Hi all,

SWMBO and I are thinking of travelling around Europe for a month. We have been to very few places on this side of the world and still not sure where exactly we will go but I'd like to do some of the more scenic areas and still hit some of the major cities, particularly in Italy.

I obviously don't expect to fit the whole continent on this trip and realise we may have to stick to 3 or 4 countries in that month to get the most of our visit and also make sure we are not running around everywhere constantly.

Our initial thoughts were to get a 1 month long Interrail ticket which allows hop on and hop off on most European train networks but I've been thinking maybe we could just drive around in the FFRR.

I know we have a lot of members here who live in mainland Europe or spend a lot of time travelling there, and so would love to hear your thoughts on ideas and recommendations on whether we drive from UK or train/fly around?

Once we get a better idea of our route, will also be asking for suggestions on hidden gems and places to visit.

Also have a fairly lengthy trip to Aus and NZ planned so will post on that again later.

Thanks very much in advance. MY11 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - "African Queen"

There's way more of Italy that I don't know, but Turin is especially fab, Milan well worth a visit. Liked Verona. Venice but only in the off season. Liked Trieste, but probably wouldn't go out of my way to visit. Bologna is great, unfinished cathedral and all. The only place further south than this I've been to was Naples, but to go there you're seriously extending your trip. Not been to Rome, but that's a holiday in itself.

I'd say to do some of the Alps, and that gives you four countries to choose from.

Train is a really good idea if you're just doing big cities. If you want a few trips of the beaten path, e.g. Como, Portofino, Monterossa, etc, a train can become a long and inconvenient journey. A car also gives you a bigger choice of hotels which can be important. There are some wonderful hotels that are not near a station.

Driving on the continent, especially outside of rush hour is not like driving in London - it's much more pleasurable. I try and schedule my travel to do no more than 3-4 hours in the car and plan to do non-car things the rest of the time, but some people like driving all day - not for me.

The Fullfat is a great GT car. I think I'd take it over a GT car.

Jealous!

I would always drive, especially if time is not a major factor for the main benefit that with a car you can go wherever you want when you want. If you want to go to a remote spot half way up a mountain you can, if you want to walk around a city just leave the car in the hotel car park. I have driven all over Europe, normally for work so covering as much distance as possible without any difficulties. I personally don't like France and some of their driving rules but that is a personal thing. I have driven around Italy and while the northern cities are fine in a SUV, once you get down to Naples and some of the coast roads a FFRR could be tights and there are pretty much no rules that get followed by the locals. Another advantage with the car is that you can take more comforts with you, especially if you want coats, walking boots, chairs, computers etc... whereas on rail or by air you are pretty much limited to what you can carry. There is a difference between knowing your sh!t and knowing you're sh!t

2005 Registered 2006 MY 4.4 AJV8 Range Rover Vogue

Great trip from the UK to Italy, specially by car, so much to visit, so many things to see, so many people to meet and great things to eat. I did the train once for a long holiday trip and ended up renting a car. If you come through France let me know, I might be able to help you with the places to see in our part of the world, for Italy it's Florence for us and Lucca and...OMG the bifteca fiorentina...with summer truffels. ....

Last time I drove to Milan it was no stop from the UK, a long drive on your own, then the same back a day later. There is a difference between knowing your sh!t and knowing you're sh!t

2005 Registered 2006 MY 4.4 AJV8 Range Rover Vogue

Two years ago we travelled 6 up in a disco 3.
3000 miles which took in the following, Champania 2 days, Alps 4 days, lake Como 4 days, Pisa 7 days, Milan 2 days, Strasbourg 2 days, Chose to drive straight to tunel rather than stop in Belgium on way home.
Best holiday we have ever been on and it didn't cost a fortune as we could pick exactly where we stayed etc.

DRIVE IT

Thanks guys - some very helpful initial comments, keep them coming in!

Kurt and Robert - thanks for the tips - I'm definitely going to get in touch for more details closer to the time.

I'm trying to convince SWMBO that car is the way to go. It's just the two of us and she doesn't drive (and I also won't let her near the FFRR!) so in a way not having to drive all the time may be a plus, but I've seen parts of Switzerland and out of town areas and think that's so much nicer to see. Cities will definitely cause a problem but I'm sure we can figure something out for those.

