[Somerset Jim]

Hi guys,

Have been looking at last minute holidays with the boss and mentioned taking the E93 down to the Alps as a backup and she liked the idea . So I was wondering if anyone here has driven down to lake Garda or to the Alps? We have decided that we shall take a couple of nights to get down there and I want to do the stelvio pass.

Does anyone know if there are any other passes that are within easy reach of Riva Del Garda?

Regarding our route; We are looking at heading primarily through France from Calais, stopping overnight at Severne and then St. Moritz before arriving at Riva Del Garda. We have a hotel booked for 6 nights at lake Garda and heading back up to Mollis for a night then straight back to the UK. Again any opinions on alternatives or places to see on our way would be great.

I'm taking the GoPro so hoping to get some good footage.

[mjn77]

I've done the full Route des Grand Alpes. From Lake Geneva to Menton on the Med coast.

Took me 2.5 days to do that route.

[Somerset Jim]

Originally Posted by mjn77

I've done the full Route des Grand Alpes. From Lake Geneva to Menton on the Med coast.

Took me 2.5 days to do that route.

That looks amazing. Think it would be one to do on another trip given that it would take us in the wrong direction.

I'm guessing not many people have an opinion on this...

[gangzoom]

We did the Swiss Alps last year, amazing experience.....

Stelvio is over rated, the Umbrailpass next to Stelvio is much quiter and fun to drive down/up.

Planning a similar trip again next year

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=Europe

[mjn77]

Originally Posted by Somerset Jim

That looks amazing. Think it would be one to do on another trip given that it would take us in the wrong direction.

I'm guessing not many people have an opinion on this...

Make a detour?

































Switzerland and Austria for me next year.

[gangzoom]

If your into driving Switerzland is somewhere you MUST go

[pinco000]

Originally Posted by gangzoom

If your into driving Switerzland is somewhere you MUST go

that road would suit a 335i rather then my 320D

[Somerset Jim]

Originally Posted by mjn77

Make a detour?



Switzerland and Austria for me next year.

Wow! Those photos are amazing. Is the one by the water a lake or the Mediterranean Sea?

I'm thinking that there may be a detour or two taken now

[Somerset Jim]

Originally Posted by gangzoom

If your into driving Switerzland is somewhere you MUST go

That looks amazing. I'm presuming this is the pass which was featured in on of the James Bond films.

I'm thinking we may have to alter the hotel bookings to incorporate this one!

[mjn77]

Originally Posted by Somerset Jim

Wow! Those photos are amazing. Is the one by the water a lake or the Mediterranean Sea?

I'm thinking that there may be a detour or two taken now

That is Menton, the Med.

[mjn77]

Originally Posted by Somerset Jim

That looks amazing. I'm presuming this is the pass which was featured in on of the James Bond films.

I'm thinking we may have to alter the hotel bookings to incorporate this one!

The Furka Pass. If you do go there, also take the cogwheel railway there, supposedly very impressive.

[gangzoom]

The Gelmer Funicular is 100% worth a visit, literally up in the clouds, and the top its a marvel of engineering!!





The lakes around Interlaken is also not bad....I've been lucky enough to visit some amazing places, short of the Taj Mahal - which is by far the most amazing man made structure I've seen, Switzerland stands out as one of the most amazing places in the world. The fact its so close the UK I'm just amazed people don't go there more often!!

[mjn77]

Can't wait until i'm there in June.

[mob17]

Love the photos. Makes me want to go again next year

[Aragorn30d]

We're just back from a Europe trip.

Did quite a few passes in switzerland, and i can assure you they're just as good in a 320d as a 335i.

We did Grimsel and Furka as pictured above, stopped in Chur then did Umbrail and Stelvio the next day before heading down into Italy.

TV etc gives you the impression your driving up these passes flat out racing thru the gears in a high end sports car, but in reality thats not how they go. They're too tight and twisty for that, but its still a great drive with great views etc, and we had a plenty good time in a 320d with 4 people and stacked to the roof with luggage.

[mjn77]

Yup, we've come across hairpins so tight, you're on full lock to get round.

Some roads are so narrow and twisty you just can't go fast. Plus rock falls and goats in the road, means you can't always have your foot down.

[335don]

U lot are pussies

[mjn77]

Originally Posted by 335don

U lot are pussies

What you on about?

[BigBanana]

We eventually did a road trip this year, mid July.
Only 6 days.
Fortunately did Dover – Dunkirk (ferry) and not Calais.
With all the probs in Calais, it would have ruined the trip.
Into Belgium. Overnight in Luxemburg.
Through the Black Forest in Germany, down the D500 from Baden-Baden to Bad.
That’s a good road.
On to Lucerne in Switzerland for a night.

Headed for Wassen out of Lucerne to drive the Furkah Pass which leads into the Grimsel Pass back round to Interlaken.

The James Bond Strasser is near the beginning of the Furkah Pass, coming from Wassen direction.





The Fukah Pass has a little gem called the Rhone Glacier at Belvedere.
Google it for more info.
You have to go through the little shop and pay a few euro to get a better view.
But once you do, follow the path down around to the right…. We didn’t see any signs here, we just stumbled upon it.
You can walk through a blue ice tunnel into the glacier.




If you like zip wires…









I think it's about half a mile long.
That was at a place called First.
Caught a train from Interlaken to Grindelwald, then cable car to First.

Switzerland really has spectacular views.
Will definately go again.

[mjn77]

Nice

[Somerset Jim]

Well we've made it down to lake Garda. On the second night in St. Moritz we had the first heavy snow since the last winter season. When we arrived it was all green and lush and when we woke up everything was under 3 inches of snow. This was then 6 inches after we quickly had our breakfast and were digging the car out! Due to this we had to give the Umbrial and Stelvio passes a miss. However we did find the Caprille pass which was quite special. See the video below for the end of the pass...

That evening we made it down to Garda for a couple of nights and since then we are now in a lovely apartment on the waterside in Riva Del Garda. Since being in Riva we also drove the Strada Della Forra which is worth a visit if you're down this way. Once in Pieve we then went to Paradise Hotel which has a platform jutting over the edge of the mountain so you can see the varous winding roads below - the roads you have just been along to get to the top.

I shall do a proper write up on the whole trip once we are back. The next stages are to do Stelvio and Umbrial passes on Tuesday and then on to Wassen for the night in preparation for susten, grimsel and furkah on Wednesday.

[mob17]

That second video. Amazing scenary