Copperman05
New member
Ok I've been meaning to post this for a while but havent had the time. Its a long post so be warned!
In September I completed a 2800 mile trip through several major countries in Europe, including Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and France.
The destination was Le Lavandou in south France, here we were staying a week before moving to my sisters in Switzerland via a night in Italy.
On the way to Provence I decided that as Stuttgart wasn't that much of a detour we would also visit the Porsche Museum (via Belgium and Luxembourg as no toll roads). One thing I must say about the autobahn, what an experience that is! Quite surreal being able to drive at such speeds legally, the S2 was in its element, happy to cruise at 110-120. The limiting factor was traffic, and un-restricted sections that weren't long enough to reach top speeds. I did try, managed 133mph, which is respectable considering we were fully laden with luggage, camping gear and fuel. A longer, straight road would have allowed higher speeds as I felt the S2 still had more to give.
We stayed at the Golden Leaf hotel in Zuffenhausen, perfect for the museum as its only a short walk away. I must admit I didnt realise the museum was right in the centre of the Porsche factories, walking from the hotel you walk past several Porsche workshops and buildings. A memory that will stay in my mind is that of seeing two young german boys looking into the engine workshop at night (usually during the day this is impossible at the windows are mirrored on the outside) here technicians could be seen working on V8 engines for the Panamera?, perhaps they were hoping to be working there in the future...
The museum itself was very impressive, and cheap, just 8 Euro for the day. The museum contains some rare competition Porsche's from differing years and also one off's and prototypes not likely to be seen elsewhere, the museum is a must for any Porsche enthusiast and thoroughly recommended.
After the museum the route I had chosen took me to Switzerland and to some of the famous mountain passes of that area. The drive to Hospental near Andermatt was short so the evening on arrival was spent driving the Furka, Susten and Grimsel passes, a route that can be done in a circle as each pass is linked. This has to be one of the driving highlights of the trip, the roads were pratically empty and the sun was setting making for an amazing drive in an amazing landscape. The Furka was much more technical with tight small twisty roads whilst the Susten and Grimsel being more sweeping and open, driving heaven for any Porsche owner.
After a night in Hospental it was on to the south of France, my route taking me through Italy, here I found another surprise, the Alpine motorways were a revelation, so different from the small twisting passes of the higher mountains, the motorways were fast, beautiful and seemingly forever ending. Virtually empty in the morning when I drove them they went on for nearly 150 miles and into Italy. It was then across to Turin and back over the Alps and into Briancon.
The drive down to Le Lavandou then continued along the route Napoleon and through many beautiful towns of Provence, such a special place this, I can see why it is so popular, not just the odd nice town but town after town are picture postcard and the roads between them all undulating driving roads.
After a week sunning ourselves in Provence we drove to Switzerland, after a memorable stay in Casa Scaparoni (thoroughly recommended) on the way, is was then on to one of the highest roads in Europe, the Col de L'Iseran is an epic drive across the beautiful park Vanoise, with lakes and breathtaking views across the mountains. At 2775 metres its a fair climb, 25 years ago when my Dad drove us across the same pass as children it wasnt even tarmac'd, now though its the highest paved mountain pass in the Alps. Forget the Stelvio, this is The road for me, unforgettable.
After that the Grand St Bernard pass seemed like a normal road, its not, but the traffic on it spoilt the drive somewhat. Then it was onto Lausanne in Switzerland.
After a week the drive back was a non stop stint through France up to Calais and although the roads were long straight and emtpy, this made them a bit boring. You could drive at a pace here and no one would really notice.
Overall a great trip and something I've been wanting to do for a while, in all we did 10 different passes, you could quite easily just spend a couple weeks driving through them and never leave the Alps, perhaps this is one for the future.
The car was nothing but impressive throughout, the only issue I had in 2800 miles was a broken sunroof mechanism, a common fault on our cars so it was just a matter of time after 22 years. I also topped up the oil, the engine taking 1ltr over 2330 miles again quite acceptable considering the type of spirited driving, and high accents.
Overall MPG was about 26mpg, the lowest between fills about 25mpg (Autobahn + Swiss Alps) the most about 28 mpg (French motoways), not much of a difference, but I do drive the car quite hard (and it keeps coming back for more...)
