Sept 3rd – Sept 23rd 2006

Photo Gallery

Flight from Lutton to Torino with EasyJet – good and cheap. First major surprise – cost of hotels, which make a prolonged stay in that part of Italy prohibitive except for the very rich or frivolous.

The plan was to break ourselves in gently before tackling the Alps. So we headed south intending to double back to Turin and then to the Alps:

Day One: Turin
Day Two: Moretta
Day Three: Mondovi (Carassone)
Day Four/Five: by train to Ceva and then north to Alba, staying in Hostel in Castiglione Falletto
Day Six: We had already decided to abandon Italy because of the cost and were heading north to Pinerolo, when Colin came off his back (just outside Pancalieri) and badly bruised his groin, necessitating transport to the nearest hospital in Savigliano. the only accommodation there was in a very expensive motel (the cheapest accommodation available).

At this point I simply loose track of time. Was it two or three days we spent there, wondering if Colin would ever mange to arrange transport back to the UK under his insurance? At least the town of Savglione was very picturesque.

Finally, after several trips to the hospital and with Colin’s transport assured, the remaining five of use high-tailed it to Pinerolo.

It must be said that the scenery was beautiful, especially in the Indian Summer which that area was enjoying(?). Some of the highest temperatures for that time of year were recorded – approaching 40 C.

After a one-night stop over in Pinerolo and an excellent meal in a Chinese restaurant, we made with some relief for France, where we hoped to find more affordable prices.

So – on to Briancon via the Col at Sestriere (it was raining when we arrived). Sue enjoyed the best hot chocolate in the world.

From Briancon via the Col du Lautaret to Le Bourg d’Oisans – a relatively easily route up – 30kms or more – and then spectacular descent.

On to Vinay on the other side of Grenoble, staying in a very pleasant Chambre d’Hote in L’Albenc.

Good route to St Valier on the River Rhone . Again excellent B&B in Sarras. The plan the next day was to start heading for the Massif Central, but just as we were having our evening meal in the open air, the heavens opened and the next day was wet and dreary. Good enough excuse to get the train to Clermont Ferrand, where we spent two days (superb B&B in Mirefleurs SE of CF. The first day was an excellent tour of the area south od CF – via St Amant (where I booed ferry tickets from Roscoff to Plymouth), Olloix, St Nectaire, to the Monts Dore. The second was spent lazing around CF and visiting the cathedral after finding a Formule Un hotel close to Clermont Ferrand. Not a good day to visit the Puy de Dome because the hills were covered in mist.

And so – on by train – to Paris and Grandville. Thence to Dinan via Avranches, Ducey, Pontorson, Pleine Fougeres, Menhir de Champ-Dolent.

Dinan – Belle-Isle-en-Terre via Lamballe, St Brieuc, Guimgamp.

Belle-Isle-en-Terre to Roscoff. and ferry home.

General Comments: we made too many assumptions without checking before we left. For example, we vastly overestimated the time it would take to tour the area we had chosen in Italy. We also hadn’t checked out accommodation prices in Italy – a cardinal error. Although we saw many beautiful places en route, we could not do them justice because of the distance we had to cover and the need to move on. The Massif Central would be worth another visit using two bases, say Moulins in the north and Issoire in the south. B&B is definitely the way to do it – the quality of the accommodation is unbelievable by comparison with England, the welcome is friendly and the evening meals excellent. Similarly the area between Briancon and Le Bourg d’Oisans would be worth revisiting. This holiday has taught me that 10 – 14 days is ample for a visit to the established tourist spots in Europe. Also, one or two fixed bases would be a much cheaper option to racing from one hotel to the next.

Thank goodness the weather was fine and warm for most of the time, that there were so many beautiful places to see en route and that in spite of the problems we had we remained good friends throughout. Thanks to Sue Etheridge, Mike and Christine Hocking who were good buddies and also to Colin Burdett, who missed the greater part of the fun.