|
Post by artisans on Nov 10, 2015 18:18:59 GMT 2
I know that many people would like to drive to Corfu for all sorts of reasons. We have recently returned over a week or so … quicker than we would like, but taking a more direct route showed how easy it is, and how much there is to see along the way. This route took us through Milan, past Lake Como into Switzerland, across the north-east corner of France into Luxembourg, and then over to Brussels & Bruges before taking the ferry. Even this route could have been shortened if we had headed to Lille and missed out Belgium. Door to door, from Roda to Dunkerque – exactly 1000 miles, a distance that many of us cover back & too to work every week, and we still had time for sightseeing in Lucerne, Colmar and Bruges.
As Chairman Mao said, you just need to take the first step!
|
|
kaz
Roda Anorak
Posts: 3,961
|
Post by kaz on Nov 10, 2015 20:49:28 GMT 2
Beautiful places.....and didn't you do well.....
|
|
|
Post by daveyh on Nov 11, 2015 12:16:15 GMT 2
Nice photos; I'm planning to drive sometime next year, probably down to Brindisi so I can stop off for several nights in Italy along the way to take in the sights.
|
|
|
Post by artisans on Nov 17, 2015 11:44:55 GMT 2
Hang on! Where did she come from? It’s only 1,000 miles so why is she here? Can anyone guess?
|
|
|
Post by daveyh on Nov 17, 2015 13:53:35 GMT 2
Your route said you were going into NE France so my guess is the replica Statue of Liberty at the Bartholdi Museum in Colmar. Put there in 2004 being the 100th anniversary of Bartholdi's death. Bartholdi was the French designer of the Statue of Liberty.
|
|
kaz
Roda Anorak
Posts: 3,961
|
Post by kaz on Nov 17, 2015 19:13:12 GMT 2
Good answer daveyh.......
|
|
|
Post by artisans on Nov 20, 2015 11:51:27 GMT 2
Spot on Dave, it is in Colmar, but it’s on a roundabout as you head north for Metz. Colmar is certainly a place we want to visit again and is shown in the second of our three photos.There is still time to visit their Christmas markets.
Steve
|
|
|
Post by artisans on Nov 26, 2015 18:57:49 GMT 2
Switzerland lived up to its reputation for being expensive, but it is one of the shorter routes to & from the UK. When we travelled further south last year to avoid the country, we paid €57 just to drive through the Frejus Tunnel, taking us directly from Italy to France. Considering that the Swiss route through St Gottard is a shorter drive, and the €40 yearly ‘vignette’ covers the main tunnels and all the motorway charges, then maybe it’s not too bad. If you are driving to Corfu, it is certainly worth considering. One Roda property owner used to travel from Italy through Austria and way north into Germany, just to avoid tolls and other charges and I reckon he drove an additional 250 miles ‘to save money!’ On balance, that makes our route quite plausible. This is the 10.5 mile St Gottard Tunnel:
|
|
|
Post by artisans on Nov 30, 2015 18:51:35 GMT 2
Amongst the reasons for driving to Roda are the ‘interesting’ roads through Switzerland.
|
|
|
Post by daveyh on Dec 1, 2015 13:38:09 GMT 2
Great photos; also show the great scenery as you go through Switzerland
|
|
kaz
Roda Anorak
Posts: 3,961
|
Post by kaz on Dec 2, 2015 13:22:45 GMT 2
One word....WOW...........
|
|
|
Post by carolb on Dec 3, 2015 20:53:27 GMT 2
Wow the views alone are worth the drive Steve. Seriously considering driving over this summer
|
|
|
Post by artisans on Dec 4, 2015 14:40:27 GMT 2
You have to make the journey at least once, Carol, to know if it’s something you can plan for in the future. For anyone with health issues or a fear of flying, travelling by road is a great option, especially if you can allocate a few more days to your vacation. The rewards along the way are enormous and it all hinges on that first grasp of the nettle. I have said many times that road conditions in mainland Europe are significantly better than those in the UK. We travelled a thousand miles and had one short delay near to Brussels, but when we arrived across the channel, the delays were endless and the tempers frayed. Driving in Europe is almost a joy and bears no comparison to driving in Britain.
One of the best and most rewarding road networks is Luxembourg and the fuel is cheaper too! (Diesel there today costs about 70p per litre). A motorhomer this summer said of Luxembourg that “As soon as we crossed the western border, the roads became noticeably smoother and the entire landscape looked, well, neat!” We travelled that same route enjoying the spectacular autumn colours, and she is spot on …
|
|
|
Post by artisans on Dec 6, 2015 17:58:27 GMT 2
'Fifty Shades of Green!' - autumnal colours in Luxembourg.
|
|
|
Post by daveyh on Dec 7, 2015 10:13:30 GMT 2
When I was 15 I went on Youth Hostelling walking holiday around Luxembourg; those photos brought back some great memories. Walking through the woods there and the views were wonderful. And no litter!!!
|
|