Swiss alps 22nd - 27th October 2008 Actual
Southampton - Dartford - Calais – Belgium - Luxembourg - France – Germany – Austria – Liechtenstein - Switzerland - France - UK.
A shorter trip than planned, but a stunningly beautiful one, along with glorious weather, many mountain passes, stunning lake views, and glaciers. The 110 handled to all remarkably well, just as well, with further routes spotted and to be planned for 2009.
Great company, enjoyable meals and pleasantly surprised with how much distance came be comfortably driven in the 110, as opposed to the old Series, bless her.
1,820 miles
22nd Southampton – Dartford - Luxembourg
An early start to get to Dartford, pick up a Lady friend and set off for Dover, got to the 11:05 ferry just in time and sailed for Calais, great we’re on our way!
Both of us really wanted to see more of the Swiss Alps, with the first stop at Luxembourg, I hit the A26 toll road down through France, and came off at St Quentin and took the scenic D1029 and joined the N43 towards the pretty town of Charleville-Mezieres.
As time was getting on, we decided to head North in Belgium on the N58/N89 and join the A4 toll road into the centre of Luxembourg, the centre looked very pretty in the early evening darkness, we drove around for a while looking for a particular restaurant, which we were unable to find, so we headed of towards the campsite.
This campsite I went to on the LandyRally, so I knew it’s location, and also knew it was open until the end of October, we had a lovely meal and a glass of wine in the tennis centres (which is next to the campsite) restaurant, erected the tent after a few giggles and bedded down for the night.
23rd Luxembourg -Germany
Got up early, had a lovely hot shower, mug of tea and headed for the city, tanked-up on 99 cents a litre and back into France.
Joined the A31/A8 towards Metz and onto the A4 towards Saarbrucken and Strasbourg, and onto the A5 towards Freiburg, toll roads to make some initial time and to get to the area we wanted to explore.
From Freiburg, we took route 31 through Titisee and Gesingen, all these roads were very scenic and we drove through some pretty villages. We joined the A81 south for one junction and picked route 31 again towards Stockach, which was a beautiful village nestled at the north end of LakeBodensee, typically Germany, clean and tidy. We made our 2nd stop at the even prettier small town of Uberlingen; go there! Plenty of campsites around this region, but we chose a B&B, had a lovely meal, a glass of wine and turned in for the night.
24th Germany – Switzerland
Got up early, showered and a very nice breakfast, a 2nd mug of tea and set off towards Switzerland.
The weather had been kind all trip, and so is was today, had a very scenic and pleasant drive down along the lake on route 31 through; Meersburg, Friedrichshafen, all the way down to Lindau, through Bregenz before picking up the 190 to Dornbirn and Feldkirch. Then joined the 191 towards Liechtenstein, why? Because it’s there! Not much to see, apart from the castle, although it was scenic in places, joined route 28 down through Vaduz and left it, and Liechtenstein at Balzers, crossed into Switzerland and joined a narrow road heading for Landquart, now we are into glorious mountainous views.
We headed south on route 3-13 towards Chur and then onto route 13, towards Domat-Ems and Tamins, before joining route 19 to Films-Dorf and Disentis-Muster; this is what we had come to see, a stunningly beautiful valley road, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and 1,000s of trees in their Autumnal colours, simply beautiful. Many campsites/B&B’s along this road, we opted to stop in Sedrun, just before the Oberalppass. A typically beautiful mountainside Swiss village, the B&B (Via Gionda 16) was comfortable, well priced and the breakfast was ample.
TIPS; The information centres in Switzerland are very useful and the one in Sedrun, very helpful, also, Euros are widely accepted, though at various favourable exchange rates; which is fair enough.
25th Switzerland
Got up, showered and another good breakfast, and set off towards some of Switzerland’s’ mountain passes.
The 1st one was; Oberalppass, switchbacks and breathtaking views all the way, dropped
down into Andermatt, a surprisingly large place nestled in a valley, with some very old beautiful buildings, we stopped for a while before carrying on towards Furkapass. We went wrong here, both of us too busy looking at the stunning scenery, missed the turning and were headed towards St Gotthardpass and Italy, got a few miles down the road came across a pretty lake and a sign for Italy, and thought arh. Wrong?!
So we headed back, picked up the correct road (which was very well signed, we just didn’t see it) to Furkapass, and more switchbacks, up to the pass itself, long with a cafe, there was also a bazaar, which we entered and wondered around, only to find we could pay 5Euros to visit a Glacier Grotto, not quite knowing what to expect, we headed down to the glacier, and found you could actually walk inside the glacier, never have been inside one before; just out of this world. Very pleased with ourselves, we headed back to the cafe and slurped our drinks in the warm sunshine.
After a while, we set off out of our way a bit, just to see Grimselpass, another steep climb, but this time at the top, a large beautiful lake, I just love this whole area; I will be back!
