GRAND TOUR OF THE ALPS

After breakfast this morning, we will depart from Chateau de Fere and make our way east to Reims to visit the historical pit buildings and grandstand on either side of the main straight on the famous Reims Grand Prix Circuit.

The road course played host to Formula One’s French Grand Prix in the 1950s and 60s. Today, only a few buildings remain as relics of a glorious past. When standing up in the old grandstands, you can almost hear the echoes of those glorious racing cars of yesteryear.

Afterwards, we will head south into the Champagne Valley, taking some fabulous D roads as we make our way to our second overnight stop in the charming town of Beaune, the Le Cep Hotel & Spa. The great driving roads will take us through Chalons-en-Champagne, Brienne-le-Chateau, through the Parc national de Forets, skirting around Dijon, and then dropping into Beaune.

Today, you will have the opportunity to stop for lunch as you wish. We have over 220 miles to travel, and we want you to plan the day as you wish. We will suggest some lunch stops, but we don’t want to disrupt the pace you may wish to drive at to complete today’s mileage.

Tonight, we will dine at the associated Loiseau des Vignes restaurant, run by the wife of 3 Michelin star chef, Bernard Loiseau.

4h30 / 183 miles

After enjoying breakfast, we will begin our journey towards the east, leaving France and venturing into Switzerland, where we will stay for two nights at the delightful Hotel de Rougemont & Spa.

The 183-mile drive will take us along some stunning D Roads before crossing the border. Our route will take us south through Saint-Cergue, and then down a spectacular road to the north shores of Lake Geneva. From there, we will continue eastward along the lake’s northern shores, passing through Lausanne and into the foothills of the Alps.

Our hotel, which we will call home for the next two nights, is one of our favorites, offering a place to relax and unwind. It is nestled in a picturesque valley and boasts authentic Swiss architecture and art. Rougemont, the charming village in which it is located, is one of the oldest settlements in Switzerland, and it provides an opportunity to stroll around, admire the architecture, and visit its stunning church.

The evening is yours to spend at leisure, and you may dine in the hotel’s restaurant or venture into the village for a local trattoria or take a short drive to Saanen or Gstaad for an array of dining options.

Today is a day off, but there is no shortage of activities to keep you entertained.

If you prefer to stay at the hotel, you can visit the spa and enjoy some relaxation time. For the more adventurous, the surrounding area offers a range of activities within a short drive. You can go hiking or mountain biking in the Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut regional nature reserve, or try paragliding for an unforgettable experience. If you’re feeling nostalgic, the Golden Pass Belle Epoque train with its retro carriages is a romantic way to travel and will take you back to the golden age of trains.

For breathtaking views, take the Rougemont-Videmanette eight-seater gondola to the summit. It’s a short ten-minute ride but well worth the visit. If you’re up for some luxury shopping or art browsing, the glamorous ski-resort of Gstaad is just minutes away by car.

After a day of leisure, we will gather at the hotel’s restaurant for a three-course dinner in the evening. This will give us a chance to regroup and prepare for the journey ahead the next day.

After enjoying some downtime in Gstaad, we’ll spend the next 24 hours in Italy, exploring the beautiful Lake Maggiore and staying at the luxurious Villa E Palazza Aminta Hotel in Stresa.

Our journey will begin after breakfast, with a stop for morning coffee at the Automobile Club de Villars, a prestigious motoring club located in the heart of this renowned ski resort.

In the afternoon, we’ll make our way up the stunning Simplon Pass, and descend into the Val d’Ossola and follow the Toce River to Stresa, where we’ll check in at the Villa E Palazza Aminta.

This opulent hotel is a beautiful example of a Belle Epoque mansion, it has its own private beach, as well as gardens overlooking the lake. Guests can enjoy two chic restaurants and a spa set in a cave.

Tonight, we’ll dine at the hotel’s restaurant and indulge in some Italian cuisine.

4h00 / 133 miles

After enjoying breakfast with a panoramic view of the lake at the Le Isole restaurant, we will check out of Villa E Palazza Aminta and embark on a day of lake hopping in Italy before heading back into Switzerland.

Our first destination is St. Moritz, where we will spend two nights at the iconic Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski.

Driving south along the shores of Lake Maggiore, we will then head east around the outskirts of Milan before turning north to join the western shores of Lake Como.

