Europe Stopover Gems (Out of the way)?

[barryd]

Presume Mont Blanc will reopen soon ?
70€ !

Didn't even know it was shut. I think Frejus tunnel is a bit cheaper. Isn't their an alternative route for both? I dont mind paying tolls but now I have a new van Im very keen to take it over some of the big passes.

 

[barryd]

2 Favorites St Criox Verdon an Gavarinie crossing back into France I'd use the Col due Mont Cenis

Mont-Cenis · 73480 Val-Cenis, France

âââââ · Mountain pass

www.google.co.uk

Cheers. Yes I found that one but right now its showing as closed. Google Maps wont let you go over it.

 

[mark61]

You'd have to pay me to drive through Mont Blanc tunnel, I'm not wasting my trip in that stinky hole when there are cols to do.
No doubt Col due Mont Cenis is only closed for the winter, and pretty sure the road will be close just after val d'sere come ski season.

 

[TJBi]

Didn't even know it was shut. I think Frejus tunnel is a bit cheaper. Isn't their an alternative route for both? I dont mind paying tolls but now I have a new van Im very keen to take it over some of the big passes.

APRIL-DECEMBER 2024 - TOTAL CLOSURES TO TRAFFIC and ALTERNATING ONE-WAY TRAFFIC | Mont Blanc

From April to June, and from the beginning of September to mid-December 2024, the Mont Blanc Tunnel is going on with two major projects: the road deck’s renovation works and the complete reconstruction of two portions of the tunnel vault of 300 metres each. These activities require: - 12 midweek...

www.tunnelmb.net

 

[jacquigem]

Didn't even know it was shut. I think Frejus tunnel is a bit cheaper. Isn't their an alternative route for both? I dont mind paying tolls but now I have a new van Im very keen to take it over some of the big passes.

We came thru via Claviere last summer . Nice countryside on both sides if the town where we stayed the night.

 

[barryd]

You'd have to pay me to drive through Mont Blanc tunnel, I'm not wasting my trip in that stinky hole when there are cols to do.
No doubt Col due Mont Cenis is only closed for the winter, and pretty sure the road will be close just after val d'sere come ski season.

Trouble is. Google Maps knows they are closed so its messing up my planning which granted is a little early for next summer.

I think I have been ambitious with my plans. 90 days isn't enough.

 

[alcam]

Didn't even know it was shut. I think Frejus tunnel is a bit cheaper. Isn't their an alternative route for both? I dont mind paying tolls but now I have a new van Im very keen to take it over some of the big passes.

Possibly both shut for maintenance?
Would think they'd be open long before summer .
I do everything to avoid height situations.
I do like tall girls though

 

[mark61]

Trouble is. Google Maps knows they are closed so its messing up my planning which granted is a little early for next summer.

I think I have been ambitious with my plans. 90 days isn't enough.

Blooming amateur! Click on the "depart at" calendar and choose a date next summer.


Just checked, any date 30th April > will do for that pass.

 

[barryd]

Blooming amateur! Click on the "depart at" calendar and choose a date next summer.


Just checked, any date 30th April > will do for that pass.

Ah yes. However. It only works with two points. If you have three or four or more it don't work.

 

[witzend]

Cheers. Yes I found that one but right now its showing as closed. Google Maps wont let you go over it.

Closed for winter be open time you get there

Agenda

L'agenda des animations et des événements organisés en Haute Maurienne Vanoise. Culture et sport dans une ambiance chaleureuse

www.haute-maurienne-vanoise.com

The access road to the Mont Cenis pass (2081 m altitude), and to Italy, has been open since Friday May 17, 2024.

Please note: in winter, the road is no longer accessible and largely becomes a ski slope: L'Escargot, the longest green slope in Europe (11km).

Usually the pass is closed for the winter season from the 2nd Monday in November (this year Monday, November 11, 2024) until the 2nd Friday

 

[barryd]

Closed for winter be open time you get there

Agenda

L'agenda des animations et des événements organisés en Haute Maurienne Vanoise. Culture et sport dans une ambiance chaleureuse

www.haute-maurienne-vanoise.com

The access road to the Mont Cenis pass (2081 m altitude), and to Italy, has been open since Friday May 17, 2024.