We set off again back down to join the route 19 towards Brig, again this whole road in a beautiful valley, surrounded by mountains, we passed through many scenic small villages, and some campsites before getting to Brig, where we tried to find an information centre, but couldn’t, so we headed west along to Gampel, this is what I wanted to see and have read about; the Grosser Aletschgletscher.
We climbed from Gampel, through Goppenstein, Kippel, Blatten and finally into Fafleralp, were there is a campsite, were luck would have it, shuts tomorrow. (Normally opens late April/early May through to end of October). A hotel is very nearby, which serves very good, but expensive food.
The views were just incredible, we were 1,650m above sea level, and at night time, just couldn’t believe the number of stars we were able to see, amazing!
26th Switzerland – France
Got up, frost everywhere, showered and found my companion complaining bitterly about the cold, she hadn't been camping before, let alone in Winter, so it must of been a shock. So packed-up, paid for the camping and headed down to the main road (another region I will return to).
The idea was to climb the mountain roads towards the Matterhorn, but my companion was still cold, and not enjoying herself; so headed towards Sion on the route 9, towards Martigny and then onto Montreux, Lausanne, which had a marathon on, so we were diverted all over the place, and eventually ended up on route 1 towards Morges/Nyon.
I’ve done this route before, not particularly pretty, but Nyon is pleasant enough, though it was packed on this day, couldn’t find a parking space anywhere, so we hopped on the N5 towards St Cergue, where we stopped, couldn’t find a cafe open, so we got some, bread and cheese and headed towards France and Les Rousses. We stayed on the N5 towards Champagnole, Dole before picking up the A39 Dijon toll road, and then headed north on the A31 before heading west on the A5 towards Troyes, as it was getting late and I was getting tried, we looked for a place to stay and spotted an hotel just off the A5 toll road, near J22/23.
Got a room, expensive, basic, breakfast extra; but clean and with a hot shower.
27th France - UK
Got up, had a lovely hot shower, and headed off into the rain, picked up the A5 toll road again, before heading north on the A26 towards Reims/St Quentin/Cambrai/Arras/St Omer and Calais.
Through passport control, changed our sailing at the Seafrance check-in, and were able to get on the 14:05 sailing, got Dover, headed down the A2/M2 to Dartford, said our goodbyes and hopped onto the M25/A3M/A31 back to Southampton.
Got home safely, the 110 performed very well, she is in for a service soon. But I can start planning now for a return trip.
Southampton - Dartford - Calais – Belgium - Luxembourg - France – Germany – Austria – Liechtenstein - Switzerland - France - UK.
A shorter trip than planned, but a stunningly beautiful one, along with glorious weather, many mountain passes, stunning lake views, and glaciers. The 110 handled to all remarkably well, just as well, with further routes spotted and to be planned for 2009.
Great company, enjoyable meals and pleasantly surprised with how much distance came be comfortably driven in the 110, as opposed to the old Series, bless her.
1,820 miles
22nd Southampton – Dartford - Luxembourg
An early start to get to Dartford, pick up a Lady friend and set off for Dover, got to the 11:05 ferry just in time and sailed for Calais, great we’re on our way!
Both of us really wanted to see more of the Swiss Alps, with the first stop at Luxembourg, I hit the A26 toll road down through France, and came off at St Quentin and took the scenic D1029 and joined the N43 towards the pretty town of Charleville-Mezieres.
As time was getting on, we decided to head North in Belgium on the N58/N89 and join the A4 toll road into the centre of Luxembourg, the centre looked very pretty in the early evening darkness, we drove around for a while looking for a particular restaurant, which we were unable to find, so we headed of towards the campsite.
This campsite I went to on the LandyRally, so I knew it’s location, and also knew it was open until the end of October, we had a lovely meal and a glass of wine in the tennis centres (which is next to the campsite) restaurant, erected the tent after a few giggles and bedded down for the night.
23rd Luxembourg -Germany
Got up early, had a lovely hot shower, mug of tea and headed for the city, tanked-up on 99 cents a litre and back into France.
Joined the A31/A8 towards Metz and onto the A4 towards Saarbrucken and Strasbourg, and onto the A5 towards Freiburg, toll roads to make some initial time and to get to the area we wanted to explore.
From Freiburg, we took route 31 through Titisee and Gesingen, all these roads were very scenic and we drove through some pretty villages. We joined the A81 south for one junction and picked route 31 again towards Stockach, which was a beautiful village nestled at the north end of LakeBodensee, typically Germany, clean and tidy. We made our 2nd stop at the even prettier small town of Uberlingen; go there! Plenty of campsites around this region, but we chose a B&B, had a lovely meal, a glass of wine and turned in for the night.
24th Germany – Switzerland
Got up early, showered and a very nice breakfast, a 2nd mug of tea and set off towards Switzerland.
