Italian Road Trip 2022

Super excited... just weeks away now.

Coupé road trip from Scotland to Italy is a green light for go... Ive missed this so so much.

We've had our vaccinations and so have the dogs.

The coupé will get a good check over with fresh MOT, oil change and since our previous road trips the little sound deadening project is complete, Ragazzon cat back system and with a centre box is now for fitted... thats a must as the replaced system was too boomy for long journeys. Ive also had UV film applied to the windscreen now which hopefully will reduce cabin temps with the coupè not having A/C... every little helps.

The route which is approximately 2500 miles over 14 nights.

Our journey begins with a short 130 miles from home to Newcastle to catch the overnight ferry to Ijmuiden. Arriving in Netherlands the following day feeling refreshed and ready for 3 days drive.

2 overnight stops in Germany just outside of Frankfurt and in Munich, then crossing in to Austria at Salzburg.

Finally reaching Italy the day's will be more relaxing with a few days at each stop from east Palmanova to Reggio Emelia to our last Italian stop in Turin.

Our return home route will take us from Turin into Switzerland via the Great St Bernard Pass (The Italian Job) and just nipping in to France for a overnight stop.

The next day we will continue our Coupé drive north to an overnight stop near Baden-Baden and our last stop definitely has to be in Jüchen where we have stayed on our last trip... That castle really can't be missed and makes for a perfect last stop.

Our last day gives us a short drive from northern Germany to the Netherlands and the ferry journey home😢

Have a wonderful time.

I'm really envious !

Paul

Nice one Brian, that’s some journey. Your Coupe will be well admired en route, very clean and looked after…

Rosso,

Looking forward to your safe journey and return - and your updates.

Some time since I last ventured in to the EU with a car - what if any difficulties did you encounter- or is it currently much the same as before?

I don't have a smart phone - and know some eu countries require you to log in to a tracker app for covid- I'm hopeful for a trip over to the eu once these remaining covid rules pass.

Can just tell your going to have a great time!

Regards

MM

In practical terms, no-one gives a damn about covid any more... France requires to declare that you don't have it when you enter, but after that, that's about it.

For driving around, anyway. Lots of places still require that you have been vaccinated, so carry your certificates, and masks are still recommended in most indoor public places and required on e.g. German public transport.

Brian, what are your dates? I'm heading down to the Chamonix area - Samoens - on the 21st May for a week's flying.

Neil

Thanks Paul and Jim certainly looking forward to it after cancelling 2021s

Its looking a little different from the trip we had in 2020. We got lucky at the time meaning we could go but whilst
in Italy the restrictions came in and we had to self isolate for 2 weeks after returning to the UK. So that turned into a month off work.

This year with vaccines in place means its easier for us travelling through the countries but will continue to keep ourselves as safe as possible. Digital passes and printed passes all on standby with passenger locator forms filled in for Italy.

Things have also changed a bit for travelling with dogs, with passports being replaced by health certificates although that just seems like another way to get more money out of us.

We have some great stuff planned for our stops along the way and obviously in Italy. Some great passes, maybe some car museums along the way. Hoping we make it out of Turin in one piece that's certainly looking like a highlight for me and maybe meet some Coupe's too.

Neil We will be in La Chapelle-d'Abondance on the 29th May which doesn't look too far from Samoens... google maps says 1 hour. I guess we might just miss you if your there for a week maybe?

I fear we shall have just left

Dammit too late for catching you then Neil and too early for for meeting Simon and Joe at festival Italia

It is the way of the world, Brian. There's always Carlisle...

Yes maybe 2023 or at the 30th Anniversary. Theres one or two coupé gatherings in Italy but a day or two out.

In Turin you can visit the old Fiat factory at Lingotto - it now houses a hotel and shopping centre. The main lobby has on display a 1930s Fiat Topolino - if you ask the receptionist, she will give you the key to go up to the famous rooftop track. Just around the corner is the Museo dell'Automobile, which has many Fiats & Alfas to admire. And directly across the road from Lingotto is Eataly - a huge foodie heaven where you can have lunch then fill up any boot space with edible stuff to bring home.