Our drive will take us through the charming villages along the entire western flank of Lake Como, offering stunning views of the lake’s beauty.

We won’t stop for a formal lunch, but we will provide you with the opportunity to enjoy lunch on the shores of Como as you please.

We will then head northwest into Switzerland, crossing the Maloja Pass, to The Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski, which was built in 1864, and located just 3km away from the centre of St. Moritz.

Nestled away from the bustling city centre but still within easy reach, you will have the evening to yourself to dine at one of the hotel’s restaurants or explore the town centre.

3h00 / 100 miles

It’s the day you’ve been eagerly anticipating!

We’ll depart from the hotel at 9:30 am and promptly tackle the Julier Pass, before speeding north to the Albula Pass and making a coffee stop in Davos.

From there, we’ll conquer the Fluela Pass and return south to St. Moritz, covering a 100-mile journey that will take a little over three hours to complete.

If you opt out of this driving loop, you can spend your day at the hotel or explore St. Moritz and its environs.

By lunchtime, you’ll be back at the hotel, ready to unwind for the afternoon.

Later tonight, we’ll reconvene at the Grand Hotel Des Bains for dinner, preparing for tomorrow’s departure to Andermatt.

Andermatt is a picturesque town nestled in the heart of the Alps, surrounded by stunning Alpine Pass roads that include some of the most iconic and evocative passes in the world, such as Susten, Nufenen, Furka, Gotthard, Oberalp, and Grimsel. Over the next two days, you will have the opportunity to drive them all!

Today, we will drive directly to Andermatt. However, before we arrive at our hotel, we will embark on a short loop that takes us through no less than four passes. We will descend into Andermatt via the scenic Oberalp Pass, drive through the town, and then head south to drive the Gotthard Pass, Nufenen Pass, and the mighty Furka Pass.

After this incredible driving experience, we will check in to the luxurious Chedi Hotel, which is ranked among the top five hotels in Switzerland. You will have the evening free to enjoy dinner at the hotel or explore the charming town of Andermatt and dine in one of its many restaurants.

Today, get ready to explore the majestic Alpine Pass roads and experience the breathtaking scenery that surrounds Andermatt, including some of the world’s most famous and iconic passes.

Our two-hour loop will take you through James Bond’s backyard, driving on passes that will be etched in your memory forever.

We’ll start by driving the Furka Pass in the reverse direction of yesterday’s route. This was featured in Ian Flemming’s Goldfinger, and we’ll drive past some of the film’s key locations.

Next, we’ll head northwest to join the Grimsel Pass, followed by a turn east towards the Susten Pass, before returning to The Chedi for an afternoon of relaxation and dinner in their amazing restaurant.

As always, the driving loop is optional, and those who prefer to take it easy can stay at the hotel or explore the town of Andermatt. For example, you could enjoy a scenic cable car ride from the town centre up to the top of the mountain behind Andermatt, where you’ll find two coffee stops and a Michelin-starred restaurant called Gutsch.

Today marks the beginning of our journey back home from the Alps, as we make our way through the fascinating region of Alsace in France.

As we head north, we will embark on a scenic drive that takes us to our overnight destination – the exquisite Le Chenaudiere Hotel & Spa. Along the way, we will pass through the town of Mulhouse, home to one of the world’s most impressive car collections – the Musee National de l’Automobile, collection Schlumpf. This is an exceptional opportunity to witness the vast collection of cars amassed by the Schlumpf brothers, including the world’s largest Bugatti collection.

If the museum doesn’t interest you, you can head straight to the hotel. La Chenaudiere is a tranquil haven situated on a hill overlooking Colroy-la-Roche, and is an ideal location for spending our final evening together on the tour. Their spa is among the best we’ve ever seen and is worth a visit.

Later, we’ll gather for a final drink and dinner, reflecting on the fantastic few days we spent together before departing for home.

6h30 / 360 miles

After having breakfast, we will depart from the hotel and take the quickest route to the Eurotunnel in Calais for our return trip home. The drive from the Alsace to Calais is estimated to take about 6 and a half hours.

You will be booked on a Flexiplus basis, allowing you to cross back to England on the Eurotunnel’s next available train once you arrive at the terminal, without the need for a set crossing time.

If you prefer to break up your journey on the way home, please inform us and we can provide you with some hotel suggestions.