Road Trip From The UK To Germany

Embarking on a road trip is an exceptional method to discover a new locality. It allows for an extensive exploration beyond the conventional routes, providing the liberty to tailor the journey according to personal preferences.

This was the principal motivation for my enthusiasm to undertake a summer road trip to Germany from the U.K.

Conventionally, we would opt for a flight from London to Germany; however, after an exhilarating drive from the UK to Austria for a festival earlier that year, it became evident how accessible it is to drive from here, and also the abundant enjoyment that can be derived from travel via this mode.

The initial proposition was to rent a vehicle in London, take a ferry from the south of England (specifically Dover), and drive to and from. However, owing to last-minute plans that required us to be in the north, we had to revise the first segment of our itinerary.

Fortunately, several options are available for ferry transit to mainland Europe, along with selections for car pick-up and drop-off at various locations. Thus, we opted to board the DFDS ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam, securing a rental car in Newcastle with a return drop-off in London. Convenient!

While traversing down from Scotland, we spent the night at Roomzzz Hotel in Newcastle, impressed by the spacious accommodations, reminiscent of my previous experience at their Manchester location on route to Hawaii; they tend to resemble apartments more than traditional hotel rooms.

Following a delightful dinner and a restorative night’s rest, we made our way to board the DFDS ferry to Amsterdam. The overnight ferry from Newcastle essentially resembles a mini cruise, an experience we decided to fully enjoy.

I opted for the Commodore Deluxe cabins, which include access to the Commodore Deluxe lounge, a space featuring an array of snacks and beverages throughout your stay, an added benefit.

We were pleasantly surprised by the ample space on board.

The experience was exceptional—the on-board breakfast ensured that we arrived in Amsterdam not only well-rested but also well-fed.

Upon our arrival, we made a quick stop to explore the charming Dutch town of Zaandam, before continuing our journey towards Nurburgring in Germany—a destination quite distinct from our conventional travel plans, largely due to my inquisitiveness.

Nurburgring is renowned as a historic Formula 1 racing venue and holds iconic status. A fellow traveler had mentioned it prior to our departure, making the visit utterly compelling. Given that Germany is famous for its automotive excellence—with brands such as BMW and Mercedes Benz coming to mind—it was logical to immerse ourselves fully in all things German during this excursion.

The remainder of our time was dedicated to discovering splendid castles, exquisite vineyards, and other aspects of travel in Germany that I genuinely cherish. Therefore, this presented an exceptional opportunity to incorporate something thrilling and unique.

Fortunately, our visit coincided with the Formula Truck event, providing a wealth of activities and sights during our stay.

Nevertheless, the highlight was the chance to experience the legendary Nordschleife racing course—a track where numerous Formula 1 legends have established their careers. We were booked to take a lap around the circuit at speeds we had never before experienced (and likely wouldn’t have found elsewhere).

No need for concern—neither my companion nor I would be at the wheel. A professional race driver guides you around the track, skilled in navigating its intricacies for maximum velocity. While self-driving is an option, the speed and unfamiliarity of the terrain are beyond my expertise.

Upon our arrival at the hotel, we proceeded to get fitted for our racing suits in preparation for our track time the following day. Additionally, we assessed the remarkable Green Beast—a Mercedes Benz vehicle purpose-built for the Nordschleife, which we would be navigating.

With our racing suits fitted and flexibility in our schedule, we opted to engage in some Go-Kart racing to ramp up our enthusiasm for the following day’s activities.

The Go-Karts are all powered by electricity yet surprisingly fast; I remain astonished by how powerful Electric Vehicles can be.

Racing the Go-Karts was immensely enjoyable, though I admit that Lloyd exhibits superior skill! I experienced a series of spins via sharp turns and ultimately finished last throughout all attempts.

Ultimately, we recognized the need to conclude the day—after a quick meal as lunch was somewhat rushed. Fortunately, adjacent to our hotel was the Bitburger Gasthaus, serving traditional German dishes.

Lloyd opted for the Schnitzel (which has Austrian origins), while I chose steak and chips (a dish whose culinary association is universally vague 😆). Dessert featured one of my favorites, Kaiserschmarrn (also Austrian in origin).

With that, it was time to embrace the day, eagerly anticipating the adrenaline-pumping excitement that the following day promised.