Planned your 2017 road trip(s)yet?

[Bobby Dazzler]

Thinking of doing Route Napolean on the return leg, heading North from Cannes towards Grenoble. Is Northbound better worse or just the same as Southbound? In the interests of speed, we may only cover part of it, so any thoughts on must-do or OK-to-miss sections?

 

[Bombardier]

Make sure that any of you that are going through any major city in France apply for a new windscreen sticker before you go, big fines from next month if you don't!
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-ne...oduced-in-paris-uk-motorists-without-one-face
That report just mentions Paris but it is ALL French city's that will require the sticker.
A simple google of the words "'Crit'Air' windscreen sticker" will bring you to sites with more info and where to apply for one.

 

[rusty55]

I agree it's fun planning your road trip as it's now easy to view places of interest, also others have up loaded to YouTube live driving clips of interest or possible problem areas along some routes.
This year is planned but it's got to be the millau bridge next year sailing to Spain and driving back via France

 

[Benzmanc]

I agree it's fun planning your road trip as it's now easy to view places of interest, also others have up loaded to YouTube live driving clips of interest or possible problem areas along some routes.
This year is planned but it's got to be the millau bridge next year sailing to Spain and driving back via France

Try to stop at the Millau services on the motorway and then take a walk up the big hill (easy to find) for a fantastic panoramic view of the bridge

 

[st13phil]

Thinking of doing Route Napolean on the return leg, heading North from Cannes towards Grenoble. Is Northbound better worse or just the same as Southbound? In the interests of speed, we may only cover part of it, so any thoughts on must-do or OK-to-miss sections?

Not much difference in doing it northbound vs. southbound in my experience.

The section from Grasse to Digne-les-Bains is good. The section from Digne to Gap in the main follows the path of the A51 and isn't that interesting (although the Citadel at Sisteron is worth a look - take the petit train up from the town unless you're feeling very energetic), and so if time is precious I'd be inclined to hop on the AutoRoute for that section. Another alternative if you have time is to head north-east from Digne on the D900 over Col du Labouret, Col de Maure and Col Saint-Jean and then west on the D900B into Gap.

Things improve from Gap to Corps, but then become less interesting again on the section from Corps to Grenoble. I've never driven it, but there looks to be an interesting route over the cols if you want to head west from Corps via Mens to rejoin the A51 just south of Monestier-de-Clermont at Col du Fau, although time-wise I suspect that would take longer to get to Grenoble than if you stayed on the N85.

 

[Mike Walker]

Off to Stuttgart next week to MB Museum, Porsche Museum, Tour of Sindelfingen and then Techno Classica at Essen

 

[Smithy53]

We normally have a European tour of some description, but this year we're whizzing down to the South of France, with just one stopover in each direction. Still really looking forward to it though

If you are going through central France make sure you pay a visit to the World War 2 village of Oradour-sur-Glane, it's very sombre.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oradour-sur-Glane_massacre

 

[Smithy53]

We are going to be driving from Staffordshire to Plymouth, before boarding the Brittany Ferries to Santander then driving to Benidorm and Salou via Madrid. This is our first trip with the B Class after previously doing it with our old Renault Scenic

The best part of driving to Spain is the drive through France.

I've done it twice in the last few years and I've always avoided the motorways and dual-carriageways and gone via A&B roads. One year I went over the Pyrenees and the next time through Andorra.

You won't regret it.

 

[Londonscottish]

One year I went over the Pyrenees and the next time through Andorra.

You won't regret it.

Agree, amazing roads.

I should pick up my 212 E500 tomorrow or Friday.

I would chosen to drive Derby in it on Friday had I known I'd have it (QPR away game).

As it stands it'll be off on a jaunt through the Chilterns and Oxfordshire over the weekend then off to Wiltshire next week.

First French trip is at Easter, secone one booked for August.

Cant wait.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

If you are going through central France make sure you pay a visit to the World War 2 village of Oradour-sur-Glane, it's very sombre.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oradour-sur-Glane_massacre

Thanks for sharing. Not heard of it before, I'll take a closer look. Thanks again.

 

[st13phil]

If you are going through central France make sure you pay a visit to the World War 2 village of Oradour-sur-Glane, it's very sombre.

First time I went there (quite a few years ago) you could park by the gate at the end of the old village main street and just wander in. Last time I visited you're funnelled through a big visitor centre and through an underpass to get into the old village proper.