I've been to Naples and Amalfi and completely agree with the crazy driving down those coastal roads - never again in a big car....

All welcome to join for a convoy of fatties... MY11 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - "African Queen"

Last edited by shalz on 13th Mar 2014 5:36pm. Edited 1 time in total

S33MAF wrote:

Two years ago we travelled 6 up in a disco 3.
3000 miles which took in the following, Champania 2 days, Alps 4 days, lake Como 4 days, Pisa 7 days, Milan 2 days, Strasbourg 2 days, Chose to drive straight to tunel rather than stop in Belgium on way home.
Best holiday we have ever been on and it didn't cost a fortune as we could pick exactly where we stayed etc.

DRIVE IT

All planed in advance by "her indoors" all on the net. I told her how far we would get in a certain amount of time and she then found a place to stay on the net and booked it. Do your research about the hotel and use street view to check your happy to park your car in the chosen area if they do not have a private car park. We did this with all the hotels etc apart from Belgium, when we arrived at the destination (around the corner from where we thought) there was a hooker in the window opposite and people staring at the car. I was happy to stay even if only for an hour (hooker) but the decision was made to go onto the tunnel.

The biggest surprise was Starsbourg, beautiful, quiet and inexpensive.

I did 95% of the driving, even drove from Pisa to Maranello for the day with my daughters. The motorways are mostly free flowing and easy driving (watch out for the super cars flashing you from a mile back, they will be on you before you know it) the service stations have good food and great coffee sensibly priced even the wine is cheap .

Smashed a wing mirror while in this little village in Italy so I put closest LR into the sat nav and it took me to this little place with a massive dealership where very little English was spoken and my Italian is not that great. I was taken to the parts department where I pointed the part out on an image, three fitters then went out to the car fitted the mirror, checked it, checked again then triple checked it all for 50 euro

The trip was so good we will be doing the same again this year. My daughters are 18 and 24 but keep going on about it as the best holiday ever and we have been on a few.

Where you thinking of going?

This image was taken in Combloux.

Here are my personal thoughts - If you are taking your RR use the Euro tunnel instead of the ferry; a bit more expensive but far more efficient. If you are taking the Mount Blanc tunnel route into Italy then Annecy (France) and the Lake is well worth a stopover. Once in Italy the Italian lakes are great. Lake Garda is beautiful and it's towns are easier to drive around and visit in a RR then the towns around Lake Como. You can also buy a day ticket for the Garda ferries and get on and off as often as you want.

Florence is a to drive around as is Lucca. Might be worthwhile staying outside and visiting via Public transport. Both are good places to visit.

Milan is just another big city, Verona is small and compact and the amphitheatre is worth visiting. Juliet's balcony may disappoint.

Don't drive around or through Rome it's madness. Saying that, I've driven Rome to Venice a couple of times. You can park your RR in Venice at the Tronchetto multi storey. If you've not been to Venice it is wonderful but full of visitors.

If you ever get as far as Sicily you must take your RR to Mount Etna and park at the Rifugio Sapienza. There is something very satisfying being the only UK registered motor on the car park especially when it is a Range Rover.

Don't be put off by the size of your car. If a normal size Transit van can get through the gap you can.

Enjoy your trip wherever you go.  Travelling around in circles again.

I Second Florence and Lucca.
You must visit the Uffizi Gallery if you go to Florence, took this pic on my phone (no cameras allowed inside)

Click image to enlarge

S33MAF - If it wasn't for the shoes issue I'd second Milan. Been there, done that and had a very empty wallet  Travelling around in circles again.

Thanks a lot of guys - lots of useful information to start with and think I've almost convinced SWMBO to take road over rail...

I even suggested we camp in certain places and that raised some interest...

I'll look over all the suggestions and try put together a rough itinerary to post up here in due course...

Think the FFRR deserves the outing... MY11 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - "African Queen"

Living out of the back of your FFRR for a few weeks might pay for those shoes!

All - just want to say thanks for all your recommendations, convinced me to do the trip by road.

However, SWMBO has now decided that this trip should be put on hold as we are going to Aus for 9 weeks at the end of the year and she wont have enough money for shopping!

So now to plan an Aus road trip.. joy! MY11 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - "African Queen"