Euro trip Sept 2015

H

Highlander

Member
 Perthshire
Well,this year's trip is mostly planned albeit very loose routing.Ferries are fixed and 1st night's accomodation.....can't wait as the summer here has been mostly disappointing.
Sat 5th Sept sees our 2 car convoy leave Perthshire for Plymouth and the ferry to Santander....overnight crossing which arrives a little after midday on Monday.Should be an easy run down as the bulk of it's done during the night and we've done it all before by car,van & motorcycle.
Monday we're heading out to Pico's du Europa for a trip up the cablecar at Potes and a wee country hotel nearby for the night and to plan the next few days.
Loosely,what we plan is along the top coast of Spain to Fisterra and down to Porto then across to Andorra.The coastal weather will dictate our exact route and possibly we'll book hotels as we travel and the night before using Booking.com and some that I've stored on there.
After Andorra we're hoping to get across to Maritime Alps taking in Mont Ventoux,Verdon Gorge and Alpe Huez.Ferry is booked from Ijmuiden to Newcastle on Sat 19th so lets see if we can make it all fit and get as much roof down driving in as possible(factor 50 permitting)
We've done similar routes on motorbikes a few years ago so know that it's possible but might involve some boring motorway in northern Europe to ferry.
I'll try and get as many pics as time allows and might rig up the go-pro even to inspire others to give it a go,accomodation usually cheaper than home and weather's always better......here's to 3000 topless miles :driving: 8)
 
Mr H, like yourself I have done the ferry/Picos/Spain/Andorra thing (a few times) by motorbike.

Huesca and/or Jaca are decent towns to stay in Northern Spain and may be worth an overnighter if your schedule works that way.

The N260 on the Spanish side of Andorra is an incredible road. La Seu d'urgell to Sort.

The Picos I need to explore more than I have, I look forward to the pics and updates.
 
Yeah,been down the 260 a couple of times.Our last bike holiday there was down to Andorra but crossing and recrossing on the mountain passes then across to Carcassonne and up thru' the centre of France to Amsterdam.
Was hoping to visit the Pic du Midi and get up to the observatory via the cable car but we'll have to see how it pans out......TOO MUCH TO SEE!!!
Noticed also that the Spa classic is on over the weekend that we return so might drop in there for "practise" day and then ferry on Sat.
What bike(s) did you do all your Euro trips on Lance?......still miss biking on the continent where the weather's always good in the summer months.
 
Been doing euro bike trips since The mid 80's, started with Bol D'or trips on an FJ1100, GSXR1100 and an FZR1000. The Europe thing grew on me and a group of us started touring about, through a lot of France and then Spain on a ZXR750 before moving on to a TL1000s and moving across to the Alps and Switzerland, Austria and then a lot of visits to the Nurburgring. Did a few more trips on a GSXR750 and an RSV1000, Route Napoleon and more Alpine stuff before the bones started creaking when I went down the Advenutre bike route, sticking with Aprilia. More recent stuff has been Slovenia, Bavaria, Austria, Swiss Passes and the Vosges in France.

I think next year will see me on a Super Tenere, hoping to see Poland, Slovakia, Romania and then Norway.

I really enjoy bike road trips and for a few years have been meaning to get back to the Picos, which I actually saw very little of when we went.

What about yourself?
 
Highlander, And, I was in the lakes and then Glasgow last weekend, albeit in the car. So much more civil in a car, but not as much fun imo.
 
That does sound a fantastic trip - I remember Andorra and Northern Spain in an early Transit during the late 1970's :lol:

Have a great trip :thumbsup:
 
Our bike trips were on a Honda X11(ugly but capable) and a KTM Superduke,also had a couple of weeks in south of France/Andorra with a 1972 Kawasaki 750 triple.....took that one down in the van obviously!!
We've done most of our trips by car,made Perth to Lyon in one go in a 190E 2.6 Sportline(wish I still had that & the triple) but don't think we'll ever break that personal record.We like Spain but it's a long drive and don't fancy the hire car hence the ferry to Santander.France also a great country to spend time in but prefer to be south of Paris and rural.Tried northern Italy a few years ago,went via Calais,Albertville,Turin and that was a good taster for another trip to Italy,maybe use DFDS next time.........wife & me did that in her Fiat 500 diesel in 2010(was a lot better than it sounds)
This year we plan to take more pics/keep a log of the whole trip if possible,never seemed to have time for pictures whilst on the bikes.
 
