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Oct 16, 2008 10:41:15 GMT
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Hi guys, I'm planning a roadtrip/family holiday for probably next year now going from Birmingham through Fance, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and onto Brno in the Czech Republic to see a good friend of mine and Mrs MiniDans who's putting us up there, but on the way were going to be stopping off for a little bit to take in sites on the way and stopping at Nürburgring to and have a drive round in either the Clubman or the soon to be ariving 'new' ride which will be going on the back of the trailer. Anyway... the reason of this thread is to ask advice about planning a road trip as I know a lot of you on here have done them. I've made up a map and I've had a look at ticket prices for the Euro Tunnel, but I know there is a lot more to do than that. Also, what car would be ideal for pulling a trailer, all the bagage and generally being a big ol' family barge to get us there and back with no problems. I have a feeling the Saab although being man enough for the task* will probably fail on the way so was looking at getting something to get us there and back. * If its ever working again Any advice/comments/etc. greatly appreciated Oh, and while in the Czech Republic, I will be bringing back some goodies for previously mentioned 'new' car. So it would be rude not to offer to bring items back for others
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Oct 16, 2008 11:02:30 GMT
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Germany is very big, and dark at night, but even in the day there isnt anything to look at as there loads of trees down both sides of the autobahns, so do the long bit at night and save the daytime for places theres more to see.
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Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
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Oct 16, 2008 18:21:19 GMT
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take spares (incl bulbs), tools, a map of europe, hi vis jacket, warning triangle & a first aid kit. Fill up the motor, and off ya go!
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take spares (incl bulbs), tools, a map of europe, hi vis jacket, warning triangle & a first aid kit. Fill up the motor, and off ya go! The Tunnel do a very cheap midnight special, last time I came over with a trailer I only paid 70 Quid return for the car and trailer, otherwise the ferries are normally a lot cheaper. If you want to do a proper roadtrip then avoid the Motorways, if all you want to do is get there quickly then fine but you won´t see anything interesting. Nürnberg and Prag are both definately worth a visit and if you´ve got time you could also stop by the Merc and BMW factory museums in Stuttgart and Münich. If you´re not in a hurry and are driving on the motorways plan a speed of 90kmh, it´s the speed the lorries go at and it´s a lot more relaxing just following the crowd than if you try to go a bit faster, remember most of the motorways are only two lanes over here. ...but apart from that get European AA recovery, fill up and go.
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Last Edit: Oct 17, 2008 5:41:26 GMT by Oldbus
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mrj
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,662
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yeah, and when you are coming to the south (Stuttgart) i can give you a cup of Asdas best breakfast tea :-) East germany is also worth a visit, food is very cheap there and there are some nice cities to look at... i can also recommend you a small hotel at the Ring with a scottish cook, very good food and fantastic bar
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- 1971 VW 1600 TL Fastback - 1978 Passat GLS Variant - 1980 Audi 100 5E - 1981 VW aircooled panel van (sold) - 1983 VW Jetta Mk.I - 1984 VW Polo Coupé - 1984 VW Passat hatchback - 1987 VW Passat Variant - 1987 VW Passat hatchback - 1988 VW T25
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Carter
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,535
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take spares (incl bulbs), tools, a map of europe, hi vis jacket, warning triangle & a first aid kit. Fill up the motor, and off ya go! I think its the law now to carry most of those things, in France at least.
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'77 Chevy G20
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hi viz jacket and warning triangle are a legal requirement in France. The jacket MUST be carried in the cabin, not the boot, so you can put it on before getting out the car. This has only been enforceable since the beginning of the month so the Police are having a big drive doing spot checks. Failure to have these is an on-the-spot fine of around 130€.
France is also subject to a masive speeding crackdown these days. Gone are the days of high-speed blasts up the autoroute to catch the ferry back....This was such a problem that they now have UK police officers stationed in France targetting brit speeders to and from the ports. Numbers of speed cameras and speed traps ave multiplied massively all over france. If caught, you get an on-the-spot fine. If you have no money, you are taken to a cash machine to get money. If you still cant pay, you will have your car impounded till the fine is paid.
Euro breakdown cover is a must really. Breaking down on an autoroute means you must use the approved contractor to be towed. This will set you back at least 150€. AA and RAC both do single-trip cover for reasonable money.
As said above - use the autoroutes to get somewhere quickly, but stay off them for sight-seeing.
For the sea crossing, I like speedferries.com - good prices, a dedicated terminal in Dover so you avoid the eastern docks fiasco, and they dock in boulougne, which is a nicer town than the smeg-hole of Calais.
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1986 Panda 4x4. 1990 Metro Sport. 1999 Ford Escort estate.
