Crossing the Continent
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montravia
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Fill up, turn key, point and press right foot pedal.
Seriously, as long as you have breakdown cover, which you won't use, just reconnoiter your preferred route, and ask here for recommendations where to overnights.
I had excellent recommendations en route to Antibes and different route back.
Finding hotels with gated parking is a good idea.
Seriously, as long as you have breakdown cover, which you won't use, just reconnoiter your preferred route, and ask here for recommendations where to overnights.
I had excellent recommendations en route to Antibes and different route back.
Finding hotels with gated parking is a good idea.
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daverichardson
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If you don't go
You will never know
Send us pictures please
You will never know
Send us pictures please
c4sman
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Just drove down to the south of France in my GT. Few “high speed” instances on the autoroute and got stuck in heavy traffic for a few hours in 40C temperatures. Car hasn’t missed a beat and temp gauge barely moved. Check your fluids and pressures and get it done, they take chunks out of Europe effortlessly.
am in Antibes as a type!
am in Antibes as a type!
safrane
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No different to any modern car TBF.
- AA or equivalent
- Tyre repair or spare (you may struggle to find matching tyres at short notice, so be prepared for a wait or get something similar if you get a flat)
- Don't get carried away with MPH as some countries will impound the car
- Try via michelin to plan your route, they are more up-to-date with seasonal road closure.
- Remember it's a big car and most old hotels carparks and entrance can be tight and be aware most charge c€25.00 per night for the car to be parked or double that in place like Monaco... it soon adds up
- Don't drive for too long per day or your passengers may not enjoy the trip and you may not be able to repeat it.
- Get a fob for the toll roads via https://www.emovis-tag.co.uk/subscr...MI6YOMpajJ-QIVdGHmCh0vHAMFEAAYASAAEgI3IPD_BwE
- watch out for Ethanol content at the pumps
- If going via the chunnel, book your car as if it has a roof box so you can use the coach carriage... saves you knackering the alloys.
- France still closes for a very long lunch so plan your fueling if in the sticks...no fun waiting for 3 hours when you are on fumes (I know).
- Some mountain routes are closed very early in the autumn for snow and ice.
- Enjoy
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Guy
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Great list Peter. I would add that, providing you have the time, you buy a proper Michelin tourist Road Atlas and choose the white and yellow roads, which are usually in great condition, light on traffic, and so much more fun. You will likely average 40/45 mph but it is worth it. They are generally not policed or littered with speed cameras like the RN roads. We tend to use these together with strategic use of the Autoroutes to balance time and distance. NB the point about fuel, petrol stations are few and far between so fill up whenever you can. Earlier this summer we went in two V12s and it was quite concerning.... more so for my friend in his FF, which has a small tank (90l?) and even thirstier than my 612.
montravia
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c4sman
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Just FYI. I’ve been across on the tunnel twice in the last 12 months and their booking system automatically puts the GT on the “large vehicle” carriages based on the number plate so no risk of kerbing a wheel or steep ramps!
Will do
Beautiful, love Antibes - we'll be up and left a bit in Bergerac. Yep, done tyres, coolant, windscreen and oil. All good.
Really helpful, thank you. Too late to book the coach carriage annoyingly, but they have said they know the car 'has low clearance and is wide' and have made some kind of accommodation. The Emovis thing is brilliant. Cheers.
Ah, yes, that must have been what they meant when they observed the car clearance and width. Nice to know they actually give a sh17
c4sman
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Emovis tag is genius. Had one for 10 years or so and always brings me joy to cruise through tolls at 30km/h
Hurricane52
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We had one for France and Italy these last couple of weeks - first time we used it there’s a heart in mouth moment, but when the barrier goes up, it’s time for the Sport button.
We nicked the Mortimer and Whitehouse go fishing tag line “… and away…”
Have a great trip.
Gazcw
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If you book tunnel it automatically picks up the car is low and wide and you will be put in the high carriage anyway.
midlifecrisis
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Got back from Berlin 4 weeks ago, all I did was check tyres, fluids and had enough wine gums. These cars are solid. Your car with thank you for properly using it.
RoaryRati
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My 02 spyder loved his 3000 miles in June - the twistier the better. The only time he threw a wobbly was stalling in a traffic jam in the heat around Garda so we gave up and turned round but once we returned to Blighty he had a window tantrum! We found the difference in white and yellow roads (which we mainly did) quality varied from country to country (and even the motorway in Belgium was poor - worse than the UK if that is possible, but I think they were repairing it). Have fun.
zagatoes30
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Belgium motorways have always been terrible