France's Best Kept Car Secret... [VLOG]

[@yvesklein669]

Boy! So many parts of the U.S. could benefit from high speed rails. Finally, construction is underway for one in northern California. People have been wanting them in the U.S. since the technology was conceived. The wife and I always wished for one when we lived in Las Vegas. Many people travel between Las Vegas and the Los Angels area, because it's roughly a 4hr drive with normal traffic, but driving into Las Vegas from L.A., on a Friday afternoon, is PURE HELL! Anyway, I hope the three of you will have a great holiday!

[@harewood1988]

Thanks Pete, never knew that was even an option you have just save me tons of mileage driving to Monaco

[@PetrolPed]

Yep. Let me know how you get on !

[@iansneddon74]

That was very interesting. Thanks for your time and effort to share this with us. Happy hols.

[@PetrolPed]

My pleasure Ian. We can never understand why more people haven't heard of it !

[@ginggur17]

Loved the look you gave from the passenger seat as ya went into the tunnel lol. Drove up from Monaco in the lorries in 2007. Great scenery.

[@PetrolPed]

Bloody hilly :-)

[@ginggur17]

Petrol Ped the climb out of Monaco pulling the formula one camera gear defo made the trucks struggle the most! They were Mercs though lol!

[@cocodonkey]

Great tip regarding the toll booth transponder. Used it on a months trip around France last summer, Great channel

[@johnevans6474]

Tunnel after tunnel after tunnel,, been there done that. New to your site, but enjoying every episode.

[@PetrolPed]

Welcome to the channel and great to hear you are liking what you find. It is a spectacular past of the world. When we drove back into France the following week we drive over the flyover near Gerona just a couple of hours before it collapsed 😂

[@1982paul100]

Brilliant video......Ive got an elderly Renault Clio which I would love to take to the south of France but don't want to risk hours and hours of motorway driving and traffic jams! Must give this a try! Love Petrol pooch too!! 👍

[@PetrolPed]

Highly recommended 👍

[@skithewhitestuff]

Love it. Great idea to shorten the driving time. I obviously love driving but my wife isn’t a fan so I do it all, and we drive to the south of Spain three times a year. By taking the ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao or Santander makes it a pleasure rather than a long slog all the way through France and then Spain. We also take our little pouch with us in one of the ‘pet friendly cabins’.

[@PetrolPed]

It's great having the pup come along too 👍

[@rolexkings7747]

might consider the overnight train next time Pete..we did the tour of Italy last year in our S4 Avant and visited Potofino - lovely place.

[@PetrolPed]

Portafino was lovely. We had a great lunch there :-)

[@darrenhillman8396]

Great vlog, Peter. Enjoy your hols!

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers Darren :-)

[@SennaF1]

Fantastic way to travel Peter. Perfect balance between train and motorway. 👌👍

[@PetrolPed]

Indeed :-)

[@ScepticFrog]

Brilliant, makes me want to go now! Definitely on my bucket list. But Ped, tunnels! Missed a trick there! On your way back, let's hear the V6 sing! Get that window open :-)

[@PetrolPed]

Sorry mate....bad form from me ;-)

[@fallen4u248]

SNCF (French Railways) used to offer an all-year-round Auto-train service from Paris to Avignon, Marseille, Toulon, St Raphael, Nice. However, Auto-Train was discontinued completely from December 2019...

[@PetrolPed]

I know. Such a shame 😢

[@powellj27]

Looks great. Mind you, driving an Audi that distance would be fun and relaxing, not sure I would have the same experience, however I might mention this to the other half and see if we can do something like this for a holiday next year.

[@PetrolPed]

Give it a go. Highly recommended :-)

[@davidfraser9365]

Now that is the smart way to the South of France. Guess that extending to Nice is more expensive due to hôtel costs. Thanks for this 👍

[@PetrolPed]

There would be a slight increase in the cost of the train, but I don't think the hotel is going to be that much different :-)

[@19markz67]

Enjoyed this video. Looks like fun. I had no idea you could do this.

[@PetrolPed]

Exactly, We've been doing it for the past 6 years and still amazed when we tell friends and they haven't heard about it :-)

[@philipparkes5079]

Hi Ped Another very interesting video. Interesting to compare our experience a few years ago with the Morgan Plus 8 when we decided to go Motor Rail from Calais to Freujus on route to St Maxime/St Tropez. Absolute disaster, we travelled with the car, 1950,s rolling stock, no restaurant facilities,and no sleep! To add insult to injury car dropped at Avignon not Nice. Tried the return trip following year Nice to Calais and vowed never again. Guess things appear to have improved in the meantime.Great to see Petrol Pooch back on camera, send her our love.

[@PetrolPed]

Hi Mate. The Motor Rail service doesn't run anymore. By the sounds of it that is a good thing ! The only thing with the Autotrain is that you don't travel with you car and have to wait until the next day to collect it, but that just gives you and excuse to have an evening out in France :-)

[@PaulStanton-d7u]

Would love to try this-want to take my ancient (but very well loved) Clio to the south of France!

