i have always wanted to drive to monaco, i want to see st tropez monaco and genova in italy, i have looked at the miles and its 2k return, now its only a thought but would any of you do that? have any of you done that and can you give me your thoughts? need to know how much roughly this should costs as i dont really want it to be more than 4k what with business they way it is i dont want to come back making more sheftalia to make up for the summer
summer hols to monaco
- Thread starter dem maser
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doodlebug
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Hi dem
I did a trip a bit like this with the missus for 2 weeks in June. We did a bit of a loop because we wanted to see a bit more of France.
Caught the Eurotunnel train and stayed the first night in the Somme so we could visit the WWI sites the next day. Had no problems with the low kerbs on the double-decker as has been commented on other threads.
After Somme, we headed off to Dordogne for a few days, then Cassis on the south coast. We then followed the coast east towards Antibes where we stopped off for another couple of days to explore the area.
We decided not to go to Italy because we spent too much time on the south coast and we were running out of time, so we went instead directly up to Annecy.
We then drove up through Switzerland and back into France ending up at Mulhouse to check out the Schlumpf Collection - best car museum ever.
Then to Reims for a Chateau stopover
then back home.
Did around 2500 miles in total, including the Cambridge to Chunnel bits. Total fuel was around £650 - tried to keep off the toll roads unless the scenery was a bit dull. Still spent a fair bit on tolls though, except for a couple of days when the toll operators were on strike! We bought a vignette for Switzerland (several 10s of CHF). I think hotels, food etc came to around £4. Most of the hotels were 3 star, but we did stay in a couple of 4 star and one chateau.
Best bits, apart from the trip itself - the roads. Autoroutes are fantastic, surfaces are usually as smooth as glass, drivers have good lane discipline and you can make good progress.
Worst bits - the roads. Road surface in some small towns and villages can be worse than those in the UK. The Peripherique deserves a special mention as well. The missus wasn't keen on the constant 'stares'. Even on the south coast where I would have thought a Maserati was a common sight.
Contrary to a lot of naysayers, the in-built SatNav performed faultlessly. Only hassle was the need to change discs when changing regions, but soon got used to that. Was much better and more accurate than the portable SatNav which we took as a backup.
Planning on going again soon to make use of the remaining time on the vignette.
Don't forget to pack LIGHT. Theft is rife on the south coast, so don't leave anything in the car!
Have a nice trip.
I did a trip a bit like this with the missus for 2 weeks in June. We did a bit of a loop because we wanted to see a bit more of France.
Caught the Eurotunnel train and stayed the first night in the Somme so we could visit the WWI sites the next day. Had no problems with the low kerbs on the double-decker as has been commented on other threads.
After Somme, we headed off to Dordogne for a few days, then Cassis on the south coast. We then followed the coast east towards Antibes where we stopped off for another couple of days to explore the area.
We decided not to go to Italy because we spent too much time on the south coast and we were running out of time, so we went instead directly up to Annecy.
We then drove up through Switzerland and back into France ending up at Mulhouse to check out the Schlumpf Collection - best car museum ever.
Then to Reims for a Chateau stopover
then back home. Did around 2500 miles in total, including the Cambridge to Chunnel bits. Total fuel was around £650 - tried to keep off the toll roads unless the scenery was a bit dull. Still spent a fair bit on tolls though, except for a couple of days when the toll operators were on strike! We bought a vignette for Switzerland (several 10s of CHF). I think hotels, food etc came to around £4. Most of the hotels were 3 star, but we did stay in a couple of 4 star and one chateau.
Best bits, apart from the trip itself - the roads. Autoroutes are fantastic, surfaces are usually as smooth as glass, drivers have good lane discipline and you can make good progress.
Worst bits - the roads. Road surface in some small towns and villages can be worse than those in the UK. The Peripherique deserves a special mention as well. The missus wasn't keen on the constant 'stares'. Even on the south coast where I would have thought a Maserati was a common sight.
Contrary to a lot of naysayers, the in-built SatNav performed faultlessly. Only hassle was the need to change discs when changing regions, but soon got used to that. Was much better and more accurate than the portable SatNav which we took as a backup.
Planning on going again soon to make use of the remaining time on the vignette.
Don't forget to pack LIGHT. Theft is rife on the south coast, so don't leave anything in the car!
Have a nice trip.
Parisien
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Nice overview Doodlebug, glad to see the Maserati perform faultlessly!
I think the "use up the remainder of the vignette" excuse might just be seen through...................
Yup, thieving is rife in France......just the way of the world. Although France is 4th/5th biggest market, you never see them on the road........hence the stares...ie you've got a neck on you driving around in a Socialist Republic in an aristocratic means of automotive transport.........
Good to hear all went to plan!
P
I think the "use up the remainder of the vignette" excuse might just be seen through...................
Yup, thieving is rife in France......just the way of the world. Although France is 4th/5th biggest market, you never see them on the road........hence the stares...ie you've got a neck on you driving around in a Socialist Republic in an aristocratic means of automotive transport......
...Good to hear all went to plan!
P
Parisien
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Dem, do they still do the motorail thingy.......could do part way, or out and/or in journey, save half the miles....?! Not cheap, but an option.
P
Parisien
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Or an option is to mail/forward a large box of clothes to your destination, mail them back before you leave.....especially if your staying in one place....just a thought, cos boot space is really cringeworthy!!!
P
Parisien
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Here ya go.............
http://www.railsavers.com/
The service used to run from Calais, but it appears now to go from Paris........
http://www.seat61.com/Motorail.htm
P
http://www.railsavers.com/
The service used to run from Calais, but it appears now to go from Paris........
http://www.seat61.com/Motorail.htm
P
Parisien
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Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.............................shucks.....................................
P
conaero
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Its not just me then, he never picks up when I call him. I recon he spends his days in lap dancing bars, and cant hear his phone due to some young girls booty grinding his pocket!!!!