Driving from the UK to Italy in August....Travel Tips Sought

[trousers]

Greetings fellow forum stalwarts,

 

6 of us are driving down to Italy in August for our 2 week summer holiday. The first week we are staying 50 ish miles north of Rome (near Viterbo) and the second week we are staying 60 ish miles south of Naples (near Sassano).

 

On the way down we've got an overnight stay in Switzerland for the outbound and return trips (Luzerne and Lugano respectively).

 

Anyone got any travel tips for the journey? (e.g. routes to avoid, driving tips, etc). I've done plenty of driving around France, Germany and Denmark but never Italy.

 

Also, any tips for places to visit whilst there (the obvious Rome and Naples/Pompeii tourist traps aside)?

 

Cheers me dears,

Lord Trousers and family

[scotty]

Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to drive through Naples. I've driven in plenty of places abroad, Paris is ok despite its reputation, Madrid wasn't much fun but Naples tops the lot for pure unmitigated sweaty-palmed terror. It is horrendous. You can skirt round it on the motorway, what you lose in mileage you'll get back in survival chances and sanity.

[buctootim]

Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to drive through Naples. I've driven in plenty of places abroad, Paris is ok despite its reputation, Madrid wasn't much fun but Naples tops the lot for pure unmitigated sweaty-palmed terror. It is horrendous. You can skirt round it on the motorway, what you lose in mileage you'll get back in survival chances and sanity.

 

Lol. Its pretty true, but I actually ended up enjoying the drive in the end for its comedy value. Dodgems and triple parking.

[trousers]

Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to drive through Naples. I've driven in plenty of places abroad, Paris is ok despite its reputation, Madrid wasn't much fun but Naples tops the lot for pure unmitigated sweaty-palmed terror. It is horrendous. You can skirt round it on the motorway, what you lose in mileage you'll get back in survival chances and sanity.

 

Cheers - yep, I've read some similar hairy stories about avoiding Italian city centres in general. The Italian owners of the house we are staying in north of Rome have told us we shoud drive 15kms to the nearest mainline station and get a train into the city from there.

 

I went to a conference in Rome in the late 90s and our hotel was up on one of the hills surrounding the city. I remember 4 if us getting a cab back up to the hotel one evening - the time of day where they turned all the traffic lights at cross roads to flashing orange rather than red/green - and we literally feared for our lives with the speed that the taxi driver went through these junctions. I'm sure they knew what they were doing and had a mutual understanding with their fellow drivers but we didn't know whether to laugh or cry (one chap ended up doing both!).

[buctootim]

Hotel du Lac in Varenna on Lake Como is beautiful. Both hotel and village are great. Stay here in Tuscany near Florence http://lnx.petrognano.com/ - fantastic wines and olives grown on the estate, great people and food in the farmhouse kitchen for guests. Pompeii and Herculaneum are far better (and bigger) than I expected. Sorrento and the Amalfi coast drive are both must do's - though will be very busy that time of year.

 

I tried to find the road up to the summit of Vesuvius and was flummoxed by people who take down official signs and put up others to point the way to their restaurant or bar named Vesuvius. Get a sat nav.

Edited 26 June, 2012 by buctootim

[CB Saint]

Herculeneum near pompeii - roman ruins of a town flatten by Versuvus. You get a much better idea of roman life and much fewer people. The almalfi coast is beautiful, lots of small towns to while away an afternoon in.

 

When you are down that way, make sure you try limoncello. The area is renowned for it.

[jasonb]

I'm driving down to Treporti, Venice in August and will be doing the tolls through France on the way out (for speed) and stopping just before the Swiss border over night then onto Venice via Gotthard tunnel and Milan onto the autostraders.

 

On the return I have a bit more time so am planning to come back via Munich and thus avoid the expensive tolls through France.

 

A fair bit of driving considering I have to get down from Manchester first via So'ton (my mum and dad are dog sitting for us) but I'm looking forward to it. Unlike the OP I haven't got a great deal of Euro driving experience other than France a little bit. Apprehensive but excited.

 

I'm finding Google maps an excellent way of planning our route and the search nearby 'right-click' context menu feature is great for finding hotels/campsites near to where ever you 'right-click'. I've basically done this to locate stop-offs along the way.