[@PetrolPed]

Sadly it does exist anymore 😢

[@PaulStanton-d7u]

@@PetrolPed such a shame! Looks a perfect way to get my elderly Clio to the south of France! Would love a photo of it outside a Monaco casino!

[@jonscoupe]

Brilliant Peter. Been thinking about taking a spin in the SLK down to Monaco, but long drive from Calais and not much better by ferry to Santander, so this is brilliant. I'll be looking into this 😀. Cheers, Jon.

[@PetrolPed]

Cant recommend it highly enough. If you've got any questions just ask. The phone line is English speaking and they are super helpful 👍

[@JDSFLA]

Really enjoyed the travel log. I once took the auto-train from Florida to Virginia and it was terribly slow. The TGV (Tres Grand Vitesse) seems so much better. Lovely countryside and cities along your trip refreshes my memories, plus Petrol Pouch is so cute and well behaved. Enjoy your vacation and thanks for sharing it.

[@PetrolPed]

My pleasure Chester. The Pooch is so well traveled, she just loves it !

[@Mayso1]

Pete, this VLOG was informative, interesting and great to pass on some travelling ideas. These are always welcome. Have a fab holiday. Very envious. We are travelling down the west coast in September on our ‘MINI’ adventure in the JCW as far as Biarritz 😎

[@PetrolPed]

That sounds fab. Have a great time :-)

[@ginggur17]

We have checked the links, well, Kate has lol. Thanks as always. Did see a wheel change, hope ya got it sorted.

[@PetrolPed]

Tyres ordered from Pirelli. Being fitted on Wednesday 👍

[@ginggur17]

Way to go pal.

[@chrissharman9169]

Great vid Pete with some top travel tips. Will def give them a go at some point. Cheers!!

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers Chris :-)

[@raymondhunt6109]

Looks great in Italy, will be cruising next year to the Med and one of the stops is Genoa which must be near Ropelo,have a great holiday look forward to part 2.

[@PetrolPed]

It is indeed, we drove past it on the way :-)

[@5mjc]

Don’t forget to get your headlight beam stickers on and a UK sticker.

[@neilbarden9430]

Loved it, really got me in the mood for our own MINI Euro road trip in September. 2 x GP2s and a JCW down to Northern Italy. Portofino and Rapallo are on the list!

[@PetrolPed]

They are both great :-)

[@ronmccullock1407]

Superb video and a nice journey

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed coming along for the ride :-)

[@ginggur17]

Just a vague reference, love the music as you were heading to Folkestone.

[@PetrolPed]

Not often someone like my music choice ;-)

[@m2kev789]

Our favorite country, Italy, and has some great drives too - enjoy! 👍😊

[@PetrolPed]

It sure does :-)

[@garethhopkins1523]

This is really useful for a planned trip to Menorca Vía Toulon , worth checking out 👍

[@PetrolPed]

Sadly SNCF have canned it due to cost cuts 😢

[@garethhopkins1523]

Petrol Ped so I see www.railtravelshop.com/motorail/france/paris-avignon

[@julianadams2206]

Hey Peter, Very interesting video as we have just returned from a return drive to Bezier clocking up 1750 miles in total. Traffic on the autoroute near to Lyon absolutely awful. Your alternative means of getting to the south of France was thought provoking for future holiday plans. Have a great holiday. P.s Loving my new (old 2005) SLK 55 AMG.

[@PetrolPed]

You bypass all of that rubbish :-) I love the SLK55 !

[@julianadams2206]

Glad to hear that you approve of the SLK 55. Hope you have a great holiday.

[@pavsingh2221]

Love your vlogs!

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers Pav 👍

[@finlaydownham-white6823]

Nice stuff, really interesting. Good ol relaxed and information video 👍

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers Buddy :-)

[@ginggur17]

Hello pal. A road trip is something we fancy doing at some point.

[@RogerBaileyOnCars]

thats an interesting tip Pete, hope your having a great hol !

[@PetrolPed]

We are indeed mate 👍

[@cannonball9478]

Love your dog 🐕:-) great guide, cheers

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks Alex...the Petrol Pooch is the real star of the channel. That is until the Petrol Pup arrived 😜

[@PetrolHeadsLdn]

It’s a great idea. I’m taking my bike on one from Germany. Watch out vlog inbound :)

[@sarcodiauk2921]

Have a good holiday 👍

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks. We are having a lovely time :-)

[@conkgord]

Hope the 3 of you’s enjoy the holiday.

[@PetrolPed]

We are thanks...having a lovely time :-)

[@robinpratt1541]

Really helpful video and enjoyable also!

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers Robin :-)

[@andrewstevenson9747]

Nice Video Pete, some really interesting stuff there. I want to do a road trip when I get my Aston in the new year but I might do the TGV/Auto Tran short cut to keep my mileage down.

