Now that we're 2019 and that much closer to our Turin road trip it raises the question for planning, the duration, where we stay and how we get there.
I'm hoping Giorgio will update us with hotel details for Turin, this and the program so assuming the anniversary meeting is the two days 22nd-23rd June I was looking at travelling over early on 20th for a night in Switzerland, Friday arrive in Turin, enjoy the weekend and reverse it so I'd travel back to the UK on the Tuesday afternoon, if that sounds right let me know so I get an idea of how many rooms to book for both sides of the journey.

That sounds good to me Joe- none of my family are able to attend so it’s just me room wise

I regret to say that for family reasons, it's extremely unlikely I'll be able to attend this meet.

Sorry to hear it Neil, hope all is ok... or heading in that direction

Sadly, not. But I don't have anything like a timescale, so I can't commit time.

Sounds like a plan, we will definitely travel down with y'all Joe and most likely back again too - unless babysitter works out really well and we take a detour to NE Italy to visit an old friend at her small boutique hotel on the way back.

Really sorry to hear your news Neil - hang in there - but I will keep my fingers crossed you manage to join us

Hi Joe
Very interested in joining you for this road trip especially if it includes an "Italian Job" style drive over the Alps. Tunnels are so boring (And expensive)
Dave

A route over the Alps would be awesome, what roads to you take when you drove down for the 20th?

I planned to rendezvous with you joe and go with whatever you had in mind, so count me in with the hotel and ferry details too. Keep me posted please mate! Will message you soon anyway wrt servicing Carlos and fitting short shift before the trip

1. CC + 1 you don't have a choice
2. Barnacle + 1
3. Ballypete
4. Serg1
5. BBR + 1
6. Barmybob + 1
7. skulkin [+1] [probably]
8. Phil Vincy LE + 1
9. Clint (clintos)
10. Klaas + 1 if + 1 confirms

Boys, Coupé owners ....... finally we on Friday January 25th we will have meeting with event organizers. Then we will have answers to everything. Meanwhile, we have found 3 hotels for you and will provide you with more precise information. Even how many fiat coupes can participate. We are working for you

1. CC + 1 you don't have a choice
2. Barnacle + 1
3. Ballypete
4. Serg1
5. BBR + 1
6. Barmybob + 1
7. skulkin [+1] [probably]
8. Phil Vincy LE + 1
9. Clint (clintos)
10. Klaas + 1 if + 1 confirms
11. Gilbo + 1

Thanks Giorgio, ideally hotel accommodation for 3x nights from the Friday.

1. CC + 1 you don't have a choice
2. Barnacle + 1
3. Ballypete
4. Serg1
5. BBR + 1
6. Barmybob + 1
7. skulkin [+1] [probably]
8. Phil Vincy LE + 1
9. Clint (clintos)
10. Klaas + 1 if + 1 confirms
11. Gilbo + 1
12- Coupedummy+1 hopefully

1. CC + 1 you don't have a choice
2. Barnacle + 1
3. Ballypete
4. Serg1
5. BBR + 1
6. Barmybob + 1
7. skulkin [+1] [probably]
8. Phil Vincy LE + 1
9. Clint (clintos)
10. Klaas + 1 if + 1 confirms
11. Gilbo + 1
12- Coupedummy+1 hopefully
13. DaveG +1 or +2 possibly

I need to run something past your guys, driving times from Dunkirk to Bern Switzerland is 8+hrs, that's the road time Europe side so doesn't include the Ferry crossing from the uk, too much for one day, thoughts?

It’s certainly a very long day. Question is, where do we stop otherwise?

From experience - much nicer to stay eu side somewhere and have a quality beer to two in a new place- then to spend the night before uk side near a ferry terminal.

But obviously it adds another night (or two) to the travel...

regards

Clint what would your travel plans be, drive down on the first day and stay near Dover?

Totally agree, driving in Europe is so much nicer then the UK roads and traffic.

I'm happy to go the extra night if everyone is, means a possible extra night on the return leg of the journey as well.

Thanks for bringing this up as I was struggling to see how we would get down there in one drive.

I am up for an extra night (each way) to stay in europe for all the very good reasons so far.

Dover is a 3 hr drive for us

I'm sure in our younger years we would have seen this as a challenge arriving at the bar in Bern exhausted but happy, but now being of a more mature age I'm sure we'd all prefer an enjoyable ride down with an extra night to take in the sites and of course stopping for a spot of lunch

Still looking to get to this one.

This trip was just going to be me and my film maker but I can't leave Trish at home, the dates straddle our wedding anniversary!

The Coupé needs loads of work doing too - got most of the parts just need to get the enthusiasm to fit them and then get other work booked in!

And finally I have to try and convince myself I want to drive the Coupé that far again. Since Norway I've not gone further than 200 miles in any one trip! I have even looked into sticking a tow bar on the Audi and taking the Coupé on a trailer

Id love to put my name down for this but afraid its likely going to be the 30th Anniversary for us.

If I can add we returned in October from an awesome 2 week trip from Bonnie Scotland to the north of Italy. The coupe was very good at eating up the miles and covering just over 2400 miles round trip.

We got the ferry from Newcastle to Ijmuiden. Leaving the ferry on the morning feeling fresh and ready for the first overnight stop in Mulhouse was really the best way to do it considering getting to Italy the fastest way for us. So I had managed at least 8hours and 460 miles on that first day but to be honest that was a real push and would perhaps cut that down for any future trips.

Our route from Ijmuiden, Germany, Switzerland and into Italy via the San Gotthard Pass.

Count me in.

1. CC + 1 you don't have a choice
2. Barnacle + 1
3. Ballypete
4. Serg1
5. BBR + 1
6. Barmybob + 1
7. skulkin [+1] [probably]
8. Phil Vincy LE + 1
9. Clint (clintos)
10. Klaas + 1 if + 1 confirms
11. Gilbo + 1
12- Coupedummy+1 hopefully
13. DaveG +1 or +2 possibly
14. 1st_things_1st (Andrew) + 1, probably

Could another option be to break up the European (to Bern) side of the trip into 2 x 4 hour chunks? Have a 1/2 to 1 hour rest half way, then do the rest. Still a 9 hours trip total, so may be too much for some.

We all rendezvous at Dover first, fairly early. Those travelling far may come over the night before, so are fresh for the European (to Bern) part.

Probably drive to you and stay overnight and head off with you the next morning I guess. Call me 🤙

Extra night each way is fine for me. I would drive down from Leicester and stop overnight in Dover before we headed across the channel regardless as it is 5-6hrs from my location.

1. CC
2. Barnacle + 1
3. Ballypete
4. Serg1
5. BBR + 1
6. Barmybob + 1
7. skulkin [+1] [probably]
8. Phil Vincy LE + 1
9. Clint (clintos)
10. Klaas + 1 if + 1 confirms
11. Gilbo + 1
12- Coupedummy+1 hopefully
13. DaveG +1 or +2 possibly
14. 1st_things_1st (Andrew) + 1, probably
15. Sam + 1

Take it on the trailer