[buctootim]

I'm driving down to Treporti, Venice in August and will be doing the tolls through France on the way out (for speed) and stopping just before the Swiss border over night then onto Venice via Gotthard tunnel and Milan onto the autostraders.

 

Consider doing the Gotthard pass (Tremola) instead of the tunnel. Its slower but much more scenic and enjoyable (if you dont mind switchback roads).

[suewhistle]

If you're coming via Luzern you'll be further east than me: I'll be heading back via the Great St Bernard, Lausanne then eastern France, but wave if you see a Fabia coming the other way with a Saints sticker in the back window. Might have had a GSB tunnel ticket you could have used as I won't have used all the abbonnement and it expires on the 17/08.

 

I don't drive in big Italian cities, although Torino isn't too bad, but I have to say I admire my dad now: as a kid we had 7 years in Rome with no accidents! When we take a couple of mini-buses to our away games there's one driver I point blank refuse to drive with! Just assume people are going to be stupid and you'll be fine. Instinct says that the idiot behind you is going to overtake on that blind bend, and instinct proves correct...That said you'll also get the old guy in old model Fiat Pandas who pootle along at 40 (K!) regardless. He could well have been on the grappa - lots more drink driving here.

 

DO watch out for no-traffic zones in city centres/ centro storico etc. Don't follow anyone willy-nilly as they may be a taxi-driver or local resident with permission, but the fine _will_ eventually catch up with you. They do seem to be remarkably efficient for some things! Watch your speed in border areas: I know our local favourite spots with the Carabinieri but each border crossing area will no doubt have theirs..

 

Lago di Vico and Orvieto might be good places to visit; haven't been for years, but there are some interesting wines around Orvieto and a lovely cathedral. Actually interesting wines everywhere but it can take a bit of luck to find the good ones (or a lot of effort :-) ).

[angelman]

Careful through France. Take a hi-vis, spare bulbs, warning triangle and breathalyser. With the latter, you might be able to pick one up on the boat. They only cost £2 or £3. The French police like stopping British cars.

 

Speeding on the autoroute is quite tight these days, but you should be OK under 86mph. The Swiss are also a bit arsey with speeding.

[trousers]

I'm driving down to Treporti, Venice in August and will be doing the tolls through France on the way out (for speed) and stopping just before the Swiss border over night then onto Venice via Gotthard tunnel and Milan onto the autostraders.

 

On the return I have a bit more time so am planning to come back via Munich and thus avoid the expensive tolls through France.

 

A fair bit of driving considering I have to get down from Manchester first via So'ton (my mum and dad are dog sitting for us) but I'm looking forward to it. Unlike the OP I haven't got a great deal of Euro driving experience other than France a little bit. Apprehensive but excited.

 

I'm finding Google maps an excellent way of planning our route and the search nearby 'right-click' context menu feature is great for finding hotels/campsites near to where ever you 'right-click'. I've basically done this to locate stop-offs along the way.

 

Hi Jason.....nice one....great minds thinking alike.... :-)

 

Have you tried the Via Michelin site for working out routes etc? I find it a bit more informative than Google Maps - for example it'll give you a fuel cost estimate if you tell it what type of engine you've got etc. I also find the print-outs a little easier on the eye. Just a personal preference though. The site is here: http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/

 

cheers

[trousers]

If you're coming via Luzern you'll be further east than me: I'll be heading back via the Great St Bernard, Lausanne then eastern France, but wave if you see a Fabia coming the other way with a Saints sticker in the back window. Might have had a GSB tunnel ticket you could have used as I won't have used all the abbonnement and it expires on the 17/08.

 

Excuse my ignorance but what is the GSB tunnel?

 

We only chose Luzern and Lugano as stoppover points as they happened to be on the route that the online route finders came up with. Do you think there's a better way to get from France to Italy that might not seem so obvious via the online searches?

 

Given the length of the journey the most important factor for us is 'shortest time' rather than 'most scenic'

 

cheers - will look out for the sticker :-)

 

Edit: ah, got it I think....GSB = Great St Bernard?

[suewhistle]

Remember anyone coming through Switzerland that you'll need a motorway carnet. SF40 if I remember correctly which lasts a calendar year (end of the following January actually). Italian motorway tolls can be steep [particularly in my area :-( ]. I travel back and forth to the UK via Belgium/Luxembourg and eastern France to avoid French motorway tolls and to fill up on fuel in Luxembourg. It's also cheaper in Switzerland so fill up before you arrive in Italy.

