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Post by cannonballbob on Jan 8, 2007 21:42:08 GMT
Adrian & Dawn Tim & Liz Simon & Ann Art & Christine Colin Andie & David Bob & Kate Speedferry out early on Sept 20th, returning late Sept 25th. (taking in Reims along the way) John & Lynne Steve & Pam Kasper & Marion Keith Jerry & Diane Kenneth & Jeanette Dave and Trish Steve White (As I would most probably be on my tod, my preference is to travel in a group. ) John & Lyn Ponting (just in case there is another John & Lynne) Alistair & Carol (subject to son's graduation date etc) Daphne & Hajo Ian & Liz
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Be nice, i'm new!
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Post by on Jan 17, 2007 13:30:58 GMT
Guess I really need to start thinking about this trip...and get the crossing booked.
I've read through the thread - well.....skimmed! If I book a crossing from Dover, which is the best destination/French port considering where we need to head to? I really have no idea where to start with sorting this one out!
Adrian, do you have a 'suggested' route to get to the Natter destination? And hotels....whats the info on them, both en route and at the Natter?
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Post by John Ponting on Jan 17, 2007 16:48:17 GMT
Hi Andie
Although I've been on here a few times today, I'm not in my own office and don't have access to mapp software
When the destination is known the decision on which route (say, France or Switzerland) can be made. Then Dover to Calais, or Dunkirque or Boulogne. To be honest, they are all so close that the decision can almost be made on sailing times, prices and personal preference.
I'm almost ready to go to the Stelvio - jump leads and spare coolant cap are in the car, just need a pair of shorts and sandals and I'm ready.
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Post by Steve White on Jan 17, 2007 18:24:16 GMT
I believe the 'group' will be going Dover> Dunkerque on Norfolkline. This would suit me as they sent me a mail last week with a discount code for an offer if you before the end on Jan ;D They will also allow you to book now and change the date later if needed, so if you definitely know your going to use them once this year then its worth booking now anyway.
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Post by Adrian Clifford on Jan 17, 2007 19:23:12 GMT
Quite right, Norfolk Lines to Dunkerque will be the favoured crossing for those who are travelling as a group.
I'm still wailting for Fabio to give me his detailed plans, I can then put something together.
We will use budget (but good) hotels sucxh as Ibis or Campanile for the journey to the Turin area, where the Natter will take place.
I will make sure that we get our ferry bookings in place before the end of January to get the cheap ticket be sure of that.
I am also using Norfolk Lines for the Dutch Octarun in June and Kempenrit in July, so I'll get them all booked within the next two weeks.
I'll keep you all posted.
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Post by colintf on Jan 17, 2007 19:45:58 GMT
Thanks Adrian!! Adrian & Dawn Tim & Liz Simon & Ann Art & Christine Colin Andie & David Bob & Kate Speedferry out early on Sept 20th, returning late Sept 25th. (taking in Reims along the way) John & Lynne Steve & Pam Kasper & Marion Keith Jerry & Diane Kenneth & Jeanette Dave and Trish Steve White (As I would most probably be on my tod, my preference is to travel in a group. ) John & Lyn Ponting (just in case there is another John & Lynne) Alistair & Carol (subject to son's graduation date etc) Daphne & Hajo Ian & Liz just to tempt / tease a bit more, January's Classic Cars magazine has a picture of the Stelvio Pass, page 41. Its part of its "Bring on 2007, 22 pages of must have experiences" It's featured under "Drive the best roads" and appears to be its No 1 driving experience!! "The Stelvio is legendary, has something like 59 hairpins, takes around half an hour to climb and puts you more than a mile-and-a-half above sea level"
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Post by Adrian Clifford on Jan 17, 2007 20:20:36 GMT
That appears to be it's claim, the more you look in to it, the more exciting it becomes. Some reports say that there are two hills, both combined say there are 92 hairpin bends. It is the second highest pass, by something like 42 metres in the Alps, I believe (from memory before somebody corrects me if I'm wrong). Try here : www.adamanda.org/travel/it/98/ or here for a taste : www.hazelnet.org/stelvio/index.htm
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Post by colintf on Jan 17, 2007 21:04:06 GMT
Having looked at those pictures Adrian - one word, just one word WOW!!!