Found this and have been following the weather for when we get off the ferry
www.worldweatheronline.com
Don't know how accurate their forecasting is/will be but inspiring us at the moment.....don't think the temp's in double figures in Perthshire at the moment so everything's an improvement.
 
I've also done a lot of European motorcycling over the past 15 years, and loved every minute of it highlights for me would be the Scandinavian countries, Norway in particular :thumbsup:
No easy jap bike riding for me all done on Old Custom Harleys (old school chops) :D
Funny enough I've never driven in Europe in a car looking forward to your trip pictures have a great journey
 
Gonna try with the pics,have a photobucket account and taking the ipad with me....reckon the only way I can easily make that work is to take pics using ipad camera....not going to be great clarity though.
Years since I've been to northern Europe but recall it being expensive.....is it still so?......as we fancied the trip from Newcastle to Netherlands then head up to cross over all the causeways to Copenhagen.Summer time for that but will have to research costs,etc,etc
 
Well,back to work tomorrow after our 2491 mile "holiday"......pics will be re-sized in due course for photobucket from wife's DSLR
My mate and his wife arrived on Sunday morning around 1am and we left around 1.45 for the drive to Plymouth docks.......uneventful and only a couple of comfort/food/coffee stops and cars fuelled before the ferry......530 miles.
We averaged 39mpg on cruise at 75mph and other car was 35mpg(Saab 2.8 convertible)
As it was to be as enjoyable a driving experience as possible we purposely drove on smaller/scenic roads so the daily mileages were small but still took us 6 to 8 hours.
Day 1:Santander to the Pico's de Europa through the valleys once out of town.We went to the cable car at Fuente De and finally stayed the night in Camaleno in a country inn.€50 for a double en-suite
Cable car was well worth the €16 return trip.......there's a biggish hotel on the top of the mountains that you've to walk to from the top terminal......feck knows how they built it!!....and the hike there's for another trip.It was 21°C at 4pm when we came back down and 16°C at 10.30am when we finally left the hotel after a leisurely breakfast.Was considerably warmer during the day and obviously tops down,factor 50,etc,etc
Day 2:took scenic route to Cuzcurrita De Rio Tiron,booked in to "El Bottera" after enquiring at a petrol station for a local hotel....€40 double en-suite with breakfast.25°C when we stopped around 6pm and 15°C when we left at 10am......local beer only €1 a glass so had a "couple"
Day3:on familiar roads in the Pyrennes and got to Broto around 6pm....temp was 23°C....had been a lot hotter during the day.€40 double en-suite,breakfast was €3.50 each
Day 4: still in the Pyrennes and heading to Andorra La Vella.....routine stop in Peralta as there was "bull running" going on in all the small villages in the region and breathalyser's proffered..........we all passed easily but unfortunately the driver of our car had left HER license at home so after a lecture,much appologising and some humble pie eating we set off with me at the wheel.Finally got to Andorra around 6pm and had a bit of trouble finding a hotel in town centre with parking......gave up and stayed about 15 minute walk to main shops.21°C at 6pm but only 4°C at 9am,climbed quickly though and reached high teens thru' the afternoon.€78 for double en-suite with breakfast,nice hotel,spa,gym,etc
Had a couple of nights here so chilled out,window shopped,sauna & sleep in the afternoon.......as you do!!
Day 6:out of Andorra and heading to Carcassonne thru' more awesome scenery,was 17°C by 11am and 24°C at 1pm at Cite Carcassonne.We spent the afternoon here and then headed up to Castelnaudary to our hotel.€50 for en-suite double,breakfast was €7 each.Was 23°C at 6pm when we arrived and still 19°C when we left at 9am on Sunday.....rained heavily when we were out for a meal/beers and during the night but dry and hot on Sunday.
Part 2 tomorrow as I've "stuff" to organise for work in the morning and my rambling's don't sound very inspiring!!
 
