Long distance machine

[Dan]

Well, I've recently returned from a holiday in Switzerland. Rather than facing the inevitable holiday time queues and delays with flying we decided to drive.

With the kids in the back happily watching DVD after DVD, we wafted down to Eurotunnel, on through France, into Switzerland, past Lake Geneva, and up into the mountains.

The car behaved faultlessly throughout. I did the return journey in one hit. Including food and 1 fuel stop, in the car for about 13 hours straight, and got out fresh as a daisy. Just incredible, and an altogether more relaxing and civilised alternative to flying.

[mattylondon]

I have to agree with you Dan, having done a few long distance euro trips myself. Glad your '8 was faultless en route to Switzerland

[sarg]

Agreed, the journey is often better than the destination.

But Switzerland, pft, we went to Estonia and back last Summer

[mattylondon]

Sarg, what route to Estonia, via Calais? Done a few trips to Ukraine in the A4. Once we crossed Poland with just a 5 minute fuel stop

[ScottD3]

I'm not surprised the A8 can do it.

I've done the France, Spain, Andorra, Lake district and Scotland in the A4 before and that faultless plus comfy.
We are hopefully going to Italy in September if everything works out.

[David's8]

The '8 is just one of the best for long journeys. I am sure that the lack of fatigue issue is down to 2 things above all - the seats (which are superb) and the low noise levels. There is absolute evidence that a noisy environment is fatiguing (remember short haul flights with the early 737 with the "small" engines - they were very noisy and you were glad to get out at the end of a 1 hour filght from Glasgow to London.)

I just did Glasgow - Heathrow - Copehagen on Monday pm returning Tues night (Airbus's) and felt washed out after each journey. Its all hassle and noise. next time i'm thinking of ferry and driving.

[Goran]

Very nice, driving in Switzerland is relaxing and fun anyawy. Which mountains did you go to?
I remember when I went there I was so bored and tired through France, but as soon as the we crossed the border the tiredness went away, it was so exciting driving through Swiss scenery.

[Dan]

Stayed in Gryon, near Villars, but drove all over the place, including Diablarets, and then up to Glacier 3000. The weather could have been better as you can see!

Some piccies:-

[sarg]

Originally Posted by mattylondon

Sarg, what route to Estonia, via Calais? Done a few trips to Ukraine in the A4. Once we crossed Poland with just a 5 minute fuel stop

Yup, ferry about 8am Dover-Calais, first night in Berlin, then across Poland with 2nd night in Kėdainiai, Lithuania, then a half day leisurely drive up to Haapsalu, Estonia.

Western Poland was easy, all brand new toll motorways with little to no traffic, eastern Poland was a 'mare, single lane roads, very long straights but trains of 7-8 HGVs all bunched up together. And don't get me started on the road surface! And Poland is MAHOOSIVE.

Way back we stopped overnight at Bialystok, Poland, then 2nd night at Bielefeld, Germany, then leisurely 3rd day home.

Doing Northern Italy next year, around the Monza GP with a bit of luck, then probably Estonia again in 2016, but next time I'm going to drive less and stopover more.

As for going to South of France or Switzerland, I recommend a stopover around Dijon, it's about 7-8 hours from Calais and there are lovely hotels & restaurants around there.

[tonupkid]

Originally Posted by sarg

Doing Northern Italy next year, around the Monza GP with a bit of luck, then probably Estonia again in 2016, but next time I'm going to drive less and stopover more.

I love these kind of trips and have to agree with your idea, 'drive less & stopover more'. We always kept the driving short when dragging three kids along, and each stopover was a different experience. Sometimes driving (even in an 8) can leave you a bit underwhelmed. A bit like spending an entire day glued to the idiot box when, outside, the suns shining, if you know what I mean