Euro Trip in the Benz

[kap02]

Afternoon All !

As the title suggests I am looking to do a Euro tour with my wife in our new car (2010 C250cdi Auto).

We have managed to narrow the trip down to the following:

Calais to luxembourg

Luxembourg to Munich (Via Stuggart - Mercedes Museum tour)

Munich to Zurich - Via German alpine pass (will also do bmw tour in munich )

Zurch to Paris - via Dijon (2-3 hour stop)


The questions I have to those who have done any kind of travel abroad:

1. What do you think of the general route?

2. I will be traveling end of March which looking at the average climates does not warranty winter tyres, although my only concern is the German alpine pass - Are the general roads ok with standard tyres?

3. Apart from the legal requirements i.e first aid kid, triangle and breathalyser should I be taking anything else?

 

[BTB 500]

My in-laws live in the Stuttgart area and it was pretty snowy there when I went in February a few years ago! Most of the locals leave winter tyres on till Easter, end of March should be OK I guess. Don't know about the alpine passes though.

 

[kap02]

My in-laws live in the Stuttgart area and it was pretty snowy there when I went in February a few years ago! Most of the locals leave winter tyres on till Easter, end of March should be OK I guess. Don't know about the alpine passes though.

Thanks for that, I guess its a case of looking at the weather closer to the time.

We are planning to go the last week of march.

Apart from the Mercedes Museum is there anything else to see?

 

[tode]

Afternoon All !

As the title suggests I am looking to do a Euro tour . . . .

3. Apart from the legal requirements i.e first aid kid, triangle and breathalyser should I be taking anything else?

The AA guide to travelling in Europe is complete and reliable: have a look.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

I'm going to be following this thread with interest because Mrs KE and I will be giving our new C350 Sport a good run out of a similar nature in June. We're thinking about going a little further (to North Italy), but will start off on the same route as you.

I've heard it's worth filling up with fuel in Luxembourg because it's a lot cheaper there.

Apart from booking the Eurotunnel, we're going to wing the whole trip. Hopefully shouldn't be any trouble finding places to stay in June. Anyone else with similar experience?

I'd also like to hear any recommendations for "roads not to miss". The journey is for the drive every bit as much as the destination, wherever that may be.

 

[Frugal]

The route via Luxembourg is pretty straightforward and as above I'd recommend that you pause there to refuel (deisel was €1.14 per litre about a year ago) and booze/fags much cheaper too due to less unfavourable taxation.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Luxembourg is well worth the visit for cheap fuel, all the border crossings are stacked up with filling stations.

Stuttgart has a good Porsche museum too..My German green guide is packed away somewhere, but I think that is it for world class destinations.

Munich is a great city, but you are going a long way east and then back again on some pretty clogged roads. If you want to see Zurich, the autobahn from Stuttgart there is a superb one, relatively clear, lovely long bends and good views - great to stretch the car legs on a de-restricted autobahn. I would take in Strasbourg and Alsace - the area is immensely beautiful and I recall a magical trip in the snow at the end of February 2004, the place resembling something from Hansel and Gretel. The passes through the Vosges from Alsace towards Paris are pretty special.

As to a trip down to Northern Italy - don't miss Piedmont. Stunning countryside, food and wine.

 

[Igurisu]

Regarding winter tyres, its not just a personal choice. It is law that you must have snow tyres fitted if there is snow or ice on the roads. If stopped and found to be not complying you get a €40 fine, if involved in an accident then this increases to €80.

If you have time in Stuttgart then the Porsche museum is also worth visiting. On the way to Stuttgart Baden-Baden is well worth a visit. A lovely historical town with Roman Spa baths that have both indoor and outdoor areas.

 

[kap02]

Luxembourg is well worth the visit for cheap fuel, all the border crossings are stacked up with filling stations.

Stuttgart has a good Porsche museum too..My German green guide is packed away somewhere, but I think that is it for world class destinations.

Munich is a great city, but you are going a long way east and then back again on some pretty clogged roads. If you want to see Zurich, the autobahn from Stuttgart there is a superb one, relatively clear, lovely long bends and good views - great to stretch the car legs on a de-restricted autobahn. I would take in Strasbourg and Alsace - the area is immensely beautiful and I recall a magical trip in the snow at the end of February 2004, the place resembling something from Hansel and Gretel. The passes through the Vosges from Alsace towards Paris are pretty special.

