Planning a trip to Tuscany

[Lunar]

Hello everyone.

I've booked a couple of weeks' holiday for next June and would appreciate any advice regarding a trip to Italy in the F-Type.

At this stage it's practical tips I'm after.

I had originally planned to go via the autobahn and Swiss Alps, but am now thinking it would be better to go down through France.

The intention is to stay for 3 nights in 4 places with an overnight in France on the way there and back.

Topics I've thought of so far are...

- Safety / breakdown / legal requirements (e.g. tyre tread, seeing as I'm on Conti ForceContacts)
- Packing essentials, knowing the bags I can get into the boot and the shirts etc. behind the seats.
- Places to stay en route and there - best way to find and book direct / AirBnB / etc.
- The 4 places to stay.
- Places to see.
- Head to a car factory - Ferrari / Lamborghini / Maserati?
- Places to eat - generally or specific.

I want to get the right balance between making the most of the trip and not coming back broke.

I know that others have done / are planning such trips so maybe this post could end up split, as a good general guide, and with destination specific elements.

Thanks in advance for your advice and like I said, at this stage it's more tips and advice, than any lengthy stories about great trips you might have had - although please post those separately, as always a good read with photos

 

[Chipper3]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/s4mr85rdn2gaflr/Euro%20driving%20guide2014.pdf?dl=0 Check out the Jaguar guide on here for some good info. OK it's a few years old but I don't think much has changed.

 

[AMcC]

Sounds brilliant!

I had two fantastic weeks in Tuscany this summer - but without my F-Type. Staying in a wonderful villa, I thought I'd check how good the access road was with the owner. Just as well I did - a classic Italian "white road" (ie not much better than a dirt track). The rented Fiat 500 could just about make it, the F-Type would have been impossible. Worth checking!

An off-the-wall idea, I've taken the F-Type to the south of France twice, putting the car on the train from Paris to Cannes. Saves over 1000 mile wear and tear out and back, and you get a night or two in Paris. Quite cheap too if you book early. You could carry on to Tuscany.....

 

[Lunar]

Thanks for the ideas - appreciated

 

[wilksy]

We drove down to Austria and stopped off in Colmar on first night. It was around a 6 hour dirve from the Chunnel if I recall, and was at the limit of how far I wanted to travel in a day. Colmar's great if you want to take time out the following day to drive up into the mountains. Some spectular views and a great climb up from the valley. You could then do a shorter journey down to Lake Como via Switzerland and on from there. This snap taken part way up mountains outside Colmar,

 

[wilksy]

by the way - we had a great meal at Aux Trois Poissons in Colmar - went back there for a second visit.

 

[Lunar]

Thanks for the info wilksy.

 

[danmachin]

I’ve taken my previous f type to Spain, France, Italy, etc - the French route is probably quicker but the Swiss route is great in terms of scenery, I’ve done it a couple of times and really enjoyed it.

One tip that someone gave me, if you go through the tunnel, is to book your car in as a 4x4. That way you go upstairs instead of down and avoid the low kerbed walkways that scuff your wheels.

 

[Lunar]

Ooh, that's certainly worth knowing - cheers.

...might have to get an awd badge

 

[daytona650]

The eurotunnel advice is right. I ended up on the low herbed car deck with mine once and it is possible to not kerb your wheels but it's tight and nervy. Other times i just tell them i'm going in the caravan / coach bit.