Calais to Offenburg | We take advantage of the efficient French autoroutes to get us as close to the action as possible on the first day. It’s an opportunity to use the supplied walkie talkies to chat and banter with your fellow tourists and get to know the other cars traveling along with you. There’s a Shell petrol station directly opposite the hotel so you can brim your car ready for the fun on Day 2.
Offenburg to Stelvio | After a good nights sleep and a hearty German breakfast we head into the Black Forest sampling the roads Ducati use as their testing grounds. Then we head south into Switzerland passing Winterthur and Liechtenstein, through Davos and over the Fluelapass into Austria, before ascending the (in)famous Stelvio Pass, the third highest paved mountain pass in Europe at 2757m – at the top of which we will find our hotel for the night.
Stelvio to Furka | Day 2 will have left you with a smile on your face, Day 3 will be a grin you can’t get rid of. Our first “passes day”, leaving Stelvio via Umbrail, then taking in Lake Livigno and St Moritz on the way to Julier Pass, followed by San Bernardino, Susten, Grimsel, finally arriving at our hotel at the foot of the Furka pass.
Furka to Val D’Isere | Another “passes day”, beginning with Furka, St Gotthard, and Nufenen before heading down the valley past Sion and then up over Grand St Bernard into Italy, and the Petit St Bernard into France and on to Val D’Isere and our traditional ski lodge hotel.
Val D’Isere to Col De Turini | We promised fun roads on this trip and Day 5 proves that beyond all doubt. Heading away from Val D’Isere we begin the day climbing the second highest paved pass in the Alps, the Col D L’iseran (2,770), using the magnificent Col Du Galibier (2,645m) as a stepping stone to the Col De La Bonette (2,802m) which is the highest paved pass in the Alps and one of the major challenges in the Tour de France. We round off the day with the Col De Turini (1607m), Our hotel for the night sits on the summit of this challenging classic road steeped in the history of the Monte Carlo Rally.
Col de Turini to Annecy | We leave the Alps behind so that’s the end of the fun, right? Not a bit of it. Day 6 is all about the Route Napoleon. A mixture of long fast sweeping bends and tight twisty sections and views that will make you gasp. A truly amazing piece of tarmac. We end the day at Annecy known as the Venice of France, a beautiful town with stunning views across it’s lake to the mountains beyond.
Annecy to Dijon | A short dash to Geneva from Annecy, and then a quick trip up the mountain (watch out for bikes – this is a biker paradise) and over the top, dropping down to Auxonne and on to Dijon.
Dijon to Calais | The last day of the tour, but we have saved something special for you. A trip to the old Grand Prix circuit at Reims. For so long this historic circuit and it’s outbuildings was in ruins. Now however, they are being brought back to life. We have time to stop for a photo opportunity and a quick blast down the old straight to get a sense of what it was like all those years ago. Finally we head to Calais and a sad farewell to your fellow tourists and new found friends.