Alpine Express 2007 & 2008 (Deluxe Package)
May to September - for Couples and Groups
10** Nights, 5 Countries -
Spectacular Scenery, Italian Lakes, Alpine Roads and Passes!
Night 1 Your chosen port of entry to Champagne
Your holiday really begins once you arrive in the Champagne region of northern France. Following a drive from your chosen port of entry, you should have time to pay a nostalgic visit to the remains of the former GP circuit near Reims – which is gradually being restored - for the ubiquitous ‘photo-opportunity'.
Your accommodation for the first night of your Motoring Adventure is a splendid 4* Château, on Bed & Breakfast basis, enabling you to choose from the superb gastronomic menu in the hotels' restaurant, where a table will be reserved for you.
The Château has splendid views and an outdoor swimming pool. The Château has recently been subject to thorough modernisation, and all rooms offer superb facilities.
Night 2 Champagne - Strasbourg,
244 miles, 3h 36m
Today is an easy driving day. Your destination is the cultural city of Strasbourg, where you will stay in the historic Old Quarter, with its quaint half-timbered houses, Alsatian buildings, and canals. Known as the most exclusive 4* Hotel in Strasbourg, contemporary styled rooms with balconies overlook the canal in a stunning setting. Apart from the extraordinary standard of comfort, what strikes you is the contrast between outer walls loaded with history and the most modern interior design decorated with paintings retracing the history of Alsace. Your accommodation will again be reserved on Bed & Breakfast basis, as there are many superb restaurants within a short walking distance. A stroll through the Old Quarter is very relaxing and enjoyable after your evening meal.
A superior room with a balcony overlooking the canal is included*
Your day begins with a drive through part of the German Black Forest en-route to Chocolate Box Switzerland. The scenery is simply beautiful, and again being an easy driving day, you will arrive in plenty of time to explore this typically Swiss picturesque town.
Your accommodation tonight will be in a warm and welcoming 4* Hotel, again on Bed & Breakfast basis.
The Hotels grand façade overlooks the main square and offers magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. Rooms are spacious, service is exceptional, and being in the heart of town, you can leave the car in the Hotels' secure car park and soak-up the relaxed atmosphere.
Start your day with a cable-car ride to one of the highest peaks of this beautiful area to drink-in the stunning alpine scenery, followed by a short drive through delightful Swiss countryside, before crossing the border into Austria, where you will tackle your first pass of the holiday (a gentle 1802m) into a pretty Austrian ski and walking resort.
Your beautiful 4* Schloss Hotel is perfectly presented, and nestles at the bottom of a ski slope - in fact, the cable car is right next door! The Hotel benefits from secure parking, exquisite rooms with all comforts in beautiful Austrian style, and one of the best breakfasts of your tour! The Hotel also has a sauna and relaxation area, as well as a delightful bar in the garden. If weather permits, you can again enjoy a cable-car ride to the top of the mountain where you will enjoy superb views of the Tyrol.
Night 5 Austrian Tyrol - Lake Como, Italy, 152 miles, 3h 54m
Another day, another fantastic drive, but which route to take to beautiful Lake Como? Each route offers breathtaking scenery, either via famous mountain passes (including the mighty Stelvio – the second highest road pass in Europe, with its 98 hairpins) or alternatively a gentler route back into Switzerland with a lunch-stop in glamorous in St Moritz – you choose!
Your accommodation for the next two nights is again a 4* hotel, this time in a simply stunning location, right on the edge of the Lake. This Hotel is one of our personal favourites; the beautiful rooms have terraces overlooking the lake*, where you can just simply relax and watch the boats go by. The Hotel serves light lunches on the terrace, and although it does not have a restaurant, that is not a problem, as we can reserve a table for your evening meal at one of our favourite restaurants situated within a short stroll.
Night 6 Rest Day - Lake Como
You couldn't possibly visit Lake Como without taking a breather!
