Patrick & Sally's European Road Trip

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• published: 05 Jul 2012
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EUROPEAN ROAD TRIP JUNE 2012 21st June-1st July The Itinerary (See links to Google maps)   Day 1-393km-From Pangbourne on afternoon Eurotunnel crossing and drive to just beyond Brugge-motorways. Day 2-581km-Baden Baden via Spa, Belgium, mostly motorways Day 3-- Black Forest , North  to South, the bendy stuff! Day 4- 390km- On South through the Black Forest, Swiss motorways, San Bernardino Pass, More motorways South, Lakeside drives Lugano and ferry across Como Day 5-Rest on Como Day 6-440km-Lakeside on Como to Lecce, motorways South to Florence, Via Chiantigiana to Radda Day 7- Local drives Tuscany Day 8- Back roads to Siena and back to Radda Day 9-  403km-Back roads Radda to Poggibonsi, cross country North to Pisa, motorways to near Turin, Mombello Monferatto Day 10-320km-Cross Country and Motorways to Aosta, Great St Bernard Pass,  through Switzerland to Jougne just inside France Day 11-960km-Cross country to Besancon, then motorways and Eurotunnel home. Total Distance about 4200km   Driving Highlights   Spa Circuit-We drove the old road circuit where we could. The NW side would always be blocked by the new circuit, but unfortuneately they were resurfacing around Burnenville , so that section was denied to us too.   The De-restricted parts of the German Autobahns-will make driving English Motorways, feel very slow in future.   The Black Forest- Baden Baden to Schwand. Modified but shamelessly plagerised from Ultimatedrives Black Forest Route.The best sustained fun of the whole trip! The sweeping wide openness of 500, narrower twistier descent to Oppenau, The climb to Kandel Pass, the Wolfach valley are just a few of the items that stand out.   San Bernardino Pass-We did it going South,which is steeper up and gentler down. Followed another Black Boxster S. Picking your moment to leave the holding car park at the bottom  is key to a clear run! Overtaking difficult on the way up, but possible on the way down.   Lugano and Como lakeside drives   Via Chiantigiana SR222, South from Florence to Greve in Chianti , then the secondary roads (SP2 Bis) off this to Radda are all superb.   Cavriglia to Siena on  SP408, winding through the Tuscan countryside and woods   Radda to Poggibonsi on SP429, going west out of Radda, more endless winding roads through pine trees   The Great St Bernard Pass-drove this going North from Italy to Switzerland, the classic Italian Job Lambourgini Muira Alpine pass run -and yes I did have "On days Like These" by Matt Munro playing! Plenty of stops, to re-run sections and change the camera positions. Open enough, with enough forward visibility to overtake in many places   The French Dura, N57 Swiss border to Besancon-This would have been a pleasant sweeping sort of drive if it hadnt been absolutely lashing with rain!   Where we stayed   Belgium Het Pauwenhof-delightful B&B; in traditional Belgian farmhouse, with great loft room.Beautifully decorated by the owner, the room is tucked up in the eaves, with a deep bath in the room ,seperate loo and a huge comfy bed.   North Black Forest Auerhahn- Good small hotel just South Of Baden Baden ,ready for a days driving South through the Black Forest. Germans in good spirits that night as they beat Greece in the Euros.   South Black Forest Sennhutte-Another good small hotel at the South end of the Black Forest, with great views of the surrounding countryside, another good outside terrace for relaxing eating and drinking.   Lake Como, Northern Italy Aurora- 2 night stop over on Lake Como, brilliant hotel, great food in restaurant over looking the lake, make sure you get a balcony in the old hotel, for character or if you want modern , go for the annex .Hotel run by a family with at least 2 generations of waterski champions! I guess that comes of being brought up on lake Como, and there was every indication of it continuing-there were some great displays of wakeboarding skill from kids as young as 5! If you love your car they will even give you your own garage!  Spent a day chilling on the lakeside decking and taking a dip to cool down.   Radda in Chianti, Tuscany Vignale- The Italian version of the English Country House Hotel, we had a suite  with Hall, bathroom, drawing room, bedroom and balcony with fabulous views looking South over the vineyards. There's a swimming pool and a great open terrace restaurant. Also a number of other terraces with views, particularly nice Wisteria surrounded one for pre-dinner drinks. Very helpful and friendly staff.   Monbello Monferatto Palazzo Tornielli-B&B; in an old Palace where Napolean signed a peace treaty with Genoa, still run by a family member, a stay steeped in history and period decor. This was  definitely the quirkiest place we stayed,with a very chic but slightly nutty owner!   Jougne, France La Couronne very nice hotel, we took the Suite Chic Montagne and had an outstanding dinner.Run by very friendly Husband (chef)  and Wife team.     Where we ate   Belgium The