European Road trip 2023 ( The 3 lakes )

[Aerialmark]

As the title suggests we set off on Sunday with the Z for our first long trip in her.The plan is to cross on the Eurotunnel and go to lake Garda via lakes Annecy and Como. We have booked nowhere and planned nothing in advance. The only rule is that we will not come back the same way used to get there. So a rough idea will be ( from the Eurotunnel ) Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Austria, Germany then back to Belgium and Eurotunnel then home to Burnley. I would like to travel the Stelvio pass and I have also got a surprise for my wife in Germany !
My wife says I would sleep with my car if I could as I spent so much time tinkering with her so thats what we are going to do ! In Frankfurt there is a hotel where your car comes in the room with you so I have made a provisional booking for a room on a high floor where the car will come with us into the room (its actually separated by sliding patio doors but you can keep them open then the car will be next to the bed ) I know how much she will love it.......... NOT !
I will update the thread as I go along with pictures. Fingers crossed all goes well with the car. Its at the garage as I type having its mot and a minor service including replacement of auxiliary belt that doesn't look like its been done in quite a while.

You can see how much she will appreciate the car on her side next to her with patio doors open car on ticker over to help me off to sleep !

 

[Robotsan]

Wow that's crazy. So they have some sort of lift to take the cars up to the rooms?!

 

[Aerialmark]

Yes, its not really for idiots like me its for parents with young children or disabled people I think. The idea being you don't have to unload your luggage or children you check in at reception and you card is programmed to the room and floor so you tap it on the car lift and it takes you to your room and floor. Its a drive in drive out sort of thing as I believe there are two lifts ( Up & Down ) Im looking forward to it and seeing my wife face

 

[Geoff-R]

Sounds like a great trip, the lakes are beautiful as well.

That room looks brilliant, just googled it, what a great idea!

Enjoy the Stelvio, go easy on the brakes. I've only been once when I was younger with a couple of mates on one of those cheap rallies, we had an old Merc 190e with a 2 litre petrol engine, my god it struggled like hell up there. I'd love to take my M3 up there.

 

[IbanezDan51]

Thats a mega trip - how long have you estimated to do the trip? And if you dont mind me asking - costs? Id love to do the same thing in the next year or so.

 

[Aerialmark]

Hi, we have planned on about 18 to 20 days. As for costs we have planned on about €6000 all in. That’s Eurotunnel, accommodation,fuel, food, tolls and ice cream money. We are not big drinkers nor do we eat posh meals in restaurants ( unless someone else is paying ) Accommodation alone will account for about €2500, fuel about €1000 ( The car is noticeably more economical when my wife is sat in it )

 

[MCBladeRun]

Sounds mint that. I've driven to lake Garda but in a Honda CRV. Took the car from Bristol to Dover, Calais. France to Switzerland (Watching the melt water off the mountains is a sight to see). Drove through Milan during rush hour traffic .

Under Mount Blanc on the return leg and stayed in Paris overnight. (Calais, Dover, Bristol).

There are lots of highlights and memories I have of the holiday. Lake Garda's weather can quickly change from sunny to end of days at the flip of a coin!

 

[s2k_adz]

Always thought a 370 roadster is the perfect road trip car!

 

[IbanezDan51]

Hi, we have planned on about 18 to 20 days. As for costs we have planned on about €6000 all in. That’s Eurotunnel, accommodation,fuel, food, tolls and ice cream money. We are not big drinkers nor do we eat posh meals in restaurants ( unless someone else is paying ) Accommodation alone will account for about €2500, fuel about €1000 ( The car is noticeably more economical when my wife is sat in it )

Brilliant! Definitely on my to do list!

 

[Bazzateer]

I'm looking forward to it and seeing my wife's face

Surely you've seen her face before!?

 

[AD240Z]

Surely you've seen her face before!?

I’d say do ‘My wife says I would sleep with my car if I could as I spent so much time tinkering with her’

 

[AD240Z]

As the title suggests we set off on Sunday with the Z for our first long trip in her.The plan is to cross on the Eurotunnel and go to lake Garda via lakes Annecy and Como. We have booked nowhere and planned nothing in advance. The only rule is that we will not come back the same way used to get there. So a rough idea will be ( from the Eurotunnel ) Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Austria, Germany then back to Belgium and Eurotunnel then home to Burnley. I would like to travel the Stelvio pass and I have also got a surprise for my wife in Germany !
My wife says I would sleep with my car if I could as I spent so much time tinkering with her so thats what we are going to do ! In Frankfurt there is a hotel where your car comes in the room with you so I have made a provisional booking for a room on a high floor where the car will come with us into the room (its actually separated by sliding patio doors but you can keep them open then the car will be next to the bed ) I know how much she will love it.......... NOT !
I will update the thread as I go along with pictures. Fingers crossed all goes well with the car. Its at the garage as I type having its mot and a minor service including replacement of auxiliary belt that doesn't look like its been done in quite a while.
View attachment 58719
You can see how much she will appreciate the car on her side next to her with patio doors open car on ticker over to help me off to sleep !

Sounds like a great trip mate

 

[Aerialmark]

Always thought a 370 roadster is the perfect road trip car!

Yes I agree, it was bought with this type of trip in mind.

 

[Aerialmark]

We are now in queue for Eurotunnel. We set off from Burnley at 06-30 this morning and have spent half an hour in the flex plus lounge. The reason for the lounge is that we had an unused crossing from 2020 for the motorhome so decided to used that up before it expired.
We have had to be careful with packing as the boot is so small. Now on train. The weather here is awful.

 

[Paul_S]

Awesome! Have a fantastic time

We're just planning a road trip to Vienna. We're going to see Rammstein play (couldn't get Fire Zone tickets for Berlin) and decided to turn it into a proper adventure through the Black Forest, etc.

Love that accommodation!!

 

[Aerialmark]

Sounds like a plan Paul
Just to add I’ve done 340 miles and no engine light on (if you remember sensor 1 bank 1 ) as soon as I join the queue for check in with engine on tick over on it comes . Anyone any ideas ? No problem when travelling but as soon as I’m going slow after a good run on it comes !
Just arrived in France. First time using the tunnel and have to say very straightforward. Going to stay in Belgium tonight, Ghent I think if we find a cheap ish hotel.

 

[Paul_S]

Jeez... Could it be something to do with heat soak?

Ghent is lovely, highly recommended

 

[Aerialmark]

Reached hotel in Maldegem. I’ve done just over 400miles so that’s enough for day 1. Luxembourg tomorrow

 

[Paul_S]

Reached hotel in Maldegem. I’ve done just over 400miles so that’s enough for day 1. Luxembourg tomorrow

Cheap fuel in Luxembourg. Time you fuel stops wisely!

 

[Aerialmark]

Unfortunately I’ve had to refill Paul. But I have to say I thought she did well. I’ve managed 400 miles on a tank with 30 miles range left. I’ve just put a further €100 Euro in and range is now a healthy 436. I will take that considering when I set off it was 273 for a full tank. I have stuck to 70 all the way.