[suewhistle]

Yep, you can go over the top - very dramatic scenery but twisty road or through the tunnel. In winter you don't have a choice and it sometimes doesn't open until May like this year (and then closed he following day due to 10" of snow!). Being a cheapskate I went over the pass the other year on the way to the pre-season friendly and bought by book of tickets on the way back: no VAT in Switzerland so saved myelf 20%.

[trousers]

Remember anyone coming through Switzerland that you'll need a motorway carnet. SF40 if I remember correctly which lasts a calendar year (end of the following January actually).

Hi Sue - is that something I need to buy in advance or do I simple buy it at the Swiss border on the way through - cheers

 

I travel back and forth to the UK via Belgium/Luxembourg and eastern France to avoid French motorway tolls

 

Does that route add much time to the route that the likes of Google Maps recommend? cheers

[Kingsland Red]

Vist Positano on the Amalfi coast and Sorrento - beautiful.

Drink limoncello

Avoid the Mont Blanc and other Alpine tunnels where long queues arise at toll booth / border control points.

Wear dark glasses and be ready to lift and drop them when passing Genoa and the constant bright sunlight v pitch darkness of the 100 or so tunnels in quick fire succession along the autostrada down the north west coast.

Drive at any speed on the autostrada - an Italian will always come screaming up behind you.

[trousers]

Looking at the map again, it doesn't look like my 'natural' route takes me near to the Gt St Bernard or Mont Blanc tunnel areas. I'm looking at Basel -> Lucerne -> Milan

 

Anyone know how clogged up that particular trans-apline route can get compared to the other options? (the route is labelled E35 on the map)

 

Sorry for all the dumb questions!

[trousers]

Just thought of another dumb question.....!

 

Should I go clockwise or anti-clockwise around Milan?

 

[dubai_phil]

Did 3,700+kms across Italy just couple of weeks back for our hols. Loved it.

 

Tolls were not as bad as I feared, TIP have a syetem organised BEFORE you hit the toll roads where you put the ticket AND the cash.

 

A1 down the centre of Otaly was the busiest we saw lots of trucks & only 2 lanes everything else was heaven to drive.

 

One point I noted, the Italians kindly put up a sign on the autoroute telling you it is controlled by radar normally means a trap in 1km. They were pretty easy to spot in the countryside big box by the side of the road. Nearer towns they had system tudor which was on the overhead gantries.

 

I found that the gas stations love to fill your car for you - and charge you 50c extra per litre so look for self serve pumps (watch your fingers though - ouch!) also did not see a great variation between MWay & local gas prices.

 

AVOID the SPECIAL OFFER wine in the Service stations it is gross. Oh and don't expect to get anything nutritious to eat on the Mway, (OR Maps) seems the service stations only exist to sell Plastic Toys & Biscuits.

 

Oh and seriously? Leave the GPS off as much as possible and make sure you have PROPER maps found it much easier when we only used the GPS to double check our map position

 

(Oh and sort out a data roaming package before you travel but you probably know that)

 

On the way down you have to do Siena or Florence (I preferred Siena less mad crowds.)

 

Oh and when you look at the map th6th Juneere is a coast road to Rome - the A12 becomes the E80. DON'T use it.

 

It is OK to Grosetto but after that is a succession of single carriageway and roadworks. a nightmare of trucks & farm vehicles at an average speed of 50kph when we came up it on 6th June. The scenery is not worth it either MUCH prettier on the A1 (unless you head into the wilds of the Tuscan country roads then you'll take weeks to get anywhere round all the wobbly bits!)

 

Farking LOVED the driving over there (and we stayed out of all the City Centres - parked & used Metro in Rome.

 

 

 

Oh and DON'T be an idiot in Rome - leave EVERYTHING at home except enough cash for the day (a small amount in EVERY pocket) and a point & shoot camera. Despite telling our mate he took his wallet. He never even made it into Rome before he lost EVERYTHING When he went to report it to the Police he reckoned over 150 people in the queue took him 3 hours. Motto - LEAVE IT ALL behind locked up safe

[suewhistle]

The carnet can be bought at the border. I've never suffered queues at the GSB tunnel (or Mt Blanc - where they're more common). Just apply common sense as to when you go through.

