The Techno Classica Hinterland Escape: Three Days of Pure Driving 2023.
Day 1: Warming Up for the Weekend with a visit to Techno Classica
The day begins in the Netherlands, where the N271 offers an effortless introduction to the journey ahead. This isn’t a road that demands aggression—it rewards rhythm. Flowing alongside the Maas River, it threads through quiet villages, past tree-lined straights and gentle bends that set the tone for what’s to come. The early kilometres are about settling in, finding that balance between machine and tarmac, feeling the road beneath the tyres.
Southbound, the landscape shifts subtly as the route dips toward the border. The transition into Germany is almost imperceptible, but the roads tell a different story. Dutch smoothness gives way to German precision, and soon, the autobahn beckons. The A40 and A3 stretch ahead, carving a path through dense forests and open plains. Certain sections are derestricted, so if you wish, you can open her up and let the car stretch its legs.
Before pressing deeper into Germany, there’s an essential stop: Techno Classica in Essen. The world’s premier classic car show, it’s a pilgrimage site for enthusiasts, bringing together automotive icons from every era. Walking through the halls is like flipping through the pages of history, from pre-war legends to Group B monsters and modern hypercar rarities. For those in the know, there’s a discreet parking location nearby—an insider’s trick to avoiding the chaos while keeping the car safe.
With visions of classic metal still fresh in the mind, the road calls once more. The Rhine becomes a steady companion, and the B9 offers a change of pace, winding through vineyard-clad hills, with medieval castles standing watch from above. The road demands more now—tighter corners, sharper gradients—but the reward is in the drive itself.
The journey winds down in Overath, where we recommend staying at Kardinal Schulte Haus, a hotel set in a historic building with a relaxed atmosphere. The perfect place to unwind after a full day on the road, its basement restaurant serves an excellent Flammkuchen, best enjoyed with a cold beer as you reflect on the drive.
By the time the engines cool and the glasses empty, Day 1 has delivered exactly what it promised: a road trip in its purest form. The perfect mix of pace, flow, and anticipation for what lies ahead.
Day 2: Embracing Country Lanes and Forestry Roads
After a restful night, the journey continues with a focus on the road less traveled. Today is about discovering those winding country lanes and secluded forestry roads that rarely make it onto maps of famous driving routes, yet deliver some of the most rewarding experiences behind the wheel. The route weaves through rolling hills, dense woodlands, and sleepy villages, where each turn offers a new discovery and the absence of traffic allows for an uninterrupted connection between driver and machine.
Midway through the day, a unique detour awaits: the Feuerwehrmuseum Heiligenhaus (fw-heiligenhaus.de). It’s a perfect example of a charming, slightly eccentric museum—the kind of place that might not be world-famous, but often hides unexpected treasures. With its collection of vintage fire trucks, old uniforms, and historic firefighting equipment, it offers a surprisingly engaging step back in time. The kind of stop where you walk in out of curiosity and leave with a newfound appreciation for the subject.
Back on the road, the scenery constantly shifts—narrow lanes lined with ancient stone walls give way to tree-canopied stretches where sunlight flickers through the leaves. The kind of roads where you settle into a rhythm, carving through each bend with precision, knowing you’re in a place that few others take the time to explore.
The day ends at Hotel Stremme, a welcoming retreat that feels just right after a day of spirited driving. The real highlight? Their schnitzels—generous, crispy, and exactly what you need after carving through the countryside. A perfect end to a day dedicated to the simple joy of the drive.
Day 3: A Fitting Finale on Twisting Backroads
The final day of our journey leads us through a tapestry of scenic routes, where each mile brings new discoveries. Setting off from the peaceful surroundings of Hotel Stremme, the drive starts gently, following a mix of open country roads and narrow forest tracks. These are the kind of roads that demand attention—not because they are difficult, but because they are engaging. Tight curves, undulating terrain, and sudden bursts of visibility make it impossible to switch into autopilot.
The route weaves through the Bergisches Land, a region known for its rolling hills, winding valleys, and rewarding stretches of tarmac. Here, small L-roads thread through dense forests, their tight, flowing nature rewarding precision and rhythm. Occasional villages dot the way, their half-timbered houses standing as reminders of the region’s deep history.
As the journey continues, we approach Mettmann, home to the Neanderthal Museum (neanderthal.de). This award-winning institution offers an immersive experience into four million years of human history, answering profound questions about our origins and evolution. It’s a moment to step out of the driver’s seat and dive into something much older than any road ever built.
Not far from the museum, an entirely different piece of history emerges: the Auto-Skulpturen-Park, an open-air car sculpture park hidden in the woods. Created by classic car specialist Michael Fröhlich, this unique exhibit features 50 classic cars from 1950, carefully placed in a forested setting where nature and machine slowly become one. Unlike a scrapyard, this is something else—an eerie yet fascinating tribute to motoring’s past. Rusting classics, their bodies softened by moss and ivy, stand in silent reflection of a golden era gone by.
Back behind the wheel, the road snakes through the Neanderland countryside, a region with some of the most rewarding Kreisstraßen in western Germany. With tight, technical bends in places and long, sweeping corners in others, this stretch offers everything a driver could ask for. The combination of elevation changes and well-maintained asphalt makes for a final day of uninterrupted driving pleasure.
But the road trip isn’t over just yet. The final stop is Classic Remise Düsseldorf (remise.de), a paradise for classic car lovers housed in a beautifully restored historic roundhouse. More than just a museum, it’s a living automotive hub—featuring workshops, classic car dealerships, and glass-enclosed storage spaces where rare and exotic machines await their next drive. Walking through its halls feels like stepping into a carefully curated dream garage, making it the perfect place to reflect on the past three days of driving.
A fitting end to a journey well driven.
