Europe Tour 2010

Day 1		Sunday 20th June

We set off just after 7.30 in the evening to drive to the Channel Tunnel. Traffic on the M40 south of Banbury was heavy due to people leaving a MotoGP event at Silverstone. This continued with holdups in several places until below High Wycombe. The M25, in contrast, was relatively peaceful. We stopped at Clackett Lane Services for refreshments and arrived at the Terminal in plenty of time for the 1.37 service to Calais.

Miles Travelled today = 185

Day 2.		Monday 21st June

From Calais we drove for about 30 minutes before stopping at the Aire de Oferkeque rest place. We had about 90 minutes rest before continuing on. As we were tired we continued to drive and rest alternatively, each sharing the driving. The traffic was horrendous around Brussels – not for roadworks, just too many vehicles. Further south there were plenty of roadworks and contraflows which slowed everything down. Eventually we arrived at Speyer and after asking directions, we found the hotel about 5.30pm. 
After booking in, we went for a walk down to the river and then round the old town. It was very attractive with tall old buildings, nice squares and wide streets like many places we have seen in Germany. We returned to the hotel for dinner and bed.

Miles Travelled today = 393			Trip miles total = 578

Day 3.		Tuesday 22nd June

We woke much refreshed and after breakfast, set off for Salzburg. It was motorway all the way with lots of roadworks again. We stopped for elevenses and later had a pleasant picnic lunch and rest. Later we stopped for a coffee nearer the border and also bought our motorway vignette for Austria. The countryside was very pleasant and increasingly mountainous as we drove nearer to the Alps. The style of building changed with chalet style houses and onion domes on the churches. We found our hotel easily and after booking in, walked to the Mirabell Gardens and then across the river into the old town. This looks very interesting and we anticipate a good day exploring tomorrow. Then we came back to the hotel for bed.

Miles travelled today = 305			Trip miles total = 833