The weather had been kind all trip, and so is was today, had a very scenic and pleasant drive down along the lake on route 31 through; Meersburg, Friedrichshafen, all the way down to Lindau, through Bregenz before picking up the 190 to Dornbirn and Feldkirch. Then joined the 191 towards Liechtenstein, why? Because it’s there! Not much to see, apart from the castle, although it was scenic in places, joined route 28 down through Vaduz and left it, and Liechtenstein at Balzers, crossed into Switzerland and joined a narrow road heading for Landquart, now we are into glorious mountainous views.
We headed south on route 3-13 towards Chur and then onto route 13, towards Domat-Ems and Tamins, before joining route 19 to Films-Dorf and Disentis-Muster; this is what we had come to see, a stunningly beautiful valley road, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and 1,000s of trees in their Autumnal colours, simply beautiful. Many campsites/B&B’s along this road, we opted to stop in Sedrun, just before the Oberalppass. A typically beautiful mountainside Swiss village, the B&B (Via Gionda 16) was comfortable, well priced and the breakfast was ample.
TIPS; The information centres in Switzerland are very useful and the one in Sedrun, very helpful, also, Euros are widely accepted, though at various favourable exchange rates; which is fair enough.
25th Switzerland
Got up, showered and another good breakfast, and set off towards some of Switzerland’s’ mountain passes.
The 1st one was; Oberalppass, switchbacks and breathtaking views all the way, dropped
down into Andermatt, a surprisingly large place nestled in a valley, with some very old beautiful buildings, we stopped for a while before carrying on towards Furkapass. We went wrong here, both of us too busy looking at the stunning scenery, missed the turning and were headed towards St Gotthardpass and Italy, got a few miles down the road came across a pretty lake and a sign for Italy, and thought arh. Wrong?!
So we headed back, picked up the correct road (which was very well signed, we just didn’t see it) to Furkapass, and more switchbacks, up to the pass itself, long with a cafe, there was also a bazaar, which we entered and wondered around, only to find we could pay 5Euros to visit a Glacier Grotto, not quite knowing what to expect, we headed down to the glacier, and found you could actually walk inside the glacier, never have been inside one before; just out of this world. Very pleased with ourselves, we headed back to the cafe and slurped our drinks in the warm sunshine.
After a while, we set off out of our way a bit, just to see Grimselpass, another steep climb, but this time at the top, a large beautiful lake, I just love this whole area; I will be back!
We set off again back down to join the route 19 towards Brig, again this whole road in a beautiful valley, surrounded by mountains, we passed through many scenic small villages, and some campsites before getting to Brig, where we tried to find an information centre, but couldn’t, so we headed west along to Gampel, this is what I wanted to see and have read about; the Grosser Aletschgletscher.
We climbed from Gampel, through Goppenstein, Kippel, Blatten and finally into Fafleralp, were there is a campsite, were luck would have it, shuts tomorrow. (Normally opens late April/early May through to end of October). A hotel is very nearby, which serves very good, but expensive food.
The views were just incredible, we were 1,650m above sea level, and at night time, just couldn’t believe the number of stars we were able to see, amazing!
26th Switzerland – France
Got up, frost everywhere, showered and found my companion complaining bitterly about the cold, she hadn't been camping before, let alone in Winter, so it must of been a shock. So packed-up, paid for the camping and headed down to the main road (another region I will return to).
The idea was to climb the mountain roads towards the Matterhorn, but my companion was still cold, and not enjoying herself; so headed towards Sion on the route 9, towards Martigny and then onto Montreux, Lausanne, which had a marathon on, so we were diverted all over the place, and eventually ended up on route 1 towards Morges/Nyon.
I’ve done this route before, not particularly pretty, but Nyon is pleasant enough, though it was packed on this day, couldn’t find a parking space anywhere, so we hopped on the N5 towards St Cergue, where we stopped, couldn’t find a cafe open, so we got some, bread and cheese and headed towards France and Les Rousses. We stayed on the N5 towards Champagnole, Dole before picking up the A39 Dijon toll road, and then headed north on the A31 before heading west on the A5 towards Troyes, as it was getting late and I was getting tried, we looked for a place to stay and spotted an hotel just off the A5 toll road, near J22/23.
Got a room, expensive, basic, breakfast extra; but clean and with a hot shower.
27th France - UK
Got up, had a lovely hot shower, and headed off into the rain, picked up the A5 toll road again, before heading north on the A26 towards Reims/St Quentin/Cambrai/Arras/St Omer and Calais.
Through passport control, changed our sailing at the Seafrance check-in, and were able to get on the 14:05 sailing, got Dover, headed down the A2/M2 to Dartford, said our goodbyes and hopped onto the M25/A3M/A31 back to Southampton.
Got home safely, the 110 performed very well, she is in for a service soon. But I can start planning now for a return trip.