[bholten]

So here is the plan 6th of feb is my 21st and i want to do something memorable <<<< well at least the trip

im looking for advice on where to go and what to do
im hoping to travel on monday and come back before monday 15th

So far i have organised:

• Changed oil
  
• Check fuel filter
  
• Check air filter
  
• Tire pressures and tread etc
  
• Just a general service of the car
  
• Breakdown cover
  
• Sleeping bags if i can't find anywhere to stay
  
• Legal stuff like triangle, high vis vest, first aid kit, license papers, insurance cert, light adjusters, GB Badge
  
• Some Goodies for the trip
  
• Bank for use of my card in Europe and some cash
  
• Ferry ticket (will late book it soooooo much cheaper) (Dover to Calais)
  
• Camera of course

So any advice you can offer will be a massive help

for example is it best (cheaper) to fuel up in the uk or france
i have read bits of their high way code and basically its all opposite to ours GREAT

[James 306]

Me and my partner went on a roadtrip through Europe in December! It was amazing.

We went from Portsmouth to Le Havre, drove into Paris, then Amsterdam followed by Bruge. We then got the ferry from Dunquirke to Dover.

Fuel wise, UK and France are about the same so makes no difference, fill up in Belguim, it's the cheapest fuel on our trip. The only advice I would really give is make sure you find a hotel in Advance with Parking as it's a pain in the arse! If we did it again we wouldn't bother with the car.

Here is a link to the thread on it Clicky for pic goodness

[bholten]

awesome stuff still can't get over how well the green looks with white

Shame about the camera though

i have heard that drinks and clubs in paris are good for burning holes in your pocket??? true? or false

thanks for your help

i have been looking to go on some great driving roads but everywhere seems to be snowed over any suggestions?

[James 306]

Drinks are expensive in Paris, well everwhere in Europe. You buy in half litres not pints. We didn't go clubbing in Paris so can't comment on that. Amsterdam is pretty good though, well worth a visit!

Driving road wise, we stuck to main roads (unfortunatly) as the shatnav didn't do small ones, plus not much really between cities where we were going. Head towards Switzerland if you have the time, I would have if I had more than 1 week.

Be warned though, we were considering a week in Egypt as an alternative, and this week long road trip was a lot more expensive!

[bholten]

more expensive seriously wouldn't have thought that i do roughly have enough but then again egypt mmmmmm
na... heart is still set on a road trip
i was planning to go Switzerland but all the good roads that were mentioned on top gear and google are all covered in snow which would be interesting and suicidal at times

[James 306]

We did stay in a Hotel every night we were over there, the missus loves her sleep far to much and has to have a good bed. If you're a bit more relaxed and don't mind kipping in the car, or a tent, that would bring the cost down a HUGE amount!

[bholten]

yer that doesn't bother me in the slightest would be nice to have an actual bed one night just to get some good sleep before i trek home

[Rallye James]

bholten, on 03 February 2010 - 10:42 AM, said:

[*]Ferry ticket (will late book it soooooo much cheaper) (Dover to Calais)

I wouldn't, it's usually cheaper to book longer in advance in my experience. I paid £80 last year booking a month in advance, but am paying £40 this year booking 8 months in advance

Try the Dover to Dunkerque ferry too (Norfolkline), it's usually a bit cheaper than Dover to Calais

I'm off on a trip to Cologne at the end of the month for 5 nights (3 in Cologne and 2 in Dunkirque to split the journey there and back up) which is going to cost me and a passenger around £200 each - that's taking into account ferries, hotels and fuel!

For a basic bed for the night at a good price, try Formule 1 hotels. As said they are very basic, but comfortable and usually about £25-30 for a twin room for a night

[James 306]

Also for ferry booking, it's cheaper to do an overnight crossing. We did this and planned to sleep in the ball pit in the kiddies area, soft and comfy, but some people beat us to it so slept under the stairs! Fun fun.

[Sam]

the only thing i can add is if you plan on sleeping in the puggie drip the seats down flat and lay on something soft as it's extreamlly uncomftable otherwise

[bholten]

well i have been checking the site and if you book a day or two in advance tickets are like a tenner for a one way trip

theres a ball pit DUDE how come i have never seen this!!

thanks for the advice to look into Dover to Dunkerque im looking into that and for a basic room where abouts are they situated are they like hostels or something

and james that is one cheap holiday what are you planning to do on those days?

well i have already tested out droping the back seats flat and dropping a blanket down so your feet are in the boot and i have to say that is quite comfortable kinda like a double bed

just in case

[Rallye James]

Hotel Formule 1, they're all over the place. They look like a prison from the outside, but they're not bad actually, and you certainly can't complain at the price

I'm just off to use up some holiday that I'll lose if I don't take it before end of March, thought I might as well do something productive whilst I'm off. Planning to go visit the Nurburgring (although it's closed to the public that week) and spend a day in Dusseldorf. Also picking up a free carpet for my car in Holland on the way, random as you like!

[bholten]

nice one free carpet you can't complain with that!!

i want to go to the nurburgring but its got about 4 inches of snow on it at the mo and all the good driving roads in Switzerland are covered in snow gutting really

[James 306]

Rallye James, on 03 February 2010 - 10:56 PM, said:

picking up a free carpet for my car in Holland

Would that be a hemp carpet by any chance?

[bholten]

Right travelling at 1am to dover tomorrow (8th)

i got everything i need.... i think

Thanks to rallye james got some really cheap tickets from dover to Dunkerque top man

and may go to Amsterdam

Well wish me luck im sure the old girl will get me there and back got 152000 on the clock so we shall see

i will update with pictures when i return!!!! thanks to everyone for your help

[James 306]

Top stuff! Deffo go to Amsterdam! Have a good and safe trip

[Rallye James]

Very good, glad I could help!

Looking forward to seeing the pics!