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Post by cannonballbob on Jan 20, 2007 16:20:59 GMT
I believe the 'group' will be going Dover> Dunkerque on Norfolkline. Well, one group is going that way. Plenty of other options! Come on folks, be brave and mix it up a bit, surprise others by turning up at Turin not Dover otherwise this'll be just another Treffen.
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Post by John Ponting on Jan 20, 2007 17:01:25 GMT
Adrian & Dawn Tim & Liz Simon & Ann Art & Christine Colin Andie & David Bob & Kate Speedferry out early on Sept 20th, returning late Sept 25th. (taking in Reims along the way) John & Lynne Steve & Pam Kasper & Marion Keith Jerry & Diane Kenneth & Jeanette Dave and Trish Steve White (As I would most probably be on my tod, my preference is to travel in a group. ) John & Lyn Ponting (just waiting for the Saturday night location before booking leave from work) Alistair & Carol (subject to son's graduation date etc) Daphne & Hajo Ian & Liz
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Post by Geoff F on Jan 21, 2007 17:46:09 GMT
Decisions, Decisions. I am booked Friday 14th September Eurotunnel to be in Basle Switzerland for an evening Dinner party with old friends. Tentative plans are to then pick Ann up from Zurich airport and move to Gstaad. This is 70 Miles N of St Bernard Pass which, if open, will be one of a number of good local tours. We would then move onto near Interlaken. A favourite since visiting in the late 60s and a regular when living in CH for 4 years from 1997 and visiting once or twice each year since. We did the Italian Southern Tyrol and Dolomites last year for 7 days with MGCC Switzerland hence the Stelvio and Turin has no appeal to us. The philosophy of the NtM in Monaco was The Natter in one of The Best Hotels in Europe. With this theme in mind, and agreeing with Cannonballbob that his should not be 'Another evening of the Package Tour to Italy' then how much interest is their in: The Hotel Victoria Gstaad, with an arrangement at Sport Hotel Victoria on the Main Street . The Hotel Victoria Jungfrau Interlaken with an arrangement at Hotel Silberhorn, Lauterbrunnen, south of the town. or A venue in St Moritz (not far on the return from Stelvio) but for which I would have to ask advise from Swiss friends. Geoff F.
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Post by cannonballbob on Jan 21, 2007 19:53:48 GMT
Mmmm.......St Moritz. Liking the sound of that! The idea isn't necceasrily to go up market as such, just to meet at a venue having made our various ways across Europe. But hey, if it's an exclusive venue it's harder to miss and locals are more likely to know it should you need to ask directions. Must admit Turin city centre doesn't really pop my cork but hey, I'll go with the flow. If we're voting, somewhere in the hills gets my tick. Point of order...who actually chooses?
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Post by Neil Sutton on Jan 21, 2007 20:47:02 GMT
Just one observation Turin is 217 miles from the top of the Stelvio Pass. Why are "we" thinking Turin is the place to go ? How about one of these for the Saturday night Natter (just a thought) : www.hotels.valtline.it/hotel_stelvio.htm
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Post by cannonballbob on Jan 21, 2007 21:08:10 GMT
Hotel Passo Stelvio looks like the one to me. Where Eagles Dare or what?! Nice find Neil, and it's en-route. Only problem might be snow. See photo on hotel website! Still, that could make it more fun. ;D
Joking aside, I'm quite taken by the idea of a meeting at a lodge on the pass itself. It's spectacular, very easy to find since it's on the only road over that particular hill, and it's out of the way a bit so parking won't be a city centre nightmare. And in this case it's not that expensive either. All ideal NtM ingredients.
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Post by John Ponting on Jan 21, 2007 21:36:59 GMT
so far 'Turin area' has been mentioned ... nobody has mentioned Turin town centre. Adrian has mentioned the possibility of (say) Lake Como. Let's see what Adrian puts together?
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