A journey through open roads, along canals, stunning views and fantastic mountain passes — from the Channel to Champagne country.
Day 1 – The Adventure Begins: From Calais to La Louvière, Belgium
Crossing the Channel, canals, and Belgian beer.
Route: Calais → La Louvière (205 km)
Highlights: Eurotunnel crossing, Strépy-Thieu boat lift, Belgian brasserie dinner.
And so, the road trip begins. After three hectic days of planning and packing, the adventure truly started with the Eurotunnel crossing — a smooth glide beneath the Channel that always feels like the true beginning of any European drive.
Once in Belgium, we headed for the Strépy-Thieu boat lift, an astonishing piece of engineering. For just £26, we joined a 2.5-hour canal tour that included ascending inside one of the world’s largest boat lifts — a surreal, slow-motion rise in a floating platform. A short train ride returned us along the canals.
Soon after we checked into the Orange Hotel, a welcoming and modern stopover. Dinner was at Brasserie Troll & Bush Dubuisson, where hearty Belgian food met Dubuisson’s own house beers. The perfect way to toast the beginning of 4,178 km of adventure.
Day 2 – Cathedral Views and Craft Beers: Belgium to Strasbourg, France
Four countries, 445 km, and a climb to the skies.
Route: La Louvière → Luxembourg → Germany → Strasbourg (445 km)
An early breakfast and we were on the road by 8:30. Sunshine and showers chased us across borders — Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, and finally France.
Our reward was the final 80 km of French D-roads, winding through villages and fields, the best driving stretch of the day. Arriving in Strasbourg, we checked into the K Hotel, then jumped on the tram straight to the Strasbourg Cathedral.
Climbing its 330 twisting steps was a workout, but the panoramic view over the city rooftops was worth every one.
Dinner was pure serendipity — Au Cannon, where happy hour lured us in. Craft beers (€5 a pint) and hearty Alsatian food kept us smiling. We ended the evening wandering Petite France, its half-timbered houses glowing under the night lights — a fairy-tale ending to a four-country day.
Day 3 – Into the Black Forest: Strasbourg to Oppenau, Germany
Wind, winding roads, and the joy of the unexpected.
Route: Strasbourg → Baden-Baden → B500 → Oppenau → Rebstock (296 km)
We fuelled up and set off for Baden-Baden, stoping to take the funicular up Merkur Mountain — gusty but spectacular. Then came the legendary B500, the Black Forest Highway.
It’s scenic but surprisingly restricted, peppered with speed cameras and limits. The real thrill came when we detoured toward Oppenau — a narrow, hairpin-filled mountain road that tested both nerves and skill.
Coffee and Strudeltorte in Oppenau were the perfect break, and a local café owner even gave me a parking disc for free — German kindness at its best.
We stayed at the Landgasthof-Hotel Rebstock, a charming traditional inn where Google Translate earned its keep. Dinner was hearty, and yes — we cheekily claimed our breakfast seats early with towels.
Day 4 – Alpine Magic: Through Switzerland and Liechtenstein to Nauders, Austria
Borders, lakes, and a perfect mountain pass.
Route: Oppenau → Lake Constance → Liechtenstein → Nauders (300 km)
A day of scenic variety — from Switzerland’s calm lakes to alpine passes. We cruised past Lake Constance, stopped for drinks by the shore, then detoured into Liechtenstein, where a riverside walk led us to the three-country border marker.
Lunch was a simple picnic shared between Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein — literally.
Skipping the long Arlberg Tunnel, we climbed the mountain pass instead — a spectacular route that tested the car and rewarded every curve. We reached Hotel Bergblick in Nauders, and were welcomely greeted. Booking direct paid off — deluxe room, breakfast, and a three-course dinner for just £3 more than the booking.com online rate of just breakfast only. A stunning hotel, brilliant staff, and a perfect mountain setting.
Day 5 – The Stelvio Pass: Every Driver’s Dream
One of the greatest roads on Earth.
Route: Nauders → Stelvio Pass → Lake Garda (275 km)
We left early to conquer the legendary Stelvio Pass — twisting mountain bliss with the tight hairpins demanded precision. Stopping at the top, a Dutch driver pulled alongside and said that’s was fun following you up. Mirrors folded in, tyres scrubbed, the pair of us spirits high.
We continued on to Gavia Pass its narrow, twisting, and utterly exhilarating — often single-track with steep drops and few barriers. It’s quieter than Stelvio but arguably more dramatic with constant elevation changes and stunning alpine views and glacial lakes. Ann gripped the seat more than once along this pass, but I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face.
By afternoon, we descended toward Lake Garda, checking into Hotel Antica Croce next to the castle. Dinner there was pure Italian magic — generations of tradition, local wine, and genuine warmth. A end to a perfect day.
Day 6 – Circling Lake Garda
From sunrise drives to sunset swims.
Route: Full Lake Garda circuit (140 km)
30°C, roof down, turquoise water shimmering — the stuff of postcards. We planned a quick loop around Lake Garda and ended up on an eight-hour odyssey. Every few kilometres another village, viewpoint, or café begged for a stop.
