The Camaro Club (UK)
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Driving Abroad Tips
http://classiccamaroclub.mfatw.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3288		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  bigkieko [Thu Jul 18, 2013 12:19 am ]
Post subject:  Driving Abroad Tips
I,m thinking of driving abroad in the Camaro in the next couple of weeks. Not exactly sure where yet as I have a few options. Is there anyone that has done it or does it regularly that could give me a few tips or advice?

Any information appreciated. 8-)

Brian
Author:  chevy-stu [Thu Jul 18, 2013 2:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Driving Abroad Tips
Head for the alps every time... :D

What kind of timescale are you looking at, how much mileage, and with the missus or mate ? All relevant to where you'd want to go..
I did this in 2010: http://www.petrolheadnirvana.com/drivin ... ine-north/

I also drive over to Europe alot for work, but usually in a van :cry: , still have fun on the bendy bits though :mrgreen:

Some great bits in Western France too, but the pick of the crop is Southern France, Italy, Southern Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
Belgium, Northern France, Luxembourg are all very dull and flat, only good to fly to get to the good bits.
Author:  bigkieko [Thu Jul 18, 2013 3:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Driving Abroad Tips
Hey. Thanks for that. I was looking at the French West Coast but also tempted by Kanton Zurich and possibly northern Germany. Thing is I,ve been to Switzerland umpteen times but always flown. Twice a year since I don,t know when. Do you need a breathalyser for France ?
Author:  chevy-stu [Thu Jul 18, 2013 10:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Driving Abroad Tips
Yep, need the breathalyser kit for france (comes as a pack of 2), available at most ferries or Eurotunnel, or online from AA, RAC, ebay etc.. only other bits you need are warning triangle, spare bulbs and hi-vis vests, + motorway 'Vignette' for Swizterland and Austria. you shouldn't need snowchains this time of year :mrgreen:

The alps really aren't that far, mind you coming down from Scotland will add a bit. It looks like there's a Hull to Zeebrugge, Belgium P&O ferry which will get you straight into the right area.

Area round Zurich is lovely, Zurichsee coast road quite scenic, but very slow and flat. I'd personally head to the Black Forest first then onto the mountain passes. I'd head to Strasboug (easily done in 5 hours from Zeebrugge), then over the border into Germany to Offenburg and some amazing roads using the 33 and 500 down to Switzerland.

The mountain passes are mostly French/Swiss or Italian/Swiss border, so all maximum of a day apart. Once down near Zurich you can go South West to checkout San Bernadino, Splugen pass, Fluella pass, Maloja pass, and Stelvio or course.
Going East back toward Geneva and France you got Col du Pillon, and the amazing Col de Turini (as featured on the Monte Carlo Rally) and from Grenoble down to Nice is The Route de Napolean.

The Italian lakes are well worth checking out if you fancy going a little further south. Very memorable moment of leaving the light snow at 2 degrees C at Stelvio, at 9am and driving a few hours East and having lunch in shorts by the very lovely Lake Maggiore at 28 degrees C.
Image
Author:  bigkieko [Fri Jul 19, 2013 7:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Driving Abroad Tips
Cheers mate. I`ve booked accommodation on the West Coast of France. Going I might travel on down to Toulouse, don`t know yet. My dad lives in Switzerland and I go there twice/three times a year so I chose going west.
I`m travelling Hull -Zeebrugge so I`ll be having a run through Belgium. Means I get a nights sleep (after a couple of beers and the entertainment on the overnight crossing).

The big V8 is going on her first trip abroad . Woo hoo!!! :thumbup:
Author:  chevy-stu [Fri Jul 19, 2013 8:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Driving Abroad Tips
Excellent.. I can see how going to Switzerland might not be so different for you.

Got any route ideas. Are you going to stick on the (unfeasonably expensive) motorway tolls, or head off for some backroads ?
Quite a nice drive from the coast at Mont Saint-Michel near Avranches inland to Le Mans, then you could swing by Le Mans on the way and I think the museum is open all year round, and quite interesting.

Avoid Paris if possible..
Author:  bigkieko [Fri Jul 19, 2013 11:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Driving Abroad Tips
Hadn`t actually took the motorway fee into consideration to be honest. :oops:

Just try AA euro routeplanner and typr Zeebrugge to Saint Nazaire then La Rochelle. Thats kinda where i`m heading first.

Still, I`m looking forward to it. I`m going to have to look into breakdown cover ( that hopefully I won`t need).
Author:  chevy-stu [Fri Jul 19, 2013 11:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Driving Abroad Tips
French motorway tolls are high. Probably the reason they're not clogged up with trucks and are well maintained.
It cost about €170 from Nice to Calais back in the winter.
Author:  bigkieko [Sat Jul 20, 2013 9:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Driving Abroad Tips
Stu whats the deal avoiding Paris? I`ve just read that somewhere else too. :?

Is it the cost or congestion or the general mayhem? My AA routeplanner takes me right through Paris (but still on the motorways)
Author:  Arizona [Sun Jul 21, 2013 11:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Driving Abroad Tips
Do avoid Paris - there are plenty of ways to avoid it - its very busy. Consider also getting a tag for the toll booths, cost aside - you pay anyway, trying to pay at a booth when sat in a Camaro is far from easy, not all peage are manned.
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