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peel
Part of things
Posts: 126
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Oct 17, 2008 10:50:38 GMT
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I did a road trip to Budapest in a Mini a few years back and picked up one good tip: check in advance which countries require you to buy a motorway permit/toll. It's a windscreen sticker and you can get them at service stations. I got pulled by the Austrian plod and fined a Euro-ton for not having one, which was the only blight on a fantastic run. Enjoy!
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miaspa
Part of things
Posts: 829
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Oct 17, 2008 12:56:40 GMT
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A fire extinguishers is required in some European countries aswell, take some emergency cash as well. Had my bank card swallowed somewhere in the Swiss Alps, but still able to get home, as I had 500 euro's hidden under the rear seat.
Doing long distances in France on the toll roads gets expensive, programme your sat nav to avoid them if your using one.
Don't overplan your route and pre book hotels, as you then tend to try and rush around meeting deadlines, more fun taking a laid approach getting lost and finding unusual places. More difficult with a family but never had any issues finding a room for a night.
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Found my flashing Pao again.
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Oct 17, 2008 13:48:14 GMT
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I've made up a map and I've had a look at ticket prices for the Euro Tunnel, but I know there is a lot more to do than that. Um, we didn't do much more than that before setting out on the H van road trip last year! Carried a few spares and European Breakdown cover contact details (included in my insurance package) and that really was about it! Local tourist offices can be very useful, so do keep an eye out for them.
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1986 Citroen 2CV Dolly Other things. Check out my Blog for the latest! www.hubnut.org
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European breakdown cover, essentials for legality in the countries you will be visiting, then stop planning and just go. Its always worked for me.
Russell
PS, look out for Ausfhart in Germany, its huge, all the motorway exits seem to take you there.
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Oct 18, 2008 14:42:26 GMT
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hi viz jacket and warning triangle are a legal requirement in France. The jacket MUST be carried in the cabin, not the boot, so you can put it on before getting out the car. This has only been enforceable since the beginning of the month so the Police are having a big drive doing spot checks. Failure to have these is an on-the-spot fine of around 130€. I was gonna post that up too, my work were on about this a while back - apparently they take no prisoners for this one. dunno if anyone else has said it yet but make sure and bring a camera for those all important retro shots! and enjoy yourself!
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Club Retro Rides Member
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Oct 18, 2008 15:52:23 GMT
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PS, look out for Ausfhart in Germany, its huge, all the motorway exits seem to take you there. ;D ;D ;D I'd put in another vote for speedferries as well, about an hour from driving in to driving out. And MUCH cheaper than the chunnel. A European satnav makes a huge difference, saves a lot of arguing and can be used to find hotels, fuel etc etc. Also means you can go driving down random intersting roads and then let the snav find your way back to civilisation.
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Oct 18, 2008 17:13:30 GMT
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Skoda bits... woop woop!
I would love a set of fully adjustable suspension for the estelle, But i am sure it would be well outside my price range!
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Oct 18, 2008 17:22:43 GMT
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All the equipment needed to do 1000 miles in 12 hours.
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Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
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Oct 18, 2008 18:46:46 GMT
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European breakdown cover, essentials for legality in the countries you will be visiting, then stop planning and just go. Its always worked for me. Russell PS, look out for Ausfhart in Germany, its huge, all the motorway exits seem to take you there. Amazing! I thought that too! Don't bother with the tunnel unless you get a super cheap deal, you don't save much timewise. Try Seafrance. As for the vignette, I have never been to Austria so can't comment, but have never paid to use any other roads (apart from tolls). Trying to plan a route to avoid the toll roads to keep costs down is a false economy with fuel the price it is now. By all means do it to see the countryside though. As for breakdown cover, if you can get to Germany take out ADAC cover there, it's about 80 Euros and the ADAC is excellent. if your car is RHD and manual, take a clutch cable with you.
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Oct 18, 2008 19:20:02 GMT
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In Austria and Switzerland you have to pay to use the motorways.
The sticker (vignette) you buy has to be stuck to the windscreen but if you don´t buy one and get caught without it´s a very expensive on the spot fine.
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Oct 19, 2008 17:40:14 GMT
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.... Trying to plan a route to avoid the toll roads to keep costs down is a false economy with fuel the price it is now. By all means do it to see the countryside though. not necesseraly. I just did a 1700 km round trip friday/saturday up and down france. We were on a budget so kept off the toll roads. Most of the alternative roads are motorways anyway or at least long fast open a-road type things, which run pretty much parallell to the autoroutes. We saved 140€ in tolls, and didnt spend a significant amount more on pterol than we would have used on the toll roads. It was about 1.5 hours each direction slower, which over a 9 hour journey, isnt too bad at all.
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1986 Panda 4x4. 1990 Metro Sport. 1999 Ford Escort estate.
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