Route recommendations please, for UK to Modena

[skiman]

Re. closed passes: I frequently drive around the Dolomites and Austrian Alps in winter ski season and almost all passes and through routes are kept open/cleared promptly, even after substantial snowfalls. Driving basic rental cars, on dozens of trips, I have only ever needed snow chains once (Arlberg Pass 23 years ago).

A minority passes are not kept open in winter. Those which are classed as in operation will be opened within a few hours unless there is a huge fall.

In December a few years ago I was returning from Italy to Innsbruck Airport, over the Brenner Pass, in heavy snow. Traffic flowed freely at 80kph, following teams of snowploughs 3-abreast at 5 minute intervals in both directions. The road surface never got the chance accumulate more than a few mm of snow.

In May it's possible that some passes may still be closed but with those that are intended to be open I think the chance of disruptions are pretty small.

 

[RoaryRati]

I forgot to mention I also look at snow-forecast.com to give a clue - although it often exagerates the snowfall it does also have webcams of the areas (I know @skiman uses another and he kindly shared it with me but I've yet to get my head round it)

 

[Scaf]

My trip in June

Roads clear but hardly “Maserati” driving conditions

 

[general_piffle]

Well, I'm booked in for certification. The Ghibli will be with the Classiche Program team from Mon May 6th to Fri 10th. Just a bit excited!

 

[skiman]

Sadly, Scaf's experience in June (above) is not unusual. I've had similar soggy and disappointing days in early summer - last time I drove Passo Pordi in June the whole day was torrential rain with murky low cloud at the top.

 

[Bologna1973]

It’s great drive, you could also pack in the Lamborghini museum in st Agata bolognese, Ferrari museum in Maranello and couple of smaller museums in Emilia such as stanguellini in Modena: https://www.stanguellini.it/

Museo Pagàni also close to Modena: https://www.pagani.com/guided-tours/

Also the casa museo Pavarotti in Modena is brilliant: https://www.casamuseolucianopavarotti.it/en/

 

[bigbob]

I went over the Timmelsjoch in late September in my GranTurismo. It was outstanding and I would highly recommend it. Regarding routes I went nowhere near France and stayed in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In fact I was in Trier a few days after the SM crew and it was still standing!

 

[RoaryRati]

I went over the Timmelsjoch in late September in my GranTurismo. It was outstanding and I would highly recommend it. Regarding routes I went nowhere near France and stayed in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In fact I was in Trier a few days after the SM crew and it was still standing!

We did Timmelsjoch in early June - I agree "outstanding" and worth every penny - check out

to see what we enjoyed

 

[RoaryRati]

Sadly, Scaf's experience in June (above) is not unusual. I've had similar soggy and disappointing days in early summer - last time I drove Passo Pordi in June the whole day was torrential rain with murky low cloud at the top.

Yes, it was grim when we did the Grimsel - fortunately I didn't waste my money on booking in this lovely (but expensive) hotel

 

[safrane]

Yes, it was grim when we did the Grimsel - fortunately I didn't waste my money on booking in this lovely (but expensive) hotelView attachment 120961

Thats how it was for me in 2015 mid Sept.

 

[general_piffle]

One quick question for seasoned European drivers.

How do you go about negotiating roundabouts? Is it a bit weird until you get used to it?

Should say that my Ghibli is a left hooker, and I’m used to driving it in the UK but have never done so abroad.

 

[Oneball]

One quick question for seasoned European drivers.

How do you go about negotiating roundabouts? Is it a bit weird until you get used to it?

Should say that my Ghibli is a left hooker, and I’m used to driving it in the UK but have never done so abroad.

You don’t even notice the wrong way at roundabouts. The only time I find you have to concentrate is if you’re in the middle of nowhere and pull out of say a single track road, then you have to make double sure you’re on the right.

 

[Zep]

What he says. Busy roundabouts and roads are fine, it’s the deserted roads where it catches you out.

You’ll scare the **** out of yourself once and then never do it again.

 

[joered]

So, next year probably mid May 2024 the plan is to drive the Ghibli from the UK to France (via the Eurostar) then on to Italy, Modena. To visit the Maserati factory, the Panini Motor Museum and spend a few nights in Modena, before driving back.

It'll be a relaxed tour, probably 3 days to get there, spend 3 days in Modena, then 3 days driving back, staying at hotels for a night along the way.

I'd be keen to hear from people who've done the trip before on best (most scenic) routes to take and what to watch out for?! Recommendations welcome, thank you.

Last few times I have driven to Italy i have gone through Germany,Admittedly i am coming from Scotland so its the boat from Newcastle to Amsterdam, After the boat the first night was at Ulm great hotel just off the motorway called the Seligweiler Hotel and restaurant. with enormous car park. Then next day through Austria into Italy, Austria toll paid in advance online is 9 euros, better than 47euros if going through Switzerland into Italy.

If your going to Maserati factory you can get tour, if available free if you have your Vin Number so I have been told, As i did not have my Maserati or number with me i only went to the Panini collection you will need a sat nav as the collection is on a farm in the middle of nowhere!

 

[RoaryRati]

You may have to be careful in more rural areas France as they have/had 'priority to the right' where by even if you're on a mainer road you have to give way to a lesser road on your right - it is France - although they abandoned that rule some time ago some of the older drivers 'forget' and I did hear a rumour they may be reinstating it - but I'm sure @philw696 will clarify

 

[RodTungsten]

We had that a few times in FR where a small vehicle would lurch out into the main road in front of us - close moments too in towns where possibly driving a CX made the frogs think we were natives.
Roundabouts often have “vous n’avez pas priorité” on the approach to remind everyone.

 

[philw696]

You may have to be careful in more rural areas France as they have/had 'priority to the right' where by even if you're on a mainer road you have to give way to a lesser road on your right - it is France - although they abandoned that rule some time ago some of the older drivers 'forget' and I did hear a rumour they may be reinstating it - but I'm sure @philw696 will clarify

Absolutely and it's being reinstated more and more all over France Priority to the right.
Personally I would never dream of just coming out to join a road but many will do it as they have priority so if you hit them you will be at fault.

 

[bigbob]

We did Timmelsjoch in early June - I agree "outstanding" and worth every penny - check out

to see what we enjoyed

Great video especially being followed by a Volvo! We had a coffee stop at the top before paying our euros to drive on the materially worse Italian side.

 

[outrun]

I'd be avoiding France and driving down through Germany instead. Autobahns, of course, but also nice places to stop such as the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Then into Austria and Switzerland, dropping in to Italy at Bornio via the Stelvio Pass.

 

[general_piffle]

I'd be avoiding France and driving down through Germany instead. Autobahns, of course, but also nice places to stop such as the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Then into Austria and Switzerland, dropping in to Italy at Bornio via the Stelvio Pass.

Good ideas, thanks! But I’ve got a few reasons for picking France for most of the trip down, then Switzerland on the way back.

I speak some French, which helps massively. Plus from my basic experience of both countries I found French roads top notch and German autobahns a bit bland. Also the food! French restaurants compared to German - no contest!

But Austria is lovely, I could see myself trying an alternative route another time that maybe took in somewhere memorable like the Black Forest.