Zedding Abroad for Beginners

[Tearoom]

I've had my z3 for around 3 years now and had some really nice drives in it.
I've also read stories on here of Euro trips down to the mountains etc, but I'm not sure I'm up for that big a drive having not ventured off dear old Blighty before.
Well, I wouldn't mind taking my zed across the channel and do a few days around Normandy, somewhere not too far, yet somewhere different.
There must be a few interesting places to visit in Northern France, maybe the D-Day beaches for example.

We could rent a country/farm house as a base for a few days, hopefully a big driveway for a few zeds.

Just wondering if there are any other members who would fancy a mini euro trip for beginners.
As their weather is similar to ours I was thinking maybe late June, early July next year.

Is it best to go on ferry or through the tunnel?

My organisational skills aren't great, but I just thought I would put the question out there.

 

[Slam]

I have just come back from Brittany great place to drive roads are silky smooth and deserted. We took the ferry and they was empty but may be a different story now the schools have broken up for summer.

 

[Grumps]

Excellent idea to start of with. We've been over many times, in the zed, our regular car or caravanning. If your doing Normandy and Brittany and you don't want a huge drive take the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry.
St Malo is a walled town and definatley worth a days visit. Also Mont St Michel is a must. Both are totally free to enter and great days out. Don't hesitate on your plans. You've got them bang on and i'm jealous already!! Go enjoy! Need any more info just shout up.

 

[billz]

Once you are across the water then it is easy to commute to any where in Europe. If you dont fancy doing the Alps or Pyrenees then the next best thing to these are the Grand Ballon in Northern France its only around 7hrs from Calais and gives you the option to visit Reims and possibly stay in Epinal enroute.
We go every year and always use the Tunnel as it is just so easy and within 35 minutes you are in France.
Some shots from the Ballon area
Geradermer

Different areas of the Ballon

It also means you are only 2hrs from the Black Forest if you want to venture into Germany also the people are soooooo much nicer

 

[Bazza]

We done Dinan in France earlier in the year, took the ferry from Poole what a great drive France is brilliant, as Grumpy said start planning

 

[Sean d]

great idea for a thread, I'm a euro novice only ever driven over there a couple of times and would love to do a trip over the water.

 

[hard top]

would love to do a trip over the water.

Do the NL cruise next year.

 

[andyglym]

Done both the ferry and the Tunnel, prefer the Tunnel even if you do have a longer drive at the other end (but that's the idea). We did the 75th Anniversary a few years ago (not in the Zed), it was manic but the atmosphere was great. Loads to see and do so start planning and booking now would be my advice. Breakdown cover and all the usual bits for the continent (Hi-Vis, bulbs, headlight deflectors etc). European maps on your SatNav if you don't have it. Gen up on the rules of the road a bit as they differ slightly but a doddle to follow. A French phrase book as trying is most appreciated and normally gets good results.

 

[mwpe]

A good idea, Normandy and Brittainy are both worth seeing. Tunnel or ferry is very much a personal choice, I have done both and much prefer the ferry as it adds to the holiday feeling but the tunnel is quicker.
I wouldn't mind visiting Normandy again but in the last three years I have become addicted to the Alps.

 

[Nodzed]

We stayed on the Normandy / Brittany border. Mont saint Michel is an absolute must and Bayeux is a lovely place, also the Tapestry, truly amazing. Omaha beach is worth a visit, nice little museum there. St Malo, you must go to St Malo.

 

[miller1098]

Love the adventure and all these ideas are great and I think it's a good idea to start slowly eastern France can be a bit tiresome to get there.ive done the Normandy beaches many times guiding on the bike and it's easy lovely roads and a lot to see.sailing from Poole to Cherbourg the beaches forts old batteries we liked st mere eglise where there's a dummy of a parachuteist hanging on the steeple on a Wednesday it's market day we stayed at Coutaunces and st lo not far from st Michel.Dont worry it's easy it's only 20 miles of water that separates us and once you are over there no borders between countries you can travel where you want easily ,freedom.

 

[katkwak]

i to have been thinking about going to see the D day beaches etc only drove over there on a bike
to Assen but would love to do 1 for my bucket list in the z. Late June early July i think is a good
idea just before the schools break up & hopefully the weathers good 3 to 5 days sounds good too
Portsmouth to St malo like that as is puts you near its about a 3 hours drive from here to Portsmouth
let me know how things go if you need any help i,l try to assist if i can
pete

 

[Grumps]

Portsmouth St Malo is a night crossing too so you can get a decent nights kip before heading off into France.

 

[billz]

I am sorry but for the cost of £400 and the 11 hour journey for the ferry i would sooner do the tunnel and drive through France to St Malo. At least you can then do a stop going down and see more of the Country and enjoy the driving experience. It is only £160 for the Tunnel return and a 6 hour drive without tolls and using tolls 4.5 hours. Cater in around £75 for a hotel and you have saved yourself around £200 JMHO

 

[Grumps]

I am sorry but for the cost of £400 and the 11 hour journey for the ferry i would sooner do the tunnel and drive through France to St Malo. At least you can then do a stop going down and see more of the Country and enjoy the driving experience. It is only £160 for the Tunnel return and a 6 hour drive without tolls and using tolls 4.5 hours. Cater in around £75 for a hotel and you have saved yourself around £200 JMHO

Yeah but the point @Tearoom Is making is that he's new to it all and doesn't want to drive the distance so surely the best advice is to get a ferry close to where he wants to visit or have I got it wrong? You've driven abroad for years Bill so your view is different to some but if he doesn't want the mileage and wants to visit Brittany and Normandy the tunnel isn't the answer. Plus the cost of fuel driving across which counteracts the cost of the ferry makes it pretty equal either way.

 

[Grumps]

It's 320 miles and a 5 hour drive from the tunnel to St Malo. So there's £160 worth of fuel return back to calais.

 

[Tearoom]

As this would be a first time driving the zed abroad, I really want to keep it as simple as possible.
I am open to going by ferry or tunnel, but I probably wouldn't wander too far from the port the other end. I was thinking of a 2-3 day trip just to get a feel for driving in another country.
I was thinking of using a base, either a guest house, hotel or rent a farm house and doing a daily run from there.
I appreciate some of you have done this before and are happier to drive longer distances, but this is a trip intended to be novice friendly.
Keep the ideas and suggestions coming as I'm enjoying reading them all and taking notes.

 

[billz]

It's 320 miles and a 5 hour drive from the tunnel to St Malo. So there's £160 worth of fuel return back to calais.

Sorry Dave but 320 miles and return trip will equate to around £120 which is 2 tanks and you are right regarding driving round Europe i have done it for years but the best way to experience driving around Europe to get accustomed to doing it is surely to drive like i say just my opinion. Otherwise all people will do is take the shortest route without driving and miss everything that is good about driving abroad

 

[billz]

If you are doing Calais then i can recommend the Ibis at St Omer. The town its self is around 40 mins from the Tunnel and very straight forward to getting there. Price around £65 to £75 per night and has a bar and is right in the Heart of the town. The town itself has some historical buildings. From there you have a straight road more or less to Reims which is just over 2 hours and you could visit the old Race course. You are also not too far from Dunkirk

 

[billz]

Calais to St Omer
St Omer to Reims doing tolls to keep it simple. 3.30hrs without

St Omer to Dunkirk

Dont stay in Calais its a s*** hole even with the Migrants removed