2017 - Fast and Fuhrerious Rally
In 2017 we took off to the “Eagles Nest” as part of our “Fast and Fuhrerious” Austrian Tour 22nd to 30th September 2017
Day 1: 21/9/17 – Thursday
Depart from The Brookmans Car Park at midday. Easy trundle down to Folkestone to catch the Eurotunnel train. Latest check-in time is 2.20pm – Train leaves at 2.50pm arriving in Calais at 3.25pm however you need to add an hour onto that for DST so arrival at 4.25pm.
Then we drive south to the first Motel which is just a basic arrangement just outside Reims. We will arrive around 7pm.
Hotel Kyriad Design Enzo Reims – Tinqueux (Booked as Bed only)
Day 2: 22/9/17 – Friday
Depart after breakfast heading south east for about 235 miles through France into Germany. Early in the drive I have chosen for us to avoid a bit of the motorway and use a superb “D” Road I have discovered before – The wickedly straight D994 – It goes on forever and has little traffic.
D994 – “The Runway”
We will then get back onto the A4 again for most of the remaining drive. It should take in total around 4hrs so looking at a stop in a service area on the way for a snack. However, it may pay us to stay a little hungry as the hotel we are heading for just inside “Ze German” border seems to promote its food so should be good. Kohler’s Hotel Engel is booked as Bed and breakfast – Rates are 82 Euro per head.
Day 3: 23/9/17 – Saturday
Today we hit the Black Forest along the famous B500. We wiggle south through the forest stopping at Triberg for refreshments before another south facing wiggle then turning south east heading towards Lake Constance. Along this route we will touch a stretch of autobahn with no speed limit so hopefully an opportunity to “clear the pipes”. This route is around 187 miles and looking like taking around 4 and a half hours. Now for those inclined we can start testing the higher octane “Racing” fuel available from many Shell stations in Germany.
The hotel Schönblick sits up on the side of the hills overlooking Lake Constance and is a smidge inside the Austrian border hence the websites “.at” suffix. The food and drink looks good. The hotel has a “Cheese and Wine Cellar” which could be worth a try. Time may be our Achilles heel though so as long as we get away from the Kohlers hotel briskly we should be good to chill here. Not a cheap hotel this one at 130 Euro per head / 172 Euro per shared room. This includes breakfast. Obviously, a popular hotel.
Day 4: 24/9/17 – Sunday
Today we start the two-day journey along the famous “Deutsche AlpenStrasse” – The German Alpine Road. The whole route is around 270+ miles long. We will be doing around 140 on this day. It doesn’t sound much but it will take around 4hrs and due to the makeup of the road with a mixture of curves, twisties and most importantly the views are spectacular. Speed is not an issue on these two legs as there are limits but that’s fine as it allows you the time to really appreciate the scenery. It’s a trip you won’t forget and not one you will likely do again too soon.
The road has its own website so worth a look to see the whole thing http://www.deutsche-alpenstrasse.de/en/home
Depending on progress we may look to stop for lunch in Nesselwang where there is an abundance of food places including a Pizzeria. We will stop at Hotel Friedenseiche in Benediktbeuern. This is a modest hotel which appears to have “Chill” written all over it. Good Bavarian food and drink in an alpine lodge feel about the place. Better value at this hotel compared to the last one. Prices are 80.00 each and 110.00 sharing. This includes breakfast but not the spa.
Day 5: 25/9/2017 – Monday
This is our second day driving the German Alpine Road ending up in Berchtesgaden. Similar great scenery with a mixture of roads to experience. A journey of around 158 miles which will take a touch over 4hrs to complete. For one section of the route we will step off of the Alpine road in order to keep time on a stretch of Autobahn briefly followed by a stop at McDonalds for a snack before moving back onto the Alpine Road.
We will finish this section by stopping at the Edelweiss Hotel in Berchtesgaden where we will be staying for 2 nights. This is a lovely hotel in the middle of town with great food, great sauna, swimming pool, roof terrace etc. It comes at a price though at 140.00 per person or 220.00 sharing. The restaurant has made us a generous offer in relation to their evening meal at 25.00 per head and is recommended. During the “Day off” I recommend a trip to the “Eagles nest” or Kehlsteinhaus. It can be seen from the Hotel on a nice day but worth a trip if you haven’t been before. Good weather is a must though. Parking is in an underground car park directly beneath the hotel. A lift takes you straight into reception.
Hotel Edelweiss – Berchtesgarden
Roof Terrace – Edelweiss
Its recommended to get to the bus stop, where you are picked up, as early as possible as the tourist do turn up on-mass as the morning goes on and as we are close by its easier to get in early. This will take about 2 or three hours to do which leaves the midday / early afternoon to either chill in the hotel or you can visit the “Salzbergwerk” Salt mine which again is just down the road from the hotel.