"Like"

Exciting countdown Brian, especially after last year's disappointment.

I'm working on a list of souvenirs (all yellow) you might like to bring me back

You have must have read my plans As it so happens we will be staying at the hotel in Lingotto... It had to be first choice. I wonder how I could persuade the reception to let the coupe up Looking forward to that even if it has been turned into gardens. And the Museo dell'Automobileis perfect for us with it being pet friendly. Ill be looking up this Eataly for sure. Tempting to fill the boot up but will have to see what space is available.

Yes 2 weeks today we will be on our way so get working on the yellow souvenirs Simon

Lingotto is a good stay. Some pics and blurb on our travel blog here https://sueandwink.wordpress.com/category/italy-2015/. Seems that the Topolino in the lobby is actually 1948 vintage. View it in Google Translate for auto-translation of the Italian language posts. Eataly is highly recommended.

Thanks thats a great writeup especially liked hearing of lake Trasimeno. It brings back memories of one of our earliest trips to Italy around Umbria and Tuscany.

A small selection of our 2022 Italian Road Trip Photos

Excellent trip and the coupé was trouble free

But it was exceptionally warm in Italy for May so windows down all the time with no aircon in an attempt to keep the dogs cool. I did have a usb fan attached in the rear seat which really was a godsend for them two.

Our third time driving to to Italy and still learning doing big trips like these through Europe. Covering the miles to get to Italy with dogs it has to be split up reaching Italy on the third day from getting off the ferry at Ijmuiden.


Day 1 314 miles Ijmuiden to Sailuf 1 night stay

Day 2 236 miles Sailuf to Feldkirchen-Westerham 1 night stay

Day 3 272 miles arrived in Cervignano del Friuli 3 night stay

202 miles Cervignano del Friuli to Reggio Emelia 3 night stay

175 miles Reggio Emelia to Turin 2 night stay

160 miles Turin to La Chapelle-d'Abondance 1 night stay

Day 12 240 miles La Chapelle-d'Abondance to Baden Baden 1 night stay

Day 13 244 miles Baden Baden to Monchengladbach 1 night stay

Day 14 156 miles Monchengladbach to Ijmuiden


Still to total up all the miles but cant be far off 3000 with the day trips.

All in all a great trip and finally getting to Turin in the coupe was highlight for me and also staying in the hotel at the Lingotto was a dream and a brief meet-up with Davide Briglia from Fiat Coupé Turin who came to visit us a whilst we were staying at the Lingotto.

Now when is the next trip is all I want to know?

Lovely story and smashing photos.

I really need to get my head around journeys and get us to Montpellier in South of France.

Paul

What an epic trip and thanks for sharing the pictures and the excitement.

It looks like you had a great balance of automotive things to see, places to go and some stunning vistas to drive through.

1,999 miles in total from what you have listed- presume your topped up each time the tank got to 1/4. I believe fuel prices are better in Italia compared to UK?

Hats off to doing it all with two canines! Glad they survived the heat.

Best,

MM

Great pictures.
Looks like a nice trip. Car looks great.

Definitely much more of adventure driving than flying. We made great choices of accommodation on this years trip and all Id love to be revisited.

More time in Turin for the next trip will be required for the museums. The national automobile museum was spectacular and meeting up with about 15 coupè from the Torino Fb group was special.

We had planned our route from Turin to take us to Gran San Bernardo Pass and to France but that was closed and had to use the tunnel whilst running into 13 mile tail back so that spoiled my plan and our night stay in France.

The coupé run faultlessly and comfortably covered the miles although aircon really would make it better bur well i best atart saving for the conversion. Last years winter sound deadening project and fitting the 2 box Ragazzon system greatly reduced cabin noise.

Thats now the third trip that cannies have been with us but I think we can both see the restrictions and trying to dodge the heat for them isnt always possible ao im pretty certain they will be staying at home next trip.