Blog

After two nights in Cortina d’Ampezzo we now move on to Brescia. The group had different preferences so we all drove there on our own. Or in smaller groups of 2-3 cars. Some took the opportunity to add some more passes to the list. We ourself took aim at Riva del Garda. The plan was to have lunch there. We drove 304 km today.

On the way to Riva del Garda we got fooled by the GPS. So, we ended up at the toll road towards Brennerpaß. But we managed to get off that and back on track towards Riva del Garda. Last time we visited this area was in 2015. Then we used a garage in Riva del Garda next to the SS45bis road. So, we set out looking for that again. It was still there and had available spaces when we arrived. We had lunch at one of the restaurants in the harbour with a great view of the lake.

The road from Riva del Garda towards Brescia was very busy. Most scary are the cyclists that cycle in the tunnels in dark clothes and no lights on their bikes. What’s wrong with these people? We had planned to get off the main road and go over the mountains. But once more the GPS played us some tricks. So we ended up taking another route which was quicker but less scenic.

Since the hotel restaurant was closed today. We got a recommendation to go to nearby Osteria Vallebtesciana. It turned out to be very good. Well worth visiting if you are in the area.

Today it was time to explore the Dolomites. The sky was blue when we woke up. After breakfast, 5 of us in the group took off to Forte Tre Sassi. It’s an old fort from WW1, just 30 minutes drive from Cortina d’Ampezzo. Today it’s a museum dedicated to the fighting in the Dolomites between Italy and Austria during WW1. It’s a well presented museum worth visiting. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take photos inside the museum. So, you’ll only find exterior photos here.

After Forte Tre Sassi, we drove to Passo delle Erbe for lunch. Our guide for today, Martin, usually stay at the hotel there when he and his friends visit the Dolomites. The roads from Passo di Falzarego was very beautiful. So was the views from the terass at Utia de Börz.

After the lunch we continued to Passo Giau. Yet more stunning views at the pass and fun serpentine roads on the way to and from the pass. From Passo Giau it’s only 30 minutes drive to Cortina d’Ampezzo.

In the evening we all went out for dinner. The food was ok but the service a complete disaster. I thought my wife would blow a fuse. So, we can’t recommed ”Bierstube FORST”. Go somewhere else! Such as ”LP26” across the square.

In total we drove 122 km today. Roof was down all day 👍

Today we set off rather early in order to get to Cortina d’Ampezzo in time. We had planned to go via Großglockner and Großglockner High Alpine Road. But the weather forecast showed heavy rain through the day. So, we wouldn’t have seen much. Thus we decided to go directly to Cortina. Some of the party went via Innsbruck. But we drove via Lienz instead. Once we got to the Italian side, the sun came out and the roof ment down. While still in Austria, we found a car wash which was well needed.

Driving today was generally good. Since it was Sunday, there were no lorries on the road in Germany or Austria. We once again had some serious rain while on the Autobahn. In total, we drove 486 km today.

Parking facilities at the hotel was disapointing. It turned out that the garage was only accessable via a very narrow ramp down to the basement. So, I ended up scratching one wheel while trying to avoid scraping the front against the wall. The only other option was an outdoor parking area. Not something we fancy in a city with a softtop.

We ended the day at a local restaurang where we finally got to meet the whole group.

We started the day with s decent breakfast at Holiday Inn in Leipzig. Not as good as the previous morning in Berlin. But still ok. The sun was shining in the morning, so the roof went down. The primary destination for the day was the DDR Grenzbahnhof museum in Probstzella. But they only opened at 13:00 according to thrir website. So, we decided to first go to Jena and the Planetarium there, which had got good reviews. We drove on some nice roads from Leipzig to Jena. Once there, it turned out that the next show was targeted at children. Well, you are not older than you feel. So, we got to hear and watch a story by the Grimm brothers about the Moon 😸

After Jens (and some issues getting out of the garage), we drove to Probstzella. Some more great roads on the way. We didn’t expect to find serpentine roads in this region. But there are some really good ones here! Once we got to Probstzella, the museum was closed due to ”rebuilding”. We didn’t see any information about this on the website, which was rather annoying to say the least. We tried to find somewhere to eat lunch in the village. But everything was closed. The hotel that once was there would make a great scenery for a horror movie.

With the help of Google, we found a restaurant in a nearby village called Lauenstein, that was really good. After this, we set off towards the hotel for the night. Apple Maps took us on some really nice roads through the mountains. Once we got to the Autobahn, the sky opened up once more. But we made it to the hotel, where we met up with our German friends Martin and Rene.

Today we drove 325 km. From Leipzig to Jena. Then to Probstzella, and finally to Osternohe.

