2018 European Road trip pictures

[philbo909]

I've ticked over half way on my roadtrip and hanging about Pisa now so thought I would get a thread up!
We set off late Friday night, (I thought we could sleep in the Zed, the boss said no) So we stayed in a 24h hotel in Arras, on the way to which I got a speeding ticket, off to a good start!

On the euro tunnel, where I regretted not cleaning the Zed before leaving, but it rained and I was busy buying our first house (chuffed to say the least)
Headed for the black forest the next day, through Belgium and Luxembourg for cheap fuel

Stayed the night in a bnb where we ate too much cheese and drank too much beer. A cat slept on the Zed (I found the muddy paw prints up the bonnet, in a circle on the roof and down the back!

Through Switzerland next, what a beautiful country but God is it expensive! Heading out over the Gotthard pass, which is beautiful and was great bar the road works!

So we reach the next stop, a shepherds hut in the Italian alps, half hour walk up a mountain and we are in buckets of sweat, but well worth it, the view was awesome!


A morning shower and we were off to Tuscany, but not just any shower, this beauty-

Drive down to Tuscany was uneventful until we slipped off the motorway, but the roads here are epic, twists and turns everywhere!
Not so happy when we get to our home for the week in the forest half a mile down what is basically a bridleway! No pictures of it but lots of fine scratches which will need a good buff up when I'm home! The house was worth it in the end though.

To be continued soon

 

[mr wilks]

my kind of post keep those pics coming

 

[philbo909]

Ok so we hung around Monticello Amiata for a week to recover/spend more time at the house which we really warmed to (glow bugs at night, bird song all day and beautiful views)

And while we were there bought lots of wine and great meals, Italians really know their food! So day trip to Montalcino where there was (surprise) more great driving roads. Also brunello de Montalcino wine is as nice as they say it is


So as I said, now in Pisa and it's been motorways and sightseeing, drinking and eating. It's ok here, wouldn't recommend it for more than a day.

So now I'm back at the flat and have planned a route to Grasse (over the alps rather than just all along the azure coast) will get some pictures of Col de Braus tomorrow if I find a spot to stop with a view 8)
And I apologise for reposting some pictures, hopefully I'll take more Zed pictures and less normal holidays snaps, but I forget when driving!

 

[SpiketheBike]

 

[Smartbear]

Can’t beat a good road trip, petrolheadholidays.co.uk
Rob

 

[srhutch]

That looks like great fun. Glad to see the cruise control is getting used

As Mr Wilks said, keep the pictures coming.

 

[philbo909]

So just left Pisa and took a detour so I could do some more alp driving, we headed towards the Tende tunnel and from there over Col de Braus/Brouis which was great, lots of tyre squeal and quick steering. Road was empty so I was a happy man


Couple of tiffs with the better half who was half dead from a horrid nights sleep in a low rent, un-airconditioned flat in Pisa. Apart from that it was great!

Missed some good picture opportunities as I was "driving too fast". Stopped here at the next parking spot, but it was much less photogenic

In hindsight, if I were to drive Col de Braus again, it'll definitely be France - Italy, as the most twisties were on the way back down the mountain where I couldn't really use the throttle

Now on the azure coast, Grasse where I'll find out how the French food compares to Italian.

 

[philbo909]

That looks like great fun. Glad to see the cruise control is getting used

Cruise control is a massive relief, I'm averaging 600km a day on trips and feeling fresh still.
Thanks again

 

[philbo909]

Coming back tomorrow over northern France then m25 and m4 so really no more nice shots to take.
Drove from Grasse to North of Dijon over the alps today, best drive yet. Beautiful scenery for hours on end and lots of turns to keep me awake!

This was just out off Grasse, car park smelt of fish so we didn't stay long . View was nice though.
Then up some more zig zag roads, just overtaken a few slow tourists on a straight when I spotted a decent patch

Got out the breakfast we packed and sat there for a while taking in the view

Not sure it comes up in this picture but that's the road winding up the mountain.
The Dutch camperen started to make a move in the car park and I wanted to be well in front of them, we jumped in and got going again, making a detour to Lac de Castillon, which is absolutely stunning


We're now in a bit too rural a part of France, on a farm bnb enjoying a well earned bottle of red.

 

[Z4 Gaz]

Ah man, this just makes me want to be on my Euro trip already, looks beautiful.

Only a week to go till I start this for 2 weeks. Meeting up with 5 friends in Munich, so going to be ace.

https://goo.gl/maps/sAo3szfmyFs

 

[wonkydonkey]

Some gorgeous snaps there Phil! Those Italian Alps views from above the clouds The trip looks fantastic. Keep driving too fast and enjoy 8)

 

[Pastry]

Some gorgeous scenery and pictures there and I have to admit I am extremely jealous

 

[philbo909]

Thanks guys
I'll do last post write up of the route I took, best bits, worst bits recommendations and regrets when I'm back I think.

Ah man, this just makes me want to be on my Euro trip already, looks beautiful.
Only a week to go till I start this for 2 weeks. Meeting up with 5 friends in Munich, so going to be ace.
https://goo.gl/maps/sAo3szfmyFs

That looks ace too, should be a laugh in convoy, swap out passengers when it gets a bit tense... That wasn't really an option for me!
Have you got designated stops along your route or just winging it?

 

[Z4 Gaz]

Thanks guys
I'll do last post write up of the route I took, best bits, worst bits recommendations and regrets when I'm back I think.

Ah man, this just makes me want to be on my Euro trip already, looks beautiful.
Only a week to go till I start this for 2 weeks. Meeting up with 5 friends in Munich, so going to be ace.
https://goo.gl/maps/sAo3szfmyFs

That looks ace too, should be a laugh in convoy, swap out passengers when it gets a bit tense... That wasn't really an option for me!
Have you got designated stops along your route or just winging it?

Not sure the other half would be too happy if I tried to swap her for someone else :lol:

Itinerary is 1st stop Chamonix to see GF's Sister, then Lake Como, just outside Munich, East Czech, Prague, Eindhoven.
Apartments booked where needed, we know someone in East Czech who runs a bar and are staying at one of our groups Grandmas house near Munich as she is staying with the parents of our friend.

Did similar last year, but this is going to be about 300 miles further.

 

[buzyg]

Great write up thus far and some awesome pictures. Love that lake scene? 8) Safe journey and keep on posting.

 

[philbo909]

Great write up thus far and some awesome pictures. Love that lake scene? 8) 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!

 

[philbo909]

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!

 

[philbo909]

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.

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

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

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.

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

 

[philbo909]

Absolute fly massacre from the trip, 2600 miles worth of flies to be precise

 

[Mr Tidy]

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

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!