Please note: in winter, the road is no longer accessible and largely becomes a ski slope: L'Escargot, the longest green slope in Europe (11km).

Usually the pass is closed for the winter season from the 2nd Monday in November (this year Monday, November 11, 2024) until the 2nd Friday

I think there are quite a few that turn into ski slopes. This is the Col de Tentes above Gavarnie. I think this was in Early May a fair few years back. There were still people skiing down it.

 

[mark61]

Ah yes. However. It only works with two points. If you have three or four or more it don't work.

Does for me, just done one with 7 intermediate points.

Another sweet camping spot here. Strange, I thought that one was in locations too.

 

[gasgas]

Great spot here. Thought it was put on location app, but doesn't appear to be there anymore. perhaps they've built on it.

Another here, but well off your route, but would be on mine.. Top place though, trouble it's a dead end so lots of repeat driving when off on scooter.

Many of the dead end roads lead to places with good parking, just busy on weekends.

I don't know whether to
a) post a "I hate you" emoticon for making me feel very angry that I am not there . . . .NOW!
or b) post a "oooh I've got goose bumps recalling such places we have been to
or c) click off the forum and book a ferry sailing tomorrow.

But anyway I'll do a 'like' for giving me something to look forward to next year.
You are aware that the South of France in the summer is unbearably hot, I presume? Or do you like 43 degrees C? We didn't when we went in the 1970's with a campervan. I thought "where's cool? I know. The Alps". so we packed up and headed for the hills and when it got down to 38 degrees that was better because we could breathe without choking.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

So today I loosely started planning next years Summer trip. We may get a French Visa but given some of the issues others seem to be having and also that we might want to do the Scottish Islands first I am initially planning a three month trip which is roughly based on the map below. Black Forest, Switzerland, Western Italian Lakes and the Alps and then the rest is France but also including the Pyrenees.

I've done them all before but not for a fair few years. We carry a scooter so like to try and find those out of the way places with plenty off room where we can stay a while and enjoy the bike. France Im ok with but Im specifically looking at Switzerland, the Black Forest and the Italian Alps and lakes towards Maggiore and a bit further east and west. Im not averse to campsites but prefer laid back farm site types or Aires with grassy space or even a wild camping spot. If you dont want to share then a PM is fine.

Anyone got any belters?

This is the very rough plan. Three months over probably June, July and August.

View attachment 137099

That's not too different to what we did earlier this years and what's planned for 2025 Barry apart from the Alpy bit which Liz likes but struggles with the steep drop offs.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

We spent a night here next to Geneva airport, no street view but it was very quiet apart form planes landing but we like that, room for one van only.


46.254521696024646, 6.1270538502229615

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Great video Mark.

 

[barryd]

Does for me, just done one with 7 intermediate points.

Another sweet camping spot here . Strange, I thought that one was in locations too.

I get this message. Once you have multiple destinations it wont let you select a date to depart or if you have two and a date to depart like this example below it wont let you add multiple destinations. I wonder if its specific to certain areas.

 

[barryd]

It won't work the other way either. I put in three destinations and now the "leave at" option is gone.

 

[mark61]

I get this message. Once you have multiple destinations it wont let you select a date to depart or if you have two and a date to depart like this example below it wont let you add multiple destinations. I wonder if its specific to certain areas.

I get that if hover over the plus sign, but going straight to the calendar icon and choosing a date doesn't seem to bother it.
I can do a route with multiple destinations (up to 7 I think) then select date and the route will change, or I can select date from the calendar first.

 

[barryd]

I get that if hover over the plus sign, but going straight to the calendar icon and choosing a date doesn't seem to bother it.
I can do a route with multiple destinations (up to 7 I think) then select date and the route will change, or I can select date from the calendar first.

View attachment 137141

you only have two destinations there though. You can drag the route about after you have selected depart at but you cannot add destinations from right clicking the map or using the add destination as its gone as soon as you select depart at. Typically I will add up to ten which I think is the max but as soon as you have added more than two you are knackered.