Day 7: 27/9/2017 – Wednesday
Ok so hopefully fully rested we start a fairly long day climbing high into the Austrian and Italian Alps. The first leg of the day will be an 80mile journey from Berchtesgaden up onto the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, – World famous road with (weather permitting) Spectacular views and dozens of twisties. A real brake tester in places…. The Grossglockner is a toll road which gets paid on the way up. 36.00 Euro. (Those with electric milk floats get a 10 Euro discount)!! We should grab some refreshments at the highest part before the long drive down into Italy heading for Cortina (another 80 miles) – Total drive time on this day is around 5hrs not including stops – so no easy ride…
There are a couple of opportunities to fill from a Shell garage on this route. One before hitting the Grossglockner in “Zell am See” – Then one before the final run into Cortina
We will be staying in Hotel Aquila – Right in the centre of Cortina D’Ampezzo. I have chosen this one as the price is reasonable and we can eat out at any restaurant we fancy. As expensive or as cheap as you like.
Rooms are £85.00 each (£43 if sharing). Tariff is Bed and buffet breakfast. Parking is to the rear of the hotel.
Day 8: 28/9/2017 – Thursday
Today we head North west from the Dolomites back into Austria along some spectacular Italian alpine roads, Monte Giovo pass and then hitting the Timmelsjoch Pass after about 3hrs. (114miles).
This needs a 200BHP.COM Sticker on it urgently…..!!
Having gone to the top of the pass we hit the Austrian Mountain Obergurgl and stop for a well-earned rest at the Top Mountain Motorcycle Museum for food. This is at the border of Italy and Austria at Crosspoint. https://www.crosspoint.tirol/en-home
Lunch at the Crosspoint Top Motorcycle Museum
After lunch, we head down the mountain on the Austrian side through the town of Soelden where (as long as you haven’t already topped up) can pick up some more Shell fuel.
We then head down the valley before the climb up to our Hotel which is next to the Silvrettasee Dam on the highest part of the Silvretta High Alpine Road at approx. 6000ft above sea-level above the vegetation levels. Around 76 miles from Obergurgl and will take a couple of hours.
The Silvretta High Alpine road is a Toll road but it is included in our tariff. We are staying at the Hotel Piz Buin Silvrettasee which faces the Piz Buin mountain. The hotel is on the lake (highlighted by the ring) below. This is a ski hotel in reason and so is fairly basic with room prices at 64.00 each including breakfast.
The Hotel Piz Buin (Circled) Next to the Silvretta Dam
http://www.buin.at/de/willkommen/ueber-uns.html
Day 9: 29/9/2017 – Friday
The long-haul North to Baden Baden. It’s about 220 miles and will take a total of about 5 1/2hrs. The first part is the run down the mountain on the Silvretta Pass – Great to wake us up first off.
The Silvretta Pass
Then the route is as straight as possible but we have a little (leg out) to drive through a bit of Lichtenstein so we can add it to our list of countries visited. We could even grab a coffee there. Essentially, we will hit the Swiss motorway, running up the west shoreline of Lake Constance before heading back into the Black Forest to the eastern side which will see some more twisties. Before this though we have a huge stretch of unlimited Autobahn to eat some miles. We will play the lunch and coffee stops by ear depending on how people feel. We end at the Hotel Magnetberg which is reserved on a bed and breakfast tariff at 90.00 per room. (45.00 each for those sharing).
Hotel Magnetberg – Baden Baden
This will be our official “End of Rally” evening and so time to break out the Tuxes please gents. ( Black tie + You will need your passports to gain entry to the casino) .Don’t forget or no entry. !! After a few drinks in the hotel bar a taxi will take us at 9pm down to the famous Baden Baden Casino where we are booked into the “Grill” for dinner.
Baden Baden Casino (said to be one of the most beautiful casinos in the world)
The Grill
Tables
After dinner, we can take our chances on the tables or fruit machines for a bit of fun.
https://www.casino-baden-baden.de/en/ http://www.the-grill-baden-baden.de/
Finally, we have a reservation at the “Bernstein Club” open till the early hours.
Top DJ David Hoffmann will be playing for our enjoyment.
Then it’s taxis back to the hotel. We have a late check out (midday) but we do have a long jaunt back to Blighty on the Saturday so really need to get on the road at midday to get to the Eurotunnel in good time.
Day 10: 30/9/2017 – Saturday
The run back to England with the Brookmans at the end of it…. However, it’s a good 6hrs to get to Calais so mind those heads the night before. (400+ miles). Then once on the other side of the channel an hour or so to get to the Brookies. We need to be at the port in Calais by 7.20pm ready for an 8.20pm crossing. We get an hour back heading this way so will arrive in Folkestone around 8pm.
Should be in the pub by 9.30pm …
That’s it chaps. A lot of sorting out but let’s hope it all comes together. It’s the company that makes it not just the driving and the scenery but this will be one to remember for the roads if nothing else.
Few smaller Videos
Another little compilation to finish off