Second day of our grand tour. The weather had improved a lot since yesterday. After breakfast we set off towards Potsdam. On the way we passed over Glienicker Brücke. Known from the Cold war era and spy exchanges. Most recently the movie ’Bridge of Spies’.

We struggled a bit to find the parking area near Sansoucci castle. But we got there together with one of our friends. We went for a tour of the castle with audio book. It’s a fascinating history from a by gone era. Beatuiful building as well, including the garden. After this we went for a walk in the park. Behind the ”new castle”, we found a café. Café Caroline, which should be avoided at all cost. After a very disapointing lunch with non-existing service, we drove to nearby Cecilienhof. This was the location of the Potsdam conference. Which ended the 2nd World War in Eutope. And effectively started the Cold War.

We then drove to Leipzig for our second night in Germany. The hotel, Holiday Inn Leipzig, is situated in the outskirts of Leipzig. Thus we decided to eat dinner at the hotel. It turned out to be a decent meal and also very cheap.

Today we drove a lot shorter distance. Although we managed to get stuck in stau on the way to Leipzig. 40 km from the hotel to Potsdam and then 159 km yo Leipzig.

Finally, the grand tour that has been planned since late 2019 is coming through! September 8 is the first day, primarily transit to Berlin. Due to bad weather in the Baltic sea, the ferry we had booked got cancelled. This cancellation came yesterday, which caused a lot of confusion and extra planning. So, the group ended up taking different alternative routes to Berlin. All in all it was a long day for most of us.

842 km from Åkersberga to Rødby, 45 min on the ferry followed by 371 km from Puttgarden to Berlin. We start just after 02:00 in thd morning and arrived at the hotel in Berlin just aft 17:00 in the early evening.

2020 didn’t happen, nor did 2021 for obvious reasons. But finally we are soon on the road again. In September we head for the Dolomites and the Alps. Together with 20 other cars we’ll take on Germany, Austria and Italy. With the focus on Italy. Do stay tuned for some exciting weeks in September!

Item	SEK	EUR	GBP	Note
Fuel cost	6 185	575	516
Öresund bridge	458	42	38	t/r
Rødby-Puttgarden ferry	2 279	212	190	t/r
Hoek van Holland-Harwich ferry	4 020	374	336	t/r
Portmeirion Hotel	3 223	300	269	1 night
De Vere Horwood Hotel	2 851	265	238	2 nights
Maenan Abbey Hotel	4 312	401	360	3 nights
Fletcher Family Hotel Paterwolde	2 343	218	195	2 nights
Lotus Cup Europe, Assen TT Circuit	1 612	150	135	weekend ticket
Silverstone Classic	1 041	97	87	1 day club package
Snetterton Circuit	287	27	24	1 day ticket
Slate mountain	719	67	60
Bodnant Garden	335	31	28
Caernarfon tourist boat	192	18	16
Shuttleworth Collection	503	47	42
Anglesey Transport Museum	156	14	13
Grand total	30 520	2 839	2 547

Time to summarize this years grand tour. In all, we drove some 3 317 km (2 061 miles) during 11 days. The costs above where in different currencies, but gives fair view. This was for two adults and one car. What isn’t included above is food and drinks since this is very much up to everyones taste and preferences.

Highlights

Lotus Cup Europe at Assen was good. Although the start grid could have done with some more cars. The weather is difficult to do something about. Also, the Fletcher Family Hotel Paterwolde can be recommended. Very friendly staff and more than ok to stay at for a couple of nights. The Maenan Abbey Hotel was very much what we expected from a hotel on the country side. You either like it or don’t. But we absolutely love this kind of places. Plus very friendly staff and good food in the restaurant. Slate mountain was very good in the end, although the initial impression wasn’t good. See blog post for the details. Well worth a visit if you are into industrial history. Bodnant Garden was as good as any other garden. We are certainly not garden enthusiasts, but we do appreciate the grandeur of them. The tourist boat in Caernarfon was worth the money and the 40 minutes it took. Finally, Silverstone Classic. Again, the weather isn’t much to do anything about. The event as such was well organized and it was easy to access the whole area. Well worth a visit, but one day is probably enough.

Lowlights

If you’ve already been to Duxford and/or RAF Hendon. Then you can skip Shuttleworth Collection. It’s a decent collection, but nothing that stands out. plus the restaurant was definitely sub-standard. Same goes for Anglesey Transport Museum. If you are interested in cars, go somewhere else. A cramped collection of cars, motorbikes and tractors. Plus some random military vehicles in poor condition. The two worst things with this tour was the Portmeirion Hotel and De Vere Horwood Hotel respectively. The price and lack of service at Portmeirion Hotel and the overall experience at De Vere Horwood Hotel. See blog posts for more details. Portmeirion could be worth a visit as such, just because it’s so quirky. But don’t stay there overnight.