Our kids are now of the age that they no longer want to holiday with us so we've decided to experience a different type of holiday for us and have a little tour around Europe. I planned this a few months ago and received some great advice on potential routes from some of you guys on BMWLand - thanks again. The plan is an early start from Manchester to Calais (obviously hoping we won't encounter any delays with the 'issues' there). First overnight stop will be Aachen, then onto Innsbruck for a couple of nights. We'll then move down to Lake Garda for 10 nights to tour the area plus a night or two in Venice. Following this we'll move onto Montreux in Switzerland for a couple of nights (via the Great St Bernard Pass). Finally we'll have a night in Reims before the trip home. Any hints, tips or pointers will be gratefully received.
Nice! I've done something very similar but on the way back stay in Epernay rather than Reims. Reims is nice enough but Epernay's better as it's right in the heart of Champagne country and the big names are all on one street. Not a massive fan of Moet but their tour is worth it.
Don't miss the Swarovski Factory and Kristallwelten (Crystal World) at Wattens just outside Innsbruck. http://kristallwelten.swarovski.com/Content.Node/wattens/index.en.html From Innsbuck south to Italy don't take the boring Europabucke (you can't see over the edge as you're driving along it). Much prettier and a lovely twisty mountain pass road is the old Brenner Pass road with lovely views to Brennero, then pick up the Autostrada.
Just went to Paris in June without a hitch. Fortunately before the recent mad events at the tunnel. We were on the 630am train so went from Leeds the night before and stopped at the Holiday Inn next to the train port - its decent and 5 mins to the port. I would recommend that. Many times we fly from around London and always experience delays on the motorways We measured 52 miles of 50 in 126 miles of motorway to Northampton. Other than that I cant realy offer much more advice as we were on business. Maybe have change for the tolls. As for the tunnel crossing just make sure everythings locked. Sounds like a great trip.
@The CO , Not a fizz fan myself but the wife is so may change from Reims to Epernay @Singvogel , will probably give the Crystal a miss (the wife doesn't need any encouragement to buy stuff - and I've just promised her a trip to Fizzland. However I like the sound of the Brenner Pass. All thanks for the tips guys @Cotswold BMW - a friend got the 9:00 last Friday morning and said it wasn't to bad - just 45 minute delay - although the radio news this evening reported a 4 hour delay. I don't go for a few weeks so am hoping things will have improved by then.
I've had a look and that's a good shout, cancelled the Reims Hotel and booked one in Epernay, thanks.
