Summits Safari - Alps & Dolomites Tour 2024
Wednesday 11th September | 7-hour drive 730km: If you didn’t enjoy a pre-event night at the hotel close to the tunnel, you will meet up with your fellow petrol heads at the Flexi ticket cafe, where you can stock up on some free proper road trip food from the cafe, before we embark on a thrilling road trip across the Alps and the Dolomites. The long transit day is punctuated after 3 hours on the road with a visit to the historic Reims race circuit, which echoes the glory days of motorsport and offers the first opportunity for a group shot. The road then leads you to the exquisite Roomers Hotel in Baden Baden, a destination blending luxury and sophistication.
Thursday 12th September | 6-hour drive 375km: Next on the itinerary is an adrenaline-fueled drive along the iconic B500, renowned for its breathtaking scenery. The route snakes through captivating landscapes and small villages, offering a chilled driving experience to enjoy, ahead of the adrenalin rush summit further down the road when we reach the first of the true passes, the Oberalp pass! Leaving the first true pass you will park up in Andermatt underneath our hotel for the night, the Radisson Blu. If Carlsberg did car parks this would be it, true 5* parking for your supercar!
Friday 13th September | 6 1/2 -hour drive 375km: Whilst Friday the 13th may be unlucky for some, for you luck is on your side! This is going to be one incredible Summit Safari. Yes it will be long, but the journey will stimulate every sense in your body along the way as it includes some very famous passes that will certainly get your heart racing and have the memory banks on overload!
The day will kick off with the infamous Andermatt Loop, a 130km stretch, that is a masterpiece of Swiss roads adorned with some of the most captivating mountain views, and includes the famous Hotel Belvédère where we will do our best to get a group shot for you to remind yourself of today! Departing from Andermatt, the journey ventures towards St Moritz, Switzerland’s glamorous resort town, navigating through no less than 6 more awe-inspiring Swiss passes. The route is a symphony of twists and turns, promising a driving experience that will linger in the memory forever and you can begin the post-drive chat on arrival at the stunning ‘Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski!’
Saturday 14th September | 5 1/2 hour drive 250km: Leaving the beauty of St Moritz behind us, the road trip takes on the challenge of the legendary Stelvio Pass, a meandering ribbon of asphalt that tests both skill and nerves. Yes, it is not an early morning drive up the mountain, but tbh this pass for us is best enjoyed at a 6/10th’s pace so you can absorb the stunning views. Having conquered this iconic pass on the edge of the Dolomites you will be heading through many more ski resorts before a well-deserved retreat at the opulent Lefay Resort in Pinzolo, a suite-only hotel that is a haven of elegance and comfort for you to enjoy for the next 2 nights.
Sunday 15th September | 5 1/2 hour drive 375km: As the journey progresses, the heart of the Dolomites beckons with its fascinating mountain passes, each revealing a unique charm. Passo Pordoi and Passo Sella are two of the more famous passes found in the Dolomites, with a rich history of rallying on the Pordoi, and whilst we won’t be rallying on them today, you will still get to enjoy them equally as much! As you return to the lap of luxury at Lefay for a second night, your passenger may wish to unwind and relish the beauty that is the Lefay Resort, which will certainly create some lasting memories equally as much as those created on the road!
Monday 16th September | 5 hour drive 377km: Leaving the Dolomites in the rear view mirror, it will be a mixed day of driving heading West back into the Alps. You will enjoy a drive past the famous Lake Garda before embracing the Italian drivers on the Autostrada around Milan, ensuring we reach the penultimate hotel of the tour in plenty of time. Immersed in the suggestive setting of Saint-Vincent and surrounded by the disarming beauty of the the stunning Aosta Valley, Grand Hotel Billia combines design and elegance with some fantastic spa facilities for you to enjoy before a group dinner and possibly a flutter at the onsite casino.
Tuesday 17th September | 6 1/2 hour drive 342km: The homeward journey begins in the scenic Aosta Valley, a picturesque landscape that leads us out of Saint-Vincent on a final day of fun. The road that weaves towards Annecy, a charming town nestled by the lake includes some fantastic roads and stunning views, the Col du Grand St-Bernard & Col du Petit St Bernard along with some lesser known passes offer a great finale to your week in the mountains. Hotel Rivage, La Dolce Vita on the shores of Lake Annecy will be your home for the final night and offers the perfect place for you to enjoy a final group dinner whilst taking in the beauty that is, Lake Annecy.
Wednesday 18th September: Following some final farewells at breakfast it will be your decision on how to make your way home. Whether you stay in Annecy for a couple more days to unwind, or start your journey north with a few more stopovers and maybe collect some of your favourite wine on route, it’s entirely up to you on how you will leave this Alps road trip in 2024.