Each town had its charm, from lively Sirmione to peaceful Limone sul Garda. We missed the famous Strada della Forra (the James Bond Road), but that only means one thing — we’ll be back.
A long day, but one that perfectly captured the magic of Italy.
Day 7 – From Mountains to Motors: Lake Garda to Maranello
Heat, heritage, and heartfelt moments.
Route: Lake Garda → Argenta Gap → Maranello (320 km)
35°C on leather seats — a scorcher of a drive! But a special one, as we visited the Argenta Gap War Cemetery, where Ann’s uncle is buried. A moment of reflection amid the miles.
Reaching Maranello, home of Ferrari, we checked into The Maranello Palace, directly opposite the factory. Dinner at Baratie Maranello was spontaneous and brilliant — local laughter, €3 happy-hour plates, and craft beer. Ann discovered a refreshing “Maranello piña colada,” and we toasted to another perfect day.
Day 8 – The Spirit of Ferrari
Racing heritage and Italian passion.
A leisurely breakfast under the Italian sun, coffee in hand, with Ferrari’s iconic factory as the backdrop.
We spent the day exploring Maranello — its monuments, test track, and the Ferrari Museum. Later, we joined fellow fans in the Enzo Ferrari Auditorium to watch the Formula 1 race live.
Dinner in Piazza Liberta closed the day — warm night air, glowing streetlights, and that unmistakable hum of Italian pride.
Day 9 – From Italy to the Riviera: Maranello to Biot
500 km, 70+ tunnels, and one hypercar.
Route: Maranello → Bordighera → Menton → Biot (500 km)
Today was about distance — 426 km on Italian toll roads, €37 total, and worth every pound. Smooth, scenic, and peppered with sky-high bridges and endless tunnels.
A roadside surprise: spotting a Pagani Utopia, a £2.5 million hypercar. Cameras out, jaws dropped.
We dropped off the toll road just before crossing into France, then we hugged the French coast line — Menton’s pastel beauty, Monaco’s cliffs, and Nice’s chaotic charm at rush hour. By the time we reached Biot, we were sun-tired but content.
Day 10 – Route de Napoléon: Biot to Chorges
History and horsepower on one of France’s great drives.
Route: Biot → Castellane → Sisteron → Chorges (220 km)
The Route de Napoléon was everything we’d hoped for — sweeping bends, rhythmic flow, and no tolls in sight.
We picnicked by the river in Castellane, then explored Sisteron’s fortress, perched dramatically above the Durance. The final climb to Chorges was steep and barrier-free, but the view over the Barrage de Serre-Ponçon was breathtaking.
Dinner was a simple takeaway pizza, eaten in peace at sunset.
Day 11 – Chorges to Annecy
Col de Manse, crisp air, and lakeside calm.
Route: Chorges → Gap → Annecy (211 km)
10°C and overcast — a shock after days of sun. The drive over the Col de Manse offered moody alpine views and Tour de France nostalgia.
Arriving in Annecy, leaving the car at the hotel, we caught the tram into Annecy where we took a 90-minute lake cruise, and though rain caught us afterward, dinner at a tiny Thai street-food spot made up for it.
By nightfall, the rain eased and we settled in, ready to explore more tomorrow.
Day 12 – Castles, Canyons, and Craft Beer
Exploring the beauty of Annecy.
A perfect balance of culture and nature. We toured châteaux around Lake Annecy, watched paragliders land by the shore, and picnicked near Château de Duingt.
Later, we visited the dramatic Gorges du Fier, walking 24 metres above the roaring waters — one of the Alps’ natural wonders.
Evening brought local craft beer and conversation — a relaxed finale to a day of simple pleasures.
Day 13 – Troyes: A Medieval Farewell
Old towns and Champagne dreams.
Route: Annecy → Troyes (437 km)
An early start through drizzle and toll roads brought us to Troyes, where the weather miraculously turned sunny just in time for lunch.
We spent the afternoon exploring its medieval core, all timbered houses and cobbled lanes, before settling by the river for drinks.
Dinner that evening in the old quarter was lively and full of nostalgia — our final night on the continent.
Day 14 – Homeward Bound
Troyes → Calais → Home.
The final stretch. One last French breakfast, then back to Calais
for the Eurotunnel crossing.
As the train hummed beneath the Channel, we looked back over 4,178 km of roads,
mountains, lakes, and memories — 10 hotels, six countries, and countless
smiles.
The European Road trip of a lifetime.
✨ Trip Summary
Total Distance: 4,178 km (2,596 miles)
Countries: 6
Hotels: 10 (£1,426.22 total / £109.70 avg We had half board at some
hotels)
Fuel: £433.71
Food: £256.08
Eurotunnel: £318
Favourite Drives: Oppenau Detour off the B500, Stelvio Pass, Route de
Napoléon
Top Tip: Avoid toll roads — save money, find magic.
#robandann