Europe Driving Holiday

OliveHoop

Hi all,

I'm in the process of planning a holiday, and it's a surprise for my other half, so I could use some help!

We have 2 weeks off and I already have some elements booked. We are taking our own car, crossing via Eurotunnel and driving straight to Bruges for 2 nights (already booked).

I then have 4 nights of travel and hotels to arrange, before arriving for 3 nights in Nice (already booked).

Then it'll be the return leg, and we have 5 nights to fill on the way home.

Does anyone have any tips on a good route to take, things to see, or places to stay? I was wondering about heading towards Strasbourg from Bruges, and then towards Lucerne and Como, but would welcome any other suggestions!

Thanks in advance!

bap98189

Stop off for a couple of days in Epernay and tour the champagne region. It's a lovely little town, and far nicer than Reims which is much more industrial.

After that, rather than drive down via Lyon, how about going via the alps. There are some stunning places in the French alps.

For the return leg, I'd then go into Italy for a couple of days, and come back via Switzerland. Again there are some lovely places in the Swiss lakes and the scenery driving through the Alps is incredible.

PeacefulWaters

Make sure you've got European breakdown cover for the car.

Make sure you can comply with all motoring regulations in each country. Some require spare glasses to be in the car, spare headlamp bulbs etc.

Yolina

bap98189 wrote: »

After that, rather than drive down via Lyon, how about going via the alps. There are some stunning places in the French alps.

For the return leg, I'd then go into Italy for a couple of days, and come back via Switzerland. Again there are some lovely places in the Swiss lakes and the scenery driving through the Alps is incredible.

Being from the Alps, I totally agree

John259

Yep, the Alps would be a top priority for me.

If you've got time, the Black Forest in southwestern Germany is another good area. But Alps first!

agrinnall

Millau Viaduct.

http://www.fosterandpartners.com/projects/millau-viaduct/

knightstyle

We stayed at Carcasonne, lovely walled old town, and then went on to the Millau viaduct, have a walk under it through unspoilt countryside.

Gloomendoom

knightstyle wrote: »

We stayed at Carcasonne, lovely walled old town, and then went on to the Millau viaduct, have a walk under it through unspoilt countryside.

Apart from a massive concrete bridge!

maman

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

Make sure you've got European breakdown cover for the car.

Make sure you can comply with all motoring regulations in each country. Some require spare glasses to be in the car, spare headlamp bulbs etc.

Including high viz vests each.

OliveHoop

Thanks all for your ideas - you have given me some food for thought!

AlexMac

you probably already use https://www.viamichelin.com for its helpful route suggestions (tweakable if you want scenic, fastest, with/without tolls or motorways...) and its accurate drive times (add 20% for stops).

We always try to knock off a fast 4-5 hours in the morning then stop from lunch-time on even when doing one-night stops, so it doesn't feel that we spend the whole holiday in the car... Have fun