Hi Folks. Inspired by stories of Lasty's past trips through Europe over campfires at Techenders in Lutterworth, we have finally plucked up the courage to set off on our 90-day European tour to Greece and back. I've planned a decent (meandering) route down through the Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, bit of Slovakia, Hungary, bit of Romania, bit of Serbia, Bulgaria, through to Greece and I'm looking to come back via Albania, ferry to Italy, then Switzerland, possibly Lichtenstein, France, Luxembourg & Belgium, phew!! (I have shortcuts worked out just in case). However, the bit that really worries me is coming through the Alps in a '73 Bay with a Type 1 /1600 engine. Can anyone recommend the easiest/flattest route please that will save me getting battered by a line of irate motorists! The options I'm considering at the minute are as follows (cost obviously a factor but, easier over cost will win for me): 1) Heading north from the Italian Lakes through the San Bernadino Pass/Tunnel through to Chur and on to Vaduz 2) The Gothard tunnel from Como to Montreux (& miss out Lichtenstien) 3) The Simplon car transporter from Como to Montreux 4) The Saint Bernard tunnel from Aosta to Montreux Any advice appreciated, so thanks in advance (I've searched the forums but can't find anything definitive) ;-)
I took the bus over the Petit Saint Bernard pass last September, it's long but not steep. 2188m at the top.
regards route 4 - over the top for the win! Been a very long time since I've done it and the roads on the Italian side were pretty awful! guess that would add some time to the journey though!
Ah Ok thanks #77 Westy, that's another option then if I go a bit further west and go down through the Aosta Valley, over this pass and then north from Moutiers & it gives me a bit more confidence that the lower passes are actually doable
The Frejus tunnel from Frejus to Bardonecchia, flat, 30min long tunnel, about 50euro. I've driven my 1600 1976 around here (Italian Alps) for years, no problem, ofcourse parts are down to 2nd gear but hey... Great scenery through and over the Alps, very windy though. Don't worry too much about mountains. Worry more about Italian drivers they are bad and some very mad.
Ahh, hadn't looked at that one either but looks a decent route if I come further west in Italy to Bardonecchia, through this tunnel and up to Geneva. Thanks Day, will be carful of the Italian drivers
And about 30km north of Moûtiers, there is a free motorhome area on the outskirts of Albertville, five minutes walk to restaurants in the old quarter. https://www.campercontact.com/en/france/auvergne-rhone-alpes/albertville/9305/aire-municipale All of the passes are doable and unless you're in a hurry I don't see the point in taking tunnels; it's noisy, they stink of diesel, you cant see anything and they are expensive. Over the passes the scenery is stunning.
If it should be a fast way thru the south I take the "Autostrada del Brennero" with stop at the Lake Garda for an ice cream and coffee. Otherwise there are also fantastic gravel road adventures thru the Alps.... and there is a fleet of German bay window hard core enthusiast that take all these gravel roads to alps (Germany/Austria/Switzerland/France/Slovenia/...) every autumn (called: golden October tour) for one week - and some also with smaller engines as your 1600 ccm. So don't worry... The Alps were not the highest passes I drove with my T2...
I used to go over the top a few times but in the end after the experience used the tunnels. My preference was the Frejus as it took me further south and passed the Autoroute Blanche etc. It's a very scenic drive, perched vineyards and snow covered peaks!
Oh wow!!! that does look awesome. A bit hardcore for me on those gravel tracks, at least for my first time through the Alps but gives me more confidence that I'm trying to do too much. Thanks guys!!
Just checked out the Autostrada del Brennero and that would be a good option to get through to Innsbruck and then over to Vaduz if we are running short on time so thanks #rsbadura. Looking at your photos tho', although I'm not quite ready for the gravel tracks, it does make me wonder if I'd be missing an experience by not going at least over one of the easier passes. Ho hum, decisions, decisions
I can remember a school skiing trip to Oberwald in Switzerland during the mid sixties when we had to get down the valley because my ankle was suspect and it was obvious someone else had a bust femur. Hotel transport was a vw splittie. Don't think it was a Samba but it had a good heating system. Probably eberspracter! Was an early 1500 I think. We had chains fitted as the snow was banked up each side. It had a spiffing blaupunkt radio that he was forever twiddling with. Just sharing enjoy your buses.
We did Geneva round the lake to Montreux then the place with the bottled water, up to Morzine, Les Gets, Annecy, Chamonix , over the Col de Forclaz to Martingy and back. The alpine passes are so much nicer than the tunnels and nothing to be afraid of!
We’ve been down as far as patras in Greece then ferry back to Ancona , Italy . Up past lake Garda , and over the alps into swizterland, past Chur and so on .we done that in our old 1600 73 bus as few years ago . It’s really slow going , 1st and 2 nd gears for what seems like miles , hair pin after hair pin so ya arms get a good work out . Gorgeous scenery and if ya not in a hurry it’s great , but if you it flattish , don’t go that way .I would consider coming back through Croatia, slovenia , Austria , Germany. We’ve done it several times in our bay and find it a lot easier. Croatia is a fab country to visit . Whatever route you take , you’ll love it . It’s all doable
Not worked out the details yet but we are driving to Switzerland at the end of July. I've booked a ferry going out and a campsite in Bern ,it's right in the city on the river bank,you can swim from the site into other parts of the city
I did the first one. And still have the van! Mind you we got nicked for speeding in the Mont Blanc Tunnel!
Thanks for everyone's help, you've all been brilliant and made me much less windy about tackling the Alps. Feeling a bit of a wuss now actually LOL. I'll finish my route planning and keep a few of these options in my back pocket for use depending on which route we end up coming back. Keep em coming. Will try to keep you posted on our travels and definitely when we reach the Alps. Ferry out is booked for a couple of weeks time. Thanks again folks
