Portsmouth to Bilbao | Meeting at the ferry terminal we get an opportunity to relax and cruise down to Spain whilst getting to know each other and enjoying the excellent on board facilities.
Bilbao to Jaca | Drive off the boat we regroup in the car park and then head off into northern Spain, where we head into the Pyrenean foothills for our overnight stop in the vicinity of the charming old Spanish town of Jaca. A late dinner awaits, as is usual in Spain. This is a perfect prelude for the fun to come.
Jaca to Carcasonne | After the first of our daily drivers briefings, there’s a spirited start to the day with a drive up and over the picturesque and largely deserted Pyrenees, crossing two Pyrenean national parks on our way to the stunning medieval city of Carcassonne. Our hotel (with swimming pool) is just 100 yards from the walled city and there’ll be plenty of time to explore it before we have dinner in a private dining room at our hotel.
Carcasonne to Carpentras | Another fun filled day of driving through the challenging and picturesque French back roads with the added bonus of a trip to the stunning Millau Bridge, the Norman Foster designed jewel in the crown of French road building.
Carpentras to Val D’Isere | An early start for a dawn raid on one of our favourite drivers roads, Mont Ventoux is a special stage of the Tour De France. A sinuous piece of tarmac with razor sharp hairpins and short hard straights leading up to a summit with a simply breathtaking view. We may even have time to do the ascent more than once and believe us when we tell you, it is well worthwhile. After breakfast we head across the national park to the Col Du Galibier (2645m) before ascending the second highest paved mountain road in Europe, the Col De L’Iseran (2770m) and then descending into the ski resort of Val D’Isere for our overnight stay.
Val D’Isere to Furka | The passes and countries come thick and fast for the next few days. We leave Val D’Isere and head out of France and into Italy briefly courtesy of the Petit St Bernard then use the Grand St Bernard to take us to Switzerland. That might be enough fun for some but we’re here to make the most of our time here so we head across the valley, past Sion and round of the day with a fantastic trio of passes, Nufenen, St Gotthard and finally the Furka pass where we give our cars a well earned rest.
Furka to Stelvio | As if day 6 wasn’t enough, we raise the bar yet again with Grimsel warming up the cars before we continue in earnest dispatching Susten, San Bernadino and the Julier pass. We pause for breath as we pass by St Moritz and admiring the beautiful Lake Livigno before taking on the Umbrail pass and ending the day with Stelvio. You’ll have plenty of time to make the most of the view, we’re staying right at the top.
Stelvio to Offenburg | Leaving Stelvio we take the route that Top Gear described as the best driving road in the world, Stelvio is one part of it, but in reality it’s the Fluelapass toward Davos that got their attention and we’ll show you why. With that we head North and exit Switzerland but that’s not the end of the fun, far from it. It’s time to hit the Black Forest and a different style of fun roads, long sweeping bends, smooth straights which will keep that smile firmly on your face. Finally we draw into Offenburg and our final hotel.
Offenberg to Calais | The last day of the trip and the homeward leg, but we’ve saved a bit of fun for the last day. 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.