As to a trip down to Northern Italy - don't miss Piedmont. Stunning countryside, food and wine.

You make an excellent point about Munich as our original plan was stuttgart then zurich.

But the roads you mention does this meet any of the german alpine road?

Excellent point regarding fuel.

 

[kap02]

Regarding winter tyres, its not just a personal choice. It is law that you must have snow tyres fitted if there is snow or ice on the roads. If stopped and found to be not complying you get a €40 fine, if involved in an accident then this increases to €80.

If you have time in Stuttgart then the Porsche museum is also worth visiting. On the way to Stuttgart Baden-Baden is well worth a visit. A lovely historical town with Roman Spa baths that have both indoor and outdoor areas.

Looking at my current tread levels on the rear I may need a new set before my trip. It would make sense to drive on fresh rubber too.

I think the best option is to assess the weather closer to the time.

 

[kap02]

I'm going to be following this thread with interest because Mrs KE and I will be giving our new C350 Sport a good run out of a similar nature in June. We're thinking about going a little further (to North Italy), but will start off on the same route as you.

I've heard it's worth filling up with fuel in Luxembourg because it's a lot cheaper there.

Apart from booking the Eurotunnel, we're going to wing the whole trip. Hopefully shouldn't be any trouble finding places to stay in June. Anyone else with similar experience?

I'd also like to hear any recommendations for "roads not to miss". The journey is for the drive every bit as much as the destination, wherever that may be.

Driving the German Alpine Road / Deutsche Alpenstrasse

 

[bing]

Zurch to Paris - via Dijon (2-3 hour stop)

Probably worse part of your trip this leg. Dijon is nice though, but Paris sh*t place for cars. Normally avoid if you're on a roadtrip unless you have to of course.

 

[BTB 500]

We used to go via Luxembourg but only because the M-I-L wanted us to get cigarettes for her there! Now I prefer to save a bit of time by taking a more direct route (and paying a few pence a litre more for fuel).

 

[kap02]

Probably worse part of your trip this leg. Dijon is nice though, but Paris sh*t place for cars. Normally avoid if you're on a roadtrip unless you have to of course.

To be honest, i agree. but my plan is to find a secure hotel car park and use public transport! Wife wants to see paris...

 

[kap02]

We used to go via Luxembourg but only because the M-I-L wanted us to get cigarettes for her there! Now I prefer to save a bit of time by taking a more direct route (and paying a few pence a litre more for fuel).

Well I dont smoke but I was using luxembourg as a stop off from calais as calais to stuttgart is to far to travel in one day.

Any other ideas?

 

[Charles Morgan]

You make an excellent point about Munich as our original plan was stuttgart then zurich.

But the roads you mention does this meet any of the german alpine road?

Excellent point regarding fuel.

No - the Alpenstrasse is on its own in the Alps. However idyllic the descriptions, east west traffic in Germany is very heavy. I travelled to Berchtesgaden and back around Munich - the autobahns in the area were hellish with lorries toing and froing from eastern Europe.

 

[bing]

To be honest, i agree. but my plan is to find a secure hotel car park and use public transport! Wife wants to see paris...

Yes, If you have to then park securily (which won't be cheap. Most city hotels charge ) and metro it, cab it and walk it! Done it twice, and each occassion it's been a nuisance. But generally I avoid big cities when on a roadtrip.

Paris is a beautiful city so maybe worth the hassle. (Well, for the Mrs at least :bannana: )

 

[kap02]

No - the Alpenstrasse is on its own in the Alps. However idyllic the descriptions, east west traffic in Germany is very heavy. I travelled to Berchtesgaden and back around Munich - the autobahns in the area were hellish with lorries toing and froing from eastern Europe.

What would you suggest I go stuttgart to Zurich instead?

 

[kap02]

Yes, If you have to then park securily (which won't be cheap. Most city hotels charge ) and metro it, cab it and walk it! Done it twice, and each occassion it's been a nuisance. But generally I avoid big cities when on a roadtrip.

Paris is a beautiful city so maybe worth the hassle. (Well, for the Mrs at least :bannana: )

Ibis paris charges £13 for 24 hours which is worth it.

This is underground and secure.

 

[Charles Morgan]

What would you suggest I go stuttgart to Zurich instead?

It's really your choice, depending upon what you want to achieve, but having done that dogleg, I would spend a bit more time in France returning from Zurich (but that's what I would do anyway!).