[Harsh]

The 2012 Alpine Tour

Saturday 30th June - Saturday 7th July 2012
Additional option to attend Le Mans Classic


A trip everyone with petrol in their veins should take at least once in their lifetime.


Petrolhead Nirvana Alpine North Tour 2011 by Petrolhead Nirvana.com, on Flickr

We use the Black Forest as a warm up and Stelvio as a stop off point before taking you on the most amazing few days of your driving life. We’ve selected an amazing mix of passes and drivers roads which battle with the scenery for the right to take your breath away. Best of all this trip is aimed at drivers and so is open to anyone with the right attitude (no egos allowed) and a car that is fun to drive. So whether it’s an MX5, an MP4 -12C or an acronym we’ve not heard of yet you will be welcome.

For 2012 we have retained many of the old favourites from previous years and made a few changes to make the tour even better. As well as the Black Forest and Stelvio, we’ll take in the Grimsel, Susten and Furka passes, visit St Moritz and stay in Val D’Isere. drive a special stage of the Monte Carlo Rally and the highest paved pass in the Alps. On the way home the Route Napoleon will take us to Annecy and we’ll round off with a trip to the Old Grand Prix Circuit at Reims,

New for 2012 we’ve included the loan of one of our Tom Tom’s with all the routes pre loaded so getting lost and missing the best roads is not an option.

Eight days of pure driving pleasure on roads that all petrolheads dream of driving on. Doing so alongside other petrolheads whilst being looked after by tour managers who know their way around some of the best roads on the planet enhances the experience even further.


Petrolhead Nirvana Alpine North Tour 2011 by Petrolhead Nirvana.com, on Flickr


Day 1 - Saturday

Calais To Offenburg - 404 Miles

We take advantage of the efficient French autoroutes to get us as close to the action as possible on the first day. It’s an opportunity to use the supplied walkie talkies to chat and banter with your fellow tourists and get to know the other cars traveling along with you.
There’s a Shell petrol station directly opposite the hotel so you can brim your car ready for the fun on Day 2.


Day 2 - Sunday

Offenburg to Stelvio - 296 Miles

After a good nights sleep and a hearty German breakfast we head into the Black Forest sampling the roads Ducati use as their testing grounds. Then we head south into Switzerland passing Winterthur and Liechtenstein, through Davos and over the Fluelapass into Austria, before ascending the (in)famous Stelvio Pass, the third highest paved mountain pass in Europe at 2757m - at the top of which we will find our hotel for the night.


Day 3 - Monday

Stelvio to Furka - 265 Miles

Day 2 will have left you with a smile on your face, Day 3 will be a grin you can’t get rid of.
Our first "passes day", leaving Stelvio via Umbrail, then taking in Lake Livigno and St Moritz on the way to Julier Pass, followed by San Bernardino, Susten, Grimsel, finally arriving at our hotel at the foot of the Furka pass.


Petrolhead Nirvana Alpine North Tour 2011 by Petrolhead Nirvana.com, on Flickr


Day 4 - Tuesday

Furka to Val D'Isere - 240 Miles

Another "passes day", beginning with Furka, St Gotthard, and Nufenen before heading down the valley past Sion and then up over Grand St Bernard into Italy, and the Petit St Bernard into France and on to Val D'Isere and our traditional ski lodge hotel.


Day 5 - Wednesday

Val D'Isere to Col De Turini - 233 Miles

We promised fun roads on this trip and Day 5 proves that beyond all doubt. Heading away from Val D'Isere we begin the day climbing the second highest paved pass in the Alps, the Col D L'iseran (2,770), using the magnificent Col Du Galibier (2,645m) as a stepping stone to the Col De La Bonette (2,802m) which is the highest paved pass in the Alps and one of the major challenges in the Tour de France. We round off the day with the Col De Turini (1607m), Our hotel for the night sits on the summit of this challenging classic road steeped in the history of the Monte Carlo Rally.


Petrolhead Nirvana Alpine North Tour 2011 by Petrolhead Nirvana.com, on Flickr

Day 6 - Thursday

Col de Turini to Annecy - 250 Miles

We leave the Alps behind so that’s the end of the fun, right? Not a bit of it. Day 6 is all about the Route Napoleon. A mixture of long fast sweeping bends and tight twisty sections and views that will make you gasp. A truly amazing piece of tarmac. We end the day at Annecy known as the Venice of France, a beautiful town with stunning views across it’s lake to the mountains beyond.


Day 7 - Friday

Annecy to Dijon - 237 Miles

A short dash to Geneva from Annecy, and then a quick trip up the mountain (watch out for bikes - this is a biker paradise) and over the top, dropping down to Auxonne and on to Dijon.


Petrolhead Nirvana Alpine North Tour 2011 by Petrolhead Nirvana.com, on Flickr


Day 8 - Saturday

Dijon to Calais - 345 Miles

The last day of the tour, but we have saved something special for you. A trip to the old Grand Prix circuit at Reims. For so long this historic circuit and it’s outbuildings was in ruins. Now however, they are being brought back to life. We have time to stop for a photo opportunity and a quick blast down the old straight to get a sense of what it was like all those years ago. Finally we head to Calais and a sad farewell to your fellow tourists and new found friends.

We’re aware that Le Mans Classic is the weekend of 7th and 8th July.
With that in mind, the PN crew have options available for those who would like to do both.
Just give them a call and they can talk you through them.


Whats included;

Return Eurotunnel crossing.
7 nights accommodation with breakfast included.
Two experienced tour managers in two cars to lead and chase.
Loan of Tom Tom with all routes pre loaded.
Loan of powerful licensed walkie talkies.
Drivers packs with route notes, maps and useful information.


Whats not included;

lunch, dinner, drinks, tolls, fuel, personal expenses.
European breakdown cover (This is a requirement on all tours).


Costs

The price is £1199 per person
based on two people sharing a car and a twin or double room.
A £50 discount applies if you book before Christmas 2011,
making the price £1149 per person.


There is a solo driver option, which is still based on sharing a room (but it means you can hog the driving) which is £1299 per person, with the £50 discount that comes down to £1,249 before Christmas.

The booking deposit is £500 per person.

If you would like to book, please call us on 0845 838 7363.

[danny1l]

What an unbeleivable experience this must be to drive there!

[Boxer]

If anyone is interested in driving the Alps, these tours are outstanding.

[Barry]

The pics and descriptions alone make me want to do that trip. Have covered some of the proposed route previously. Magnificent roads.

[danny1l]

[QUOTE=Harsh;161739]The 2012 Alpine Tour

Saturday 30th June - Saturday 7th July 2012
Additional option to attend Le Mans Classic


I really think this is cool. So if I am from Canada, do I ship my Car to Europe? Where exactly? What are the costs of shipping? Do you have other North Americans doing this or is this just a Euro thing?

I notice that the trip brings you to Nice, France (I was there 20 years ago and loved it), then takes you back. I would prefer to stay in Nice and fly back home from there. Any issues with that?

[Harsh]

Hi Danny,

We can be pretty flexible on all of the above.
You can choose to ship your car over, or alternatively we can work on arranging a hire car of your choice which might work out cheaper and easier (far less paperwork and time related hassle)

With regard to joining and leaving us, that is also totally up to you we can work out an itinerary that suits the places you want to visit.

It might also be worthwhile having a look at some of the other tours on our site to see if anything there takes your fancy.

Petrolhead Nirvana | Driving Tours and Events Powered by Passion

Cheers