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Euroadster ’23
  • Peter Dannock
  • Rob Dannock
  • Peter Dannock
  • Rob Dannock

Euroadster ’23

Combining a desire to travel with a passion for the world's best-selling convertible sports car, my brother and I are embarking on a ten-week journey through the United Kingdom and Europe in a Mazda MX-5. Read more
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  • Euroadster ’23
    GPX

    Day 52 - Andermatt to Zermatt

    August 7, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C

    When I first started planning for this trip, I was inspired by the roads of the Swiss Alps. The first to go on my driving wish list were the Furka Pass, Oberalp Pass, Grimsel Pass and Susten Pass, and these magnificent mountain passes were the roads we drove today.

    The weather closed in overnight, and there was snow on the higher Alps. As we approached the summit of the Oberlap Pass, snow covered the ground, and the roads became very wet. The snow was so severe on the other side of the Susten Pass that it was closed at the summit. We had to make a return trip back over the Grimsel Pass to get to Zermatt.

    I hadn't expected snow on our drive, but it was a welcome treat. It didn't stop us from getting out to take many photos. I don't think I am overstating it when I say that today was our best driving day on your to date.    Read more

  • Euroadster ’23

    Zermatt

    August 8, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Zermatt is a resort town in the Swiss Alps, famous for skiing and mountaineering. It is located at the base of the Matterhorn, one of the most iconic mountains in the world. The town is car-free, so visitors must arrive by train or electric taxi.Read more

  • Euroadster ’23

    Matterhorn

    August 8, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 4 °C

    The Matterhorn is a mountain in the Pennine Alps on the border between Switzerland and Italy. With a peak that reaches 4,478 meters (14,692 feet), it is one of the highest peaks in the Alps.

  • Euroadster ’23

    Gornergrat

    August 8, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 4 °C

    Gornergrat is a mountain peak in the Pennine Alps, located in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It is known for its panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including the Matterhorn, as well as its cogwheel train that takes visitors to the summit.Read more

  • Euroadster ’23

    Day 53 - Zermatt

    August 8, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    We started our day by jumping on the shuttle train from Tasch to Zermatt. On arrival in Zermatt, we went to the tourist information to find out where we could get the best view of the Matterhorn. There were three options, the funicular to Sunneegga (2,288 metres), the cable car to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (3,883 metres), or the train to Gornegrat (3,089 metres). It was an easy decision for acrophobes like Rob and me, we would get the train to Gornergrat.

    We were a little shocked at the price of the tickets, CHF 126.00 per person (AUD 220.00). However, we didn't come all this way not to get the best view of the Matterhorn. The Gornergrat Railway takes passengers to the summit of Gornergrat. The railway line is over nine miles long and has a track gauge of 1,000 mm. It is one of the highest open-air railway lines in Europe, with a summit station located at an altitude of 3,089 meters above sea level.

    The 360-degree view from Gornergrat offers stunning views of the Matterhorn and surrounding mountains. From this location, there were views of 29 mountains with an elevation above 4,000 metres. It is also a great starting point for hiking or mountain biking. I would love to come back here better prepared to do a few days of hiking.

    On our way down from Gornergrat, we stopped at three stations, Rotenbaden (2,815 metres), Riffelberg (2,582 metres) and Riffelalp (2,211 metres), all at an altitude that is as high or higher than Australia's highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 metres).

    It was another stunning day on tour.    Read more

  • Euroadster ’23

    Great St Bernard Pass

    August 9, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    The Great St Bernard Pass is a high mountain pass in the Western Alps, connecting Martigny in Switzerland to Aosta in north-west Italy. It was has an elevation of 2,469 metres (8,100 ft) and is well-known for its treacherous driving conditions and stunning views. The pass has been in use since ancient Roman times and is named after the nearby Great St Bernard Hospice, a famous refuge for travelers and their dogs.Read more

  • Euroadster ’23

    Chamonix

    August 9, 2023 in France ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Chamonix is a town in the French Alps known for its skiing and mountaineering. It is located near the base of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps.

  • Euroadster ’23
    GPX

    Day 54 - Zermatt to Chamonix

    August 9, 2023 in France ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    On today’s drive, we travelled through three countries. Starting in Switzerland, we left Zermatt after a hearty breakfast, stopping in Sion to do laundry. Washing our clothes on tour is a necessary chore, and the self-service laundry in Sion was well-equipped and accepts cards for payment.

    We then made our way to Aosta in Italy. But before we could get there, we had to drive over the Great Saint Bernard Pass. Actually, we didn't have to drive over the pass, as there is a Great Saint Bernard Tunnel. As much as we love the tunnels, if there is a pass to be driven over, we will always choose the pass.

    After climbing to the summit of the Great Saint Bernard Pass from the Swiss side, we were back in Italy when we started our descent as the border runs through the summit. The road on the Italian side was magnificent. Like all good pass roads, it had a lot of twists and turns, combined with the picturesque mountains. I never get tired of these roads.

    From Aosta, we drove west towards Chamonix. To get there, we would need to go through the Mont Blanc Tunnel, a road tunnel that connects France and Italy beneath the Mont Blanc mountain in the Alps. No pass option here. The tunnel is approximately 11.6 kilometres long and reaches a maximum depth of over 2,400 metres. It was opened in 1965 and is named after the highest peak in the Alps, Mont Blanc. It was a busy day for the tunnel, as it took us over one and a half hours to get through the toll gate. However, when we came out of the tunnel, we were back in France.    Read more

  • Euroadster ’23

    Interlaken

    August 10, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Interlaken is a town in the Swiss Alps. It is located between two lakes, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, hence its name. Interlaken is known for its beautiful scenery, outdoor activities, and its proximity to popular destinations like the Jungfrau region.Read more

  • Euroadster ’23
    GPX

    Day 55 - Chamonix to Interlaken

    August 10, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Today was a different type of driving day for us. Though plenty of Alps were in sight, we didn't drive over any of them. Instead, we stuck to the roads in the valleys. From Chamonix, we made our way to Geneva, home to many international organisations such as the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

    We then drove along the edge of Lake Geneva to Lausanne. It was a beautiful day, and the drive along the lake was very relaxing. From Lausanne, we stayed off the freeway, driving through an agricultural area with lots of corn and sunflowers growing in the pastures.

    Interlaken is a town in the Swiss Alps. It is located between two lakes, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, hence its name. Interlaken is known for its beautiful scenery and proximity to popular destinations in the Jungfrau region. On our way to Interlaken drove along the coast of Lake Thun.    Read more