Today is a day to spend at your leisure - maybe take a ferry or water taxi to visit some of the other beautiful lakeside towns and villages.
.
Your second nights stay on Lake Como is again arranged on Bed & Breakfast basis, enabling you to choose where to enjoy your evening meal, from the numerous local restaurants serving delicious Italian dishes.
Night 7 Lake Como - Southern Switzerland, 187 miles, 4h 49m
Start your journey with a car-ferry across the lake, and then back into Switzerland and over the St Gotthard and Furka passes - breathtaking!
After the passes you will arrive at a small town in the Valais Alps with a village atmosphere - it is at quite an altitude – and the drive up to the village is quite simply stunning and is used for Hill-Climb events.The Valet will park your car in the secure car park.
Tonight you are staying in a lovely 4* Hotel in a thermal town, again on Bed & Breakfast basis. The Hotel has enormous indoor and outdoor swimming pools - at a temperature of an amazing 36°!
The rooms are spacious, and the hotel also benefits from three gastronomic restaurants. Your breakfast in the morning will again be one of the most sumptuous of the entire holiday - so leave some room!
Night 8 Valais Alps - Lake Annecy, France, 129 miles, 3h 29m
Time to leave Switzerland and cross in to France, where you will enjoy the superb scenery of the French Alps – including views of Mont Blanc. You will again experience some glorious passes during this lovely drive, with its many variations of scenery.
Your 4* Hotel is located on the shore of the Lake, which boasts the purest waters in Europe.
Tonights accommodation is once more reserved on Bed & Breakfast basis, and we will arrange a table for dinner. If the weather permits, you can dine outside overlooking the lake - perfect!
Night 9 Rest Day - Lake Annecy
Another day to enjoy beside this beautiful lake, or take a boat trip and hop off at Annecy Old Town, which is simply beautiful. Maybe take a short drive to the Gorges of Fear, where you will certainly need a head for heights!! Again, your accommodation is reserved on Bed & Breakfast basis, as there are numerous restaurants nearby.
Night 10 Lake Annecy - Champagne, 339 miles, 5h 24m
So your adventure is coming to an end – but not quite! Today you drive to the Champagne region, where you will enjoy accommodation on the outskirts of Epernay – the centre of Champagne production, at yet another superb 4* Hotel, with a lovely indoor swimming pool.
Tonights accommodation is once more reserved on Bed & Breakfast basis, and we will arrange a table for dinner in the gastronomic restaurant.
Day 11 Champagne to your chosen port of departure Your last day, but lots to do! First of all drive the short distance into town for some Champagne shopping, visit one of the many boutiques of the famous Champagne Houses, and maybe even take a cellar and tasting tour, before returning to your chosen port and your crossing back to the UK.
Approximate total mileage is 1270 from Champagne to Champagne.
*subject to availability **minimum holiday duration - can be extended - please enquire
The price of this adventure is from £1095.00 per person.
Prices are based on two people sharing a double/twin room, and travelling in one car.
(Additional accommodation close to your chosen port can be arranged at extra cost, so you can arrive refreshed for the start of your journey - please enquire)
What's Included
Accommodation as specified
Continental Breakfast
Detailed Route Planning.
What's Not Included
Motorway Tolls etc.
Meals & drinks (including alterations to the Hotels specified Breakfast Menu)
Daily Tax (usually around €1.60 per person)
Parking Fees
Car Hire (we do not provide cars, but can help find a reputable hire car company)
Channel Crossings - Bonne Route can arrange your Channel crossing through the following companies: - Seafrance - Dover to Calais
Norfolkline - Dover to Dunkerque
Superfast Ferries - Rosyth to Zeebrugge
P & O Ferries - Dover to Calais
P & O Ferries - Hull to Zeebrugge
Brittany Ferries - Portsmouth to Caen, Cherbourg or St. Malo.
Brittany Ferries - Poole to Cherbourg
Brittany Ferries - Plymouth to Roscoff
