Swedish Trip in August 2007

[Pedro Fandango]

i'm afraid i'm going to have to back out as well, the bank man, he say "NOooooo"

[222s]

I can't make it either

[IC]

Des (CTCNetwork) and I spoke on the phone tonight and Des has kindly offered his expertise in helping organising the trip. Info will be posted over the next few days regarding suggested dates and proposed places of interest to visit etc. Thanks Des!

[CTCNetwork]

Hi,

So far we have the following useful info and suggestions:

Originally Posted by IC

Possible trip to Sweden in August 2007

V6 Man and I have been looking at a proposed visit to Sweden in August 2007. I have posted Rupert's thoughts here and made a comment at the bottom as we intend to work together with the support of a number of VOC members who have experience in organising such trips. These members will be mentioned and credited accordingly as the planning of the trip develops. We would greatly appreciate any support and advice from anybody that is prepared to give us advice or help in the organisation of the trip!

As you are probably aware there is a thread on the forums about a possible road-trip to an as yet undecided European destination sometime next year. The most popular option so far seems to be a trip to the Motherland to visit the Volvo Museum in Gothenberg, the shop that sells off parts from Volvo test cars (as visited by Mr LeWorthy as outlined in a Driver magazine) and the Vallakra Custom Show with maybe a trip to one of the Volvo factories if possible.

Since DFDS/Scandinavian Seaways no longer operate the route the closest we can get to Gothenberg is Stavanger in Norway, but this is still an expensive option and still leaves us with a long drive. I feel the best plan is to go Dover-Calais/Dunkirk and drive to Sweden. Since the idea was posted there has been a lot of interest in such a trip with the idea of collecting some of our European members (plus members of other fora) en-route.

Possibly something along the lines of say a Thursday meet at Dover to catch a 9am ish ferry, then a motel booking in somewhere like Bremen for Thursday night and then Gothenberg for Friday night. Saturday for the museum and shop, Sunday for the show and Monday for the factory with Mon pm left to explore locally and a Tuesday am depature for a motel in Bremen and a Wednesday pm (5pm ish) crossing back from Calais.

Judging by the response to the other thread there could be up to 30 people interested so far with the possibility of many more if such a 'package deal' could be put together. The actual travel between the booked points would be left up to the individual and would allow people to visit as much or as little of the Swedish Volvo scene as they wished. Also those who wished to drive leisurely across N Eurpoe could do so whilst those who wished to thrash across to arrive early to enjoy a few beers etc could also do so. Thus it would be an organised trip, but with flexibility for people to do as they wished within loose perameters.

The first step is to gather a rough idea of how many members would be willing to undertake such a trip so the ball can be got rolling re. negotiations with ferry and motel chains so please post a response if the idea is appealing to you!

Anyone with any further ideas feel free to shout up and offer suggestions/advice.

The trip would be sometime next August (2007) to coincide with the Vallakra show.

V6 Man

We are looking into the possibilities assisting in the organisation of such a trip and will try to get group rates for VOC members for the ferry if it is possible. There may be a possibility of getting group rates for hotels/motels that we plan to stay in on the way there and back.Thus there would be a price for a car and one passenger and a price for additional passengers for the ferry and accomodation, with VOC members getting a discount on both prices. We would like to encourage anybody that is interested in joining in what looks like a rather large Volvo convoy accross Europe to put their name down!

IC

Originally Posted by NVolvo

I badly read or you do not know the Vrom, Volvo Rendez Vous for Owners & Members?

It's maybe the most important exhibition of old Volvo. It's organize by all the swedish classic Volvo club.

Generally the program is like this,
friday, test drive of the new Volvo, visit of Torslanda plant
saturday, touristic rallye around Göteborg
sunday, public exhibition and part market in front of the Volvo Museum

I hope to see you this summer!

It's 10-12 of August, just one week before the Vallakra traffen.

www.vrom.org

pictures of the 2005 meeting
http://volvoforlife-fr.com/photos/VROM2005/page_04.htm

Originally Posted by Brian M

A Swedish contact has given me this link showing the dates of the Vallakra meeting as the 18/19th August 2007.

http://www.vallakratraffen.com/

Depending on work commitments, I would like to make the trip in the Amazon with the Safari.