[@PetrolPed]

Exactly what it's great for :-)

[@andrewstevenson9747]

Petrol Ped I'll love to drive it but lets not depreciate the car too much but save it for the mountains and tunnels...😜

[@evildiesel7850]

That is a great solution. I have just got back on Friday from Tours and driving on the French side is rather pleasurable - three and a half hours from Le Mans to Calais. All the trouble I had on the way back was from Folkstone to North London - two and a half hours with the bulk of it on the M25. With that fiasco in mind, wouldn't want to drive much further south given the potential nightmare on the UK side on the way back if taken in one hit. What did you make of Rapallo btw? I went there in 2004 a bit off season and wasn't much taken with it. Santa Margherita was far nicer as I recall. Nice walk up to Portofino though and I fondly remember the Cinque Terre walk although it nearly killed me.

[@PetrolPed]

Two weeks of driving n France and Italy and the first traffic jam was when we got back to Folkstone :-) Rapello was OK, but I agree the Santa Margherita was much nicer :-)

[@bikerman6907]

This vid is gold!!👍👏😎🐕😀

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks. Glad you think so 👍

[@HawkMillFarm]

Nice informative video.

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers. Glad you enjoyed it :-)

[@lovecarsTV]

Only watched as thought you were driving the new Ferrari. Didn’t realise you were going to Portofino for a holiday 😜

[@PetrolPed]

Maybe we can do a Portafino video once Ferrari think you are as big as Shmee ;-)

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

Oh! An S4!!?? Damn. I honestly thought you said F4 in your last video :-(( My Bad... Still like the view from the back of your mega yacht though. Enjoy your holiday mate and have a great time. EDIT - I've just listened to your video from Wednesday. @4:30 seconds, I'm still sure you say F4 and NOT S4?

[@PetrolPed]

LOL...will you ever let me forget that ;-)

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

PP - Well... I don't know about that? But as you're a good lad, I'll let you off. However, it's not for me not wanting to forget, but as I'm old... I just will. However, you have to keep up your great work on YT videos and keep bringing us great content or I just might remember. :-)) EDIT - FYI - I just brought the missus a 40k mile Daihatsu Copen :-))

[@simonworsley8551]

I drove from Norwich in Norfolk to Denia in Spain in one hit, only stopping for fuel for the car, my mate and I. Boy I was knackered after that. 3,300 miles in 10 days. :) One thing I did notice is that many french motorists kept their left signal on when in the outside lane of the autoroutes. Any idea why?

[@PetrolPed]

Big trip that ! The signal is a way of telling you to get back in the loser lane and let them by :-)

[@nashrace]

Great video. Question; Can you leave your luggage in the car when you put it on the train? So you just need an overnight bag for your hotel?! Many thanks for this Mrs Nashrace is VERY interested in this too. Good job Sir!

[@PetrolPed]

Yep, absolutely 👍 We just pack a small bag for our overnight stop. The only restriction is they don't take SUVs and I'm not sure about roof boxes.

[@nashrace]

Petrol Ped thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Bugger about the SUV. I have a Q5 😒

[@blackflagpirate3444]

Very nice place Italy mate.Its on my bucket list.Did you do some gladiatorial fighting when you get there 😆

[@PetrolPed]

No, just relaxation and lots of food !

[@blackflagpirate3444]

Petrol Ped Fine wine and pizza 😋

[@garys4756]

I've been looking online for the autotrain services but they've been scrapped at the end of 2019.

[@PetrolPed]

OMG...I didn't know this. VERY sad 😪

[@k15821]

How do you book the auto train? As I was wondering how to book it?

[@PetrolPed]

Google AutoTrain and there is a UK number you can call. They speak English and will also book the TGV for you 👍

[@andreyzamytskyy]

eh... with all the money & time involved why not just fly & rent something tasty through Avis Prestige... That's what we do. Holiday starts 3 hours after leaving the house..

[@PetrolPed]

We would do that but as you can see we bring the dog on holiday so can't fly 😉

[@andreyzamytskyy]

Petrol Ped gosh... Didn't realise owning a dog has that big of an impact.. My girlfriend is about to get one for us.. Gulp.

[@PetrolPed]

No mate, it makes that holiday having them with you. They can go everywhere with you in France :-)

[@peterkirton4580]

Your first ride in the Vrs Peter?

[@PetrolPed]

It was my second but I was impressed. Nice looking car :-)

[@johnevans6474]

We’re both lucky our names weren’t on that list! (Bridge collapse in Italy)

[@PetrolPed]

Drove over it just a few hours before the collapse when returning to France the week after filming this 😮

[@ginggur17]

Could you possibly send me details through my Facebook messenger how you get the toll zapper please? Will be handy to know. Also that bit with the car from Paris. Looks a great way. Even if it costs 200 to have car transported, will still be as cheap as driving the RS-6, if it ever happens lol!! No rush pal at all. Thanks as always Peter. Continue to have a blast guys.

[@PetrolPed]

I put the link to the toll tag in the video description. But here you go... www.saneftolling.co.uk/ It's so easy and makes travelling on the Autoroute a piece of pee :-)

[@rolonow12]

Its now Emovis, link here ..... www.emovis-tag.co.uk/faq/

[@andrewstevenson9747]

Pete, are you aware the French have closed the AutoTrain down completely. It is no more.

[@PetrolPed]

Yes. Such a sad decision. Covid didn’t help but it will be sadly missed 😢

[@stuartfinch7063]

👍🏻