Road Trip - Europe 2019

[Devilz]

I am planning to do road trip across Europe this summer. This will be my first ever road trip and all I have in my head is to go around Nurbugring, rest I have no clue.

Need all the advice and info I can gather to make this trip as fun as possible.

Thanks

 

[CarbonMike]

There is so much to do an see it really does depend on what peaks your interest!

 

[Rich76]

We do one every year,averaging around 2500 miles in two weeks

Have gone as far as Barcelona , Andorra ave Venice .

Did a small trip to Holland at Christmas

Use via Michelin to plan the routes and booking.com for accommodation


Here is my A4 in Andorra

 

[Rich76]

This year it looks like we are doing St Tropez , Monaco and lake Garda

 

[Devilz]

Like I mentioned, it will be first ever road trip so I am kinda noob and got zero info. This is why I put the thread to get as much info as I can.

Cheers

 

[AeroMad]

Advice for any road trip:

• Know the local rules and regs, quite a few countries require a hi-vis for every seat as well as a set of spare lamps, warning triangle, ect. Depending on where you go there may also be a requirement to buy a Vignette or local emission / congestion charge,
• European breakdown cover is a must, saved me when I had a coil pack fail on my LCR in the middle of Germany,
• Always carry your V5 and a print out of your insurance documents, keep scanned copies (Drivers license and Passport included) on a dropbox as well in case any were to go missing...
  
• Learn the local language, obviously don't expect you to become fluent overnight but simple phrases and sentences and attempting goes a long way,
  
• Modifications: As usual, you're expected to declare any modifications to your insurance company and ensure it's road legal. German and Austrian Polizei are very good at catching people out on this. They have (like any police in the EU) the ability to make your car Verboten for the public highway, which means it can only return to the UK, on the back of a truck... very dull.

Boring stuff aside, If Germany and Autobahn is your thing, you can do a tour of the big German Car makers. Wolfsberg (Highly recommended), Stuttgart, Munich, and Ingolstadt.
Further afield you have an abundance of mountain passes between Switzerland and Italy but do check when they are open due to skiing seasons.

 

[Devilz]

Advice for any road trip:

• Know the local rules and regs, quite a few countries require a hi-vis for every seat as well as a set of spare lamps, warning triangle, ect. Depending on where you go there may also be a requirement to buy a Vignette or local emission / congestion charge,
• European breakdown cover is a must, saved me when I had a coil pack fail on my LCR in the middle of Germany,
• Always carry your V5 and a print out of your insurance documents, keep scanned copies (Drivers license and Passport included) on a dropbox as well in case any were to go missing...
  
• Learn the local language, obviously don't expect you to become fluent overnight but simple phrases and sentences and attempting goes a long way,
  
• Modifications: As usual, you're expected to declare any modifications to your insurance company and ensure it's road legal. German and Austrian Polizei are very good at catching people out on this. They have (like any police in the EU) the ability to make your car Verboten for the public highway, which means it can only return to the UK, on the back of a truck... very dull.

Boring stuff aside, If Germany and Autobahn is your thing, you can do a tour of the big German Car makers. Wolfsberg (Highly recommended), Stuttgart, Munich, and Ingolstadt.
Further afield you have an abundance of mountain passes between Switzerland and Italy but do check when they are open due to skiing seasons.

Thanks.

Someone told me GB sign is a must on number plate? Is it true?

 

[AeroMad]

Thanks.

Someone told me GB sign is a must on number plate? Is it true?

Two parts to this I'm afraid.

Assume you're referring to this style numberplate below.

The "dual purpose plate" has always been optional with UK registered vehicles and there isn't an EU law saying you need one.

However, you are required to display your country of origin.
You can either get dual purpose plates, or go old fashioned and use a GB oval sticker like the one below.

 

[Simon Lowe]

You will love it , we have been doing it for years, make sure you do the Alps some of the roads are stunning!!, obviously this year might be slightly different as we are supposed to be out of the Eu but just display a GB sticker and you’ll be fine
We are Doing the Cinque terre via Swiss and Lake Garda on the way back, Italy’s lakes are a sight to behold if a litre expensive , Back via Garmish and Bavaria a fill up in Lux and pop on train home... easy peazy

 

[45bvtc]

Priorité a droite:
The overriding rule of the road in France is Priorité a droite which basically means that you must give way to traffic coming from your right. It is an archaic law that dates back to the times of the horse and cart and for some unknown reason has never been repealed. It is true to say however that the French have spent thousands of millions of Euros to indicate that it does not apply in most circumstances.

The old driving proverb is very apt here. "if in doubt put both feet out" i.e. Slow down or stop.

And don't forget the French Alps, superb fun - here in July 1983:

 

[Simon Lowe]

Priorité a droite:
The overriding rule of the road in France is Priorité a droite which basically means that you must give way to traffic coming from your right. It is an archaic law that dates back to the times of the horse and cart and for some unknown reason has never been repealed. It is true to say however that the French have spent thousands of millions of Euros to indicate that it does not apply in most circumstances.

The old driving proverb is very apt here. "if in doubt put both feet out" i.e. Slow down or stop.

And don't forget the French Alps, superb fun - here in July 1983:
Not many places have this prehistoric law, but it is funny when a guy pulls straight out in front of you !!
Attached pic is what you need to watch out for
View attachment 173408

 

[45bvtc]

View attachment 173411

In my experience the French regional locals have NO idea what that 'strike-through-sign' means, Simon; and currently they seem to be burning any and all signs with a 'yellow' background...

 

[Simon Lowe]

Lol yes I suppose you are right, only this lunch a load came in for some refreshments because as u know it all stops for food here no matter what!!

 

[JonChalk]

Are you going on your own, or with a passenger?

If you're on your own and intending to use toll motorways / autoroutes, then get a tag, otherwise you'll have a queue of angry locals while you get out to pay (seen it, laughed at it, sorry).

If you're going with a passenger, pick someone tall, if you value scuff-free alloys ;-)

 

[Rich76]

Have to agree with the above comment and make sure you have change !

Looks like our route is planned but we will be getting straight out of France in to Belgium

 

[Devilz]

Will be 3 in total, all drivers so guess driving the miles won't be problem.

I am thinking to go sometime in April/May, is this the good time?

 

[Rich76]

All depends where you plan on going, some of the higher routes in the alps etc are still closed in April

Our outbound route is as follows
France
Belgium
Luxembourg (really cheap fuel)
Germany
Austria
Italy

 

[Simon Lowe]

Spooky that’s my exact itinerary!!, and yes mega cheap fuel, also Italy is a fabulous place , and don’t get caught speeding in Austria .. enjoy

 

[RS3 S.]

I got caught speeding in Austria, fine came throught about 2 months after we got back (thought i saw a camera flash me) if you do get caught pay it !!!!. Around 40 euro's i think & no points but they will not let it go if you don't & it just gets worse, they hand it over to one of those debt collection agency companies.

 

[PGunter]

You will have some great fun. The roads around Europe are great compared to the UK.

Here is a link to a great video of the BMW Tour is helped organise in 2017. If you go through to around 9 minutes onwards you will see the great alpine passes. If you go in April though I expect most will still be closed. I would recommend you get a TAG before you go over as it makes it so much easier.

Enjoy the experience and hope you enjoy the video.