So come on James, get your Carlight finished and we could make a classic caravan/Volvo convoy of our own!

Any other Amazons up for the trip?

The Vallakra Meet is 18/19 August.
The VROM Meet/Weekend is 10-12 August.
There was also mentioned the Volvo Museum. More details or possible weekend opening to come. Can be tied in with VROM - or not...

So, whan needs to be resolved is which event is to be visited.
This is lilely to be a long drive up for a weekend and the return journey.

What I would like to do is establish a common "reference point" as it were.
Where are we going? When do we leave? What route to the destination? What stop-over location do we use?
I am thinking that this common departure can therefore be a "springboard for us all to "go somewhere" and Meet up".
Then, it us up to individuals to decide on their continued course of actions.
Whether this be continuing to holiday in Sweden, return to the Uk or travel to Germany/Italy/Russia/whatever...

In this respect, the advantage of the VROM weekend would be that those wishing to stay for the Vallakra weekend can do so.
Focusing on Vallakra almost excludes VROM, not the Volvo Museum/Factory etc.

Can I have some feedback regarding this please as numbers seem to be diminishing rapidly ( ) and time is of the essence.

Thanks,

Des. . .

[Velorum]

I like the sound of the VROM weekend but will still be up for going if the majority favour the other option.

[CTCNetwork]

Hi,

Originally Posted by Ian Hutchinson

I like the sound of the VROM weekend but will still be up for going if the majority favour the other option.

Good question Ian.
Personally, I prefer the VROM weekend as that is earlier and allows me to continue to Germany after..

Remember that there is a 2 day journey there and 2 days back. A long journey for a short visit. Not that that would put me off either.
However, some of us may want to spend more time dedicated to this visit. A holiday of 2 weeks, and take in other sights etc...

Also, once there, I think it reasonable to let the group "split up" to let people do what they want to do...

The advantage of VROM is also proximity to the Volvo Museum and factory..

Des. . .

[Chris_C]

Des, I'm potentially still keen, really depends on the finances, and how much I've forgotten I need to throw at my engine bay over the next 2 months! I'll watch this thread, but probably safest to assume I won't be able to do it for the purpose's of numbers.

Sorry for the less that usefull reply!

[CTCNetwork]

Hi,

A bit of entheusiasm would not go amiss here folks..

Des. . .

[TJMurphy]

August is our busy time at work so I've not responded before. I'd be up for it if the dates worked but at the moment I'm not sure what you're all proposing so I've not replied before.

Maybe someone could close the thread and start again or at least put a summary of the current options somewhere for those of us trying to catch up?

Thanks
Tony

[Brian M]

Des

I will be taking my Amazon and Caravan so my ideal leisurely trip may differ from those of you with modern chipped and injected Volvos! You can give me a toot as you roar past!

I live in Essex so my plan is:

(mileages from viamichelin)

8 Aug 02.00 ferry Norfolk Line Dover Dunkerque £83.00 (just car and two adults £28.00 yes £28.00!)
8-10 Aug drive to Goteborg, (840m from Dunkerque)
11 Aug VROM - Rally round Goteburg
12 Aug VROM - Show outside Volvo Museum
13-16 Aug - Volvo museum, Volvo factory visit, general sightseeing, visiting a friend. (can be done in any order)
17 Aug - drive to Vallakkra (140m)
18-19 Aug Vallakkra meeting
20-22 - back to Dunkirk (23/8/07 02.01 crossing Norfolk Line same prices as above)

Total mileage home to home 1880, petrol costs estimated £400
Tolls £45
Crossing £166 (car + caravan)
Campsites £150
Total £761 (excluding food, drink)

The VROM website says their factory visit on 10 Aug is fully booked.
Does anyone know if the factory tour is available to individuals or only to groups? And which is the best factory to visit?

I would be interested in knowing where others will be staying en route so I could perhaps join them for an evening meal.