It's definitely an extraordinary place, and very moving to think of the atrocity carried out there, but in some ways I think the impact was greater in the old days when you could just wander in

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Make sure that any of you that are going through any major city in France apply for a new windscreen sticker before you go, big fines from next month if you don't!
'Clean air' stickers introduced in Paris, UK motorists without one face £117 fine | Auto Express
That report just mentions Paris but it is ALL French city's that will require the sticker.
A simple google of the words "'Crit'Air' windscreen sticker" will bring you to sites with more info and where to apply for one.

I've just ordered one, but I don't think I'll actually need it. I just hope it arrives much more quickly than the 6 weeks I've read about!

We'll pass through Lyon on the A6 and A7, and whilst Lyon is participating in this Crit'Air scheme it seems the A6 and A7 are both excluded, and so the sticker is not actually required as long as you stay on the motorway.

However having once got off the A6 and driven through Lyon city centre to avoid a long tailback resulting from an accident, I thought it best to get one, just in case. I don't plan to drive through Lyon, it was a nightmare even with COMAND!

It will also come in handy if we decide to pass through Grenoble on our way home, after driving Route Napolean.

 

[Steveml63]

Hi,
On Sunday we are driving from Abu Dhabi to a place in Oman called Nizwa.
We are staying at a hotel which is famous for being at the highest point of any hotel in the Middle East.
It overlooks what is supposed to be an amazing canyon - so looking forward to seeing the sunrise and/or sunset from our room balcony.
Cheers
Steve

 

[st13phil]

Don't forget to post up some piccies


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Hi,
On Sunday we are driving from Abu Dhabi to a place in Oman called Nizwa.
We are staying at a hotel which is famous for being at the highest point of any hotel in the Middle East.
It overlooks what is supposed to be an amazing canyon - so looking forward to seeing the sunrise and/or sunset from our room balcony.
Cheers
Steve

Are you staying at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort? If so then Top Gear were there recently, and it was aired on UK TV this week. Not sure if restrictions will stop you watching it, but here's a link:

BBC Two - Top Gear, Series 24, Episode 4

A beautiful hotel and amazing roads. Enjoy

 

[Steveml63]

Are you staying at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort? If so then Top Gear were there recently, and it was aired on UK TV this week. Not sure if restrictions will stop you watching it, but here's a link:

BBC Two - Top Gear, Series 24, Episode 4

A beautiful hotel and amazing roads. Enjoy

Hi,
Wow - yes that's the hotel we are staying at!
I will definitely look at that episode of Top Gear - thanks for the heads up!
There is apparently an Omani police checkpoint at the bottom of the mountain road - they won't let you pass unless you are driving a 4x4 vehicle.
Cheers
Steve

 

[Suky Sangha]

Ok I've got two road trips planned this year. One is in California July till August and the second is in Europe in September. USA road trip will be venturing top of California along the highway coast route down to San Diego staying and visiting places such as Disney land and universal studios. Lots of beach fun too.
Second road trip will be the Euro road trip which will take us from U.K. To Amsterdam, from here after a days site seeing we will be heading down to Baden Baden Germany Black Forest and then to Brienz lake Switzerland. From there we will be driving some alpine routes and heading of to lake Como and lake Garda

 

[Steveml63]

Hi,
We drove the 462km from Abu Dhabi to our hotel in Oman this morning - took 5 hours 27 minutes including stops at the border, fuel and breakfast.
Amazing journey - especially the last 40km up the twisty mountain road. A police checkpoint at the bottom prevents non 4x4 vehicles from making the journey.
This is the view from our room!

Apologies if it's sideways or upside down - always does this with my iPad!
Cheers
Steve

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Hi,
We drove the 462km from Abu Dhabi to our hotel in Oman this morning - took 5 hours 27 minutes including stops at the border, fuel and breakfast.
Amazing journey - especially the last 40km up the twisty mountain road. A police checkpoint at the bottom prevents non 4x4 vehicles from making the journey.
This is the view from our room!
View attachment 62569
Apologies if it's sideways or upside down - always does this with my iPad!
Cheers
Steve

The roads looked good on Top Gear. Were you in the ML63?

 

[Meldrew2]

December 2017 - a short road trip through the Florida Keys.

Arriving MIA 6 December, collect hire car and drive to Key Largo for 1 night.
7 December, continue to Key West for 2 nights.
9 December, Drive to Hollywood Beach for 1 night.
10 December, drop the car at Port Everglades, join Royal Princess cruise ship for 10 nights - letting the Captain do the "driving" for that part...

This will be our first time in the Keys - but we are planning on taking a few days longer in December 2018, before taking a slightly shorter cruise.