Been interesting reading your account - looking forward to seeing some photos. Overnight accommodation seems reasonable. :thumbsup:
Bull running eh - thought that was Pamplona. :D
 
Now,where was I;
Sunday,stayed in Ales after a great drive through some really scenic and quiet roads and via Millau bridge.Stopped underneath at the visitor centre on the bikes a few years back but this was our 1st trip over....only did a short section of Peage and stopped in a wee cafe in Millau town itself.Was 22°C at 4.30 when we stopped and 18°C when we left at 9am.....stayed at Ibis as we'd nothing booked and it's a safe bet.....€71 for standard room.
On to Macon the next day and think we did a bit of Peage today,just for ease of journey and speed...was 21°C when we stopped at 5pm and 15°C when we left in the morning around 9.Ibis again at €80 for double en-suite as the 1st place we looked at from sat-nav listing looked proper seedy and we'd passed this on the way into town.....outdoor pool here which seemed a bit odd for a "travel lodge"
Another quick haul up the Peage to Nancy as we wanted to see a bit of the town and had booked a very nice B&B which we all wanted to chill out at......getting cooler now as only 15°C at 3pm and 16°C at 10am the next day.......we paid €80 for a huge double en-suite....was L shaped and I reckon you could've made a studio flat outta the space in London!!
Uneventfull journey on rural roads to Grufflingen in Belgium via Luxembourg....temp had picked up to 18°C at 5pm but was cooler in the morning,12°C at 10am.I think I slept for most of the evening as ate pretty late and then there was an almighty storm with forked lightning & thunder,so didn't bother going out.
1 final push and we were in Rotterdam for 2 nights,booked a pricy hotel here as wanted to relax before heading home and this place had pool,spa,etc and near town for wandering about.Only 14°C when we arrived at 3pm and didn't feel that it was any warmer for the time we were there....some heavy showers of rain as well.
We had a smooth crossing from Ijmuiden on the Sat and only 3 hours or so to Perthshire,15°C when we got off the boat but was 17°C at Jedburgh where we had a "comfort" stop.
Now that all sounds a bit boring but we hadn't been to these areas at this time of year so really wanted to log the temps and distances we were capable of travelling on a daily basis and not feel too tired/jaded.......was a holiday after all....but went a bit "pear shaped" when the co-pilot couldn't drive.
My lasting thoughts are;
Temps/weather pretty good on the whole although we had some rain in south of France,Belgium and Rotterdam.
Don't think I'll do this type of long trip for a wee while as it meant moving nearly every day so ultimately wasn't too relaxing.....we've done similar before but had hoped to spend more "quality" time with our travelling companions.
Spain was as relaxed as usual and really enjoyed the trip from leaving the ferry,through Andorra and into southern France......so already looking at heading back to Santander on ferry and returning the same way which obviously means more time in northern Spain.Been there in June before so weather should be fine for us.When I priced this all up the return ferry was about £900 with cabins both ways which I thought a big chunk of cash but in reality we spent similar if not more travelling up through France,etc and then the ferry back to Newcastle and didn't get the most " pleasure per pound"........a lesson learned.
I used Booking.com for most of the rooms we booked and as noted Spain was still very good value for money compared with UK.All the rooms we had in Spain were good esp considering the prices.I didn't note the fuel prices but that would be easy to find on the net as an average price and wouldn't think it would be more than UK.Weather was a lot better than you'd expect in UK in Sept so lots of open-topped driving and mucho enjoyment.........seat heaters used by Belgium!!
I very much doubt you'd have nearly 2 weeks driving around the UK in our summer and spend less money.....weather would be a variable and depending where you went then roads would be far more congested.
 
Totally forgot to say much about the car....doh!!!
A long trip like this shows up good & bad points and only thing that irritated me was the "storage area" between the seats that I'm guessing you're supposed to rest your elbow on........jeezus,that doesn't happen for long,could've made that outta stone and not noticed....serious design flaw for me,it's an auto and I want to waft sometimes.
Fuel consumption was astonishing at times and everything else went un-noted so I assume very well designed.
On the whole,a very accomplished touring car.....not the "ultimate driving machine" that BMW used to use as their strap line but I bonded nonetheless and looked forward each day to the journey.
There will be many more memorable trips/journeys I hope and I'll "nag" the wife to transfer her pics over to me to post some up here.
 
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