And so do I!
Edd
Link to route
In September I completed a 2800 mile trip through several major countries in Europe, including Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and France.
The destination was Le Lavandou in south France, here we were staying a week before moving to my sisters in Switzerland via a night in Italy.
On the way to Provence I decided that as Stuttgart wasn't that much of a detour we would also visit the Porsche Museum (via Belgium and Luxembourg as no toll roads). One thing I must say about the autobahn, what an experience that is! Quite surreal being able to drive at such speeds legally, the S2 was in its element, happy to cruise at 110-120. The limiting factor was traffic, and un-restricted sections that weren't long enough to reach top speeds. I did try, managed 133mph, which is respectable considering we were fully laden with luggage, camping gear and fuel. A longer, straight road would have allowed higher speeds as I felt the S2 still had more to give.
We stayed at the Golden Leaf hotel in Zuffenhausen, perfect for the museum as its only a short walk away. I must admit I didnt realise the museum was right in the centre of the Porsche factories, walking from the hotel you walk past several Porsche workshops and buildings. A memory that will stay in my mind is that of seeing two young german boys looking into the engine workshop at night (usually during the day this is impossible at the windows are mirrored on the outside) here technicians could be seen working on V8 engines for the Panamera?, perhaps they were hoping to be working there in the future...
The museum itself was very impressive, and cheap, just 8 Euro for the day. The museum contains some rare competition Porsche's from differing years and also one off's and prototypes not likely to be seen elsewhere, the museum is a must for any Porsche enthusiast and thoroughly recommended.
After the museum the route I had chosen took me to Switzerland and to some of the famous mountain passes of that area. The drive to Hospental near Andermatt was short so the evening on arrival was spent driving the Furka, Susten and Grimsel passes, a route that can be done in a circle as each pass is linked. This has to be one of the driving highlights of the trip, the roads were pratically empty and the sun was setting making for an amazing drive in an amazing landscape. The Furka was much more technical with tight small twisty roads whilst the Susten and Grimsel being more sweeping and open, driving heaven for any Porsche owner.
After a night in Hospental it was on to the south of France, my route taking me through Italy, here I found another surprise, the Alpine motorways were a revelation, so different from the small twisting passes of the higher mountains, the motorways were fast, beautiful and seemingly forever ending. Virtually empty in the morning when I drove them they went on for nearly 150 miles and into Italy. It was then across to Turin and back over the Alps and into Briancon.
The drive down to Le Lavandou then continued along the route Napoleon and through many beautiful towns of Provence, such a special place this, I can see why it is so popular, not just the odd nice town but town after town are picture postcard and the roads between them all undulating driving roads.
After a week sunning ourselves in Provence we drove to Switzerland, after a memorable stay in Casa Scaparoni (thoroughly recommended) on the way, is was then on to one of the highest roads in Europe, the Col de L'Iseran is an epic drive across the beautiful park Vanoise, with lakes and breathtaking views across the mountains. At 2775 metres its a fair climb, 25 years ago when my Dad drove us across the same pass as children it wasnt even tarmac'd, now though its the highest paved mountain pass in the Alps. Forget the Stelvio, this is The road for me, unforgettable.
After that the Grand St Bernard pass seemed like a normal road, its not, but the traffic on it spoilt the drive somewhat. Then it was onto Lausanne in Switzerland.
After a week the drive back was a non stop stint through France up to Calais and although the roads were long straight and emtpy, this made them a bit boring. You could drive at a pace here and no one would really notice.
Overall a great trip and something I've been wanting to do for a while, in all we did 10 different passes, you could quite easily just spend a couple weeks driving through them and never leave the Alps, perhaps this is one for the future.
The car was nothing but impressive throughout, the only issue I had in 2800 miles was a broken sunroof mechanism, a common fault on our cars so it was just a matter of time after 22 years. I also topped up the oil, the engine taking 1ltr over 2330 miles again quite acceptable considering the type of spirited driving, and high accents.
Overall MPG was about 26mpg, the lowest between fills about 25mpg (Autobahn + Swiss Alps) the most about 28 mpg (French motoways), not much of a difference, but I do drive the car quite hard (and it keeps coming back for more...)
And so do I!
Edd
Link to route
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