sun Jun 24, 2018 8:27 pm I loved that shot at the old pits in Reims - I went through there in 2004 in a Leon Cupra on the way to the Loire Valley and it was so memorable.
I didn't go to Reims, think you've got two threads mixed up :D
But thanks, I'm excited for the next euro Road trip already, thinking maybe a Scandinavian tour?
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