ALPINE DRIVING TOUR – THE ITINERARY
Saturday 10th July | Calais to Epernay
Our rendezvous will be at the Eurotunnel Flexiplus café after which we will board our mid-morning crossing to Calais. Upon arrival in Calais, we begin the first 180-mile stint of the Alpine Driving Tour using the most direct route down to the beautiful Champagne region in France.
We will lunch halfway to Champagne and visit the old Circuit de Reims-Gueux for a photo opportunity in front of the old pit buildings. We then have a short journey to our hotel, the 5-star Hostellerie La Briqueterie Hotel. Dinner with wine is included at the fabulous hotel restaurant this evening.
Sunday 11th July | Epernay to Beaune
After a beautifully prepared French breakfast, we warm the cars ready to begin the D-road drive down to the next hotel, the Hotel Le Montrachet near Beaune, just west of Dijon. Once again, we will enjoy the gorgeous food on offer in the dining room for the Michelin star gourmet dinner at the hotel this evening.
Monday 12th July | Beaune to Gstaad
Today we cross the border into Switzerland en route to Gstaad. Our route takes us through the beautiful Jura National Park of France. We will drive through the park and cross the border into Switzerland skirting Lake Geneva before heading up into the Swiss mountains to our overnight stop, the beautiful Hotel de Rougemont & Spa boasting spectacular mountain views.
Upon arrival, we will have time to settle into our rooms before a locally sourced Swiss dinner in the hotel restaurant this evening.
Tuesday 13th July | Gstaad to Stresa
Today, after breakfast, we depart the hotel for our drive into Italy. Our destination is the beautiful shores of Lake Maggiore.
The scenic driving really begins today as we drive through the Swiss Alps to the town of Brig before we take on the first pass in the Alpine Driving Tour – the stunning Simplon Pass. The Simplon begins in Switzerland and takes us over the border into Italy. It boasts fabulous alpine views and reaches over 2,000 meters above sea level.
This evening we will overnight at a stunning grand hotel right on the lake shores and all the rooms will enjoy a beautiful view of the lake. This evening you are free to dine at the hotel or wander into Stresa and enjoy a typically Italian meal with views of the lake.
Wednesday 14th July | Stresa to Lenzerheide
This morning we will wake to the wonderful views of the lake and enjoy breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, it’s time to get back into the cars for another day of stunning driving on the Alpine Driving Tour. Our destination today is the beautiful quaint ski resort of Lenzerheide in Switzerland.
Today’s route will be one of the highlights of the Alpine Driving Tour. Our route begins as we drive up to Locarno with the lake on our right-hand side. We will cross the border back into Switzerland and drive the winding San Bernardino pass. This pass is one of our favourite roads to drive in Europe and has miles and miles of smooth tarmac with more incredible alpine views. This is, without doubt, one of the best days of driving you will ever encounter.
We will arrive in Lenzerheide in the late afternoon with time to settle into our rooms at the Valbella Inn Resort Hotel before dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Thursday 15th July | Pass driving day
Today, we will begin the first of two spectacular Alpine Pass driving days as we complete a loop from Lenzerheide to Davos where we join the stunning Fluela Pass to the town of Zernez. From Zernez, we will take the main road to the ski resort of San Moritz where we will stop for a gorgeous lunch with beautiful mountain views.
Following lunch in St Mortiz, we will then join the Julierpass. Another highlight on the Alpine Driving Tour, this pass is, with it’s wide open sweeping corners with incredible views, one of our all time favourite driving roads which we know you will enjoy considerably. The pass takes us back to Lenzerheide completing our first alpine loop.
This evening, you are free to enjoy one of the many fabulous restaurants on offer in Lenzerheide or dine at the hotel restaurant.
Friday 16th July | Lenzerheide to Andermatt
This morning we have a very relaxed start after the first few days of spectacular driving. We have a short 78 mile drive today which continues on spectacular smooth mountain roads. We will drive through the ski resorts of Flims & Laax before reaching the beautiful town of Andermatt.
Our hotel for the next two nights is the brand new 4 star Radisson Blu in Andermatt. The hotel features a spa and wellnes centre which includes a sauna. All the rooms we have booked feature gorgeous mountian views.
Saturday 17th July | Pass Driving Day
Today we have another relaxed start to the day and there is no need to pack as we are coming back to the the same hotel again this evening.
This is pass driving day and we have three spectacular passes in store for you: the Nufenen, Grimsel and Susten passes. We will leave the hotel around 10.30 hrs to begin our alpine loop. Once again, prepare to be wowed by these stunning roads and views.
We will end the day back in Andermatt and this evening you are free to enjoy dinner at the hotel restaurant or wander into town and choose from one of the many local restaurants.
Sunday 18th July | Andermatt to Colroy-la-Roche
After breakfast, we begin our journey back into France. We begin our journey on the Swiss motorway before leaving the motorway just north of Mulhouse. Here the route takes us into the mountains once again on beautiful French D roads through the Ballons des Vosges Nature Park. We will drive the fabulous D430 as we wind our way through the national park to our final overnight destination.
This evening our Alpine Driving Tour finale dinner is included at the stunning La Cheneaudiere Hotel & Spa. Once again, you can expect the finest French cuisine in the hotel restaurant.
Monday 19th July | Colroy-la-Roche to Calais
Today marks the end of the Alpine Driving Tour, however, the crossing is on a Flexiplus basis, therefore, you are welcome to choose the crossing that suits you best.
We have many hotel recommendations should you wish to break up the journey by taking an extra night in France on your way to Calais.