'From Europe, with Love.' (AKA my first 6000km European road trip)

Dear CTzens,

I’m Geoff K., 28, a secondary school teacher but also full-time petrolhead, like most of you.
Perhaps you remember an article (https://www.carthrottle.com/post/nrg8966/) I wrote some time ago that was featured on the CT FB page and even turned into a video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxlN5Tb-B1A) by Alex (best day of my internet life).

I grew up in Tahiti, French Polynesia, and after living almost a decade in Europe, it’s now time for me to go back home. Before leaving, I want to fulfill a childhood dream of mine to go on a big road trip. Since I won’t be able to do just that in Tahiti (as it takes less than 2 hours to circle the entire island), Europe would be my playground.

France → Switzerland → Italy → Slovenia → Croatia → Hungary → Slovakia → Austria → Czech Republic → Germany → The Netherlands → Belgium → Luxembourg → Liechtenstein → France.

That’s 14 countries in about 6 weeks. 3700miles/6000kms, which is like circling Tahiti 50 times. I’ll leave France and head towards Italy (via Switzerland) on July 10th, just after the school year ends. I want to avoid motorways as much as possible to really see what these countries look like (because honestly, what looks like a motorway more than another motorway?)
Along my trip, I’ll try to cross some great mountain passes (Grand St Bernard, Simplon etc.), go to some famous cities in terms of car history (Turin, Modena, Stuttgart etc.)
and pay my second visit to the ‘Ring.

Now, about the car. Yes, it’s a mere Citroën Saxo. Not even the beloved 16V version. I know, not exactly the first car that comes to mind to do about 3700 miles. And not the most comfortable,
and a tad underpowered, but to be honest its rather well-sorted chassis and 900 kilos kind of makes up for it (and with only 75bhp, I’m pretty confident I won’t end up tank slapping into a wall, down a cliff, or just outside a car meet).
It is essentially a simple little car, and the driving experience is quite raw and unfiltered. There’s no ABS, no Traction Control or other superficially enhanced exhaust note (or any hideous fake exhaust tip, while I’m at it). Easy to maintain, easy to repair. I very much like the honest, WYSIWYG aspect of it, but with the added reliability that you’ll rarely find with more… vintage cars (basically, you don’t want to be stuck in Slovakia with a broken clutch).

Also, inspired by Top Gear’s India Special, I’ll have a temporary Polynesian Flag on my bonnet that will accompany me. (To the haters : it’s an old bonnet that was damaged by hail)

I’d love to show petrolheads who would like to do a road trip of their own that if a school teacher with a limited budget and a poor sense of direction (that’s what growing up on a small island does to you ^^) can do, then anyone can !

It’s the biggest trip I’ve ever done, but at the same time I realize it’s nothing extraordinary, and surely some of you have already done trips like this, so I’ll gladly listen to you tips, advice and wise words on what to do/not do, and what to see along the way.

Finally, if you guys are interested, I’ll update you on this trip once it’s completed, and give you as much info as I can to help you do yours !

Best,

Geoff K.