 

I've done Thames Valley to Aosta in a long day (early ferry from Dover) and that's me as only driver and an old car, but I wouldn't recommend it and won't be doing it again. I just wanted to get home. But with an overnight, easy: my own route being Dunkirk, Lille, Mons, Charleroi, Luxembourg, Nancy, Metz, Epinal, Vesoul, Besançon,Pontarlier, Lausanne, Martigny, GSB.

[dubai_phil]

Oh and drink Ratafia, and Prosecco, avoid cheap Pecorino Cheese in the Supermarket buy the proper mature stuff.

 

DON'T laugh outloud at the name of the big supermarket chain over there (Conad's) Red Peroni is better than the chavy blue stuff and a bottle of 1.50 Euro Sicilian Wine is absolutely fine for lunch with bread Proscuitto & cheese (hope your hotel has a mini bar fridge you can use)

[suewhistle]

Looking at the map again, it doesn't look like my 'natural' route takes me near to the Gt St Bernard or Mont Blanc tunnel areas. I'm looking at Basel -> Lucerne -> Milan

 

No it doesn't. No idea on the traffic but very early or very late might be a good idea. As for Milan, no idea but my instinct would be clockwise! I'll ask around...

[saintbletch]

Careful through France. Take a hi-vis, spare bulbs, warning triangle and breathalyser. With the latter, you might be able to pick one up on the boat. They only cost £2 or £3. The French police like stopping British cars.

 

Speeding on the autoroute is quite tight these days, but you should be OK under 86mph. The Swiss are also a bit arsey with speeding.

 

Sound advice.

 

Also, you have to have the hi-vis jacket IN the car and not in the boot. The convention appears to be to drape it around the driver's seat so that it is visible from the outside and is ready should you need to leave the car on a busy road.

 

I THINK that you need two breathalyser kits - at least that is what our friends told us who live in France. But a quick Google suggests that MIGHT not be the case.

 

And Trousers, remember that in Italy (as with a number of other countries) they give way ON the roundabouts to traffic about to join - i.e.the joining traffic has right of way. We want you back safe and sound for the new season! I just wished I'd known that before my first drive in Italy. I made a very brown noise at the first roundabout I can tell you.

 

Also a tip that I was given by an Italian friend. She claims that it is not true that Italians do not respect any laws. Instead she says that all Italians have there own collection of laws that they will abide by and others that they won't and these are often overruled by a belief in a higher power. This makes driving in Italy interesting. Whenever you need to follow some road instructions, simple double-check that the drivers around you are doing the same and not simply putting their faith in a higher power. To be honest in and around the more built-up areas you'll be fine.

 

If you've got time, pick a route through the Alps that takes in a few of the tunnels. Some simply disappear underground for ages whilst others go under rock ledges and provide the most spectacular views. Plan to stop plenty of times (especially if you are taking kids) and if you can really afford the time pick a detour route off the main drag that takes you UP and stop for lunch.

 

Lastly, I got freaked out the first time I went on the Autostrada by how close the cars behind travel. Drivers will sit inches (centimetres I guess) away from your bumper waiting for you to pull over - even through I was travelling much faster than the speed limit. It is a little stressful at first. However, unlike here there was never any aggression or fist waving as they went pass. It appeared to be a convention that simply means, "I'd like to pass you".

 

Send us all a postcard!

[FloridaMarlin]

In Italian cities watch out for scooter drivers at traffic lights.

You'll stop at a red light in your car and be on your own. But before the light turns red the scooters will be all around you like a swarm of bees' in front of you, up the inside of you, latching on to your wing mirrors, behind you, everywhere.

At the very least it's a nightmare to drive as you have to try and avoid hitting them. More seriously, make sure your windows are up as you're likely to find hands reaching in to snatch bags and anything else that isn't nailed down.

Although I've driven in several Italian cities, Genoa was the worst for this.

But no Italian city - not even Naples - is as bad to drive in as Tel-Aviv. It has the second highest accident rate in the world after Tehran.

[Whitey Grandad]

Sound advice.

 

Also, you have to have the hi-vis jacket IN the car and not in the boot. The convention appears to be to drape it around the driver's seat so that it is visible from the outside and is ready should you need to leave the car on a busy road.

 

I THINK that you need two breathalyser kits - at least that is what our friends told us who live in France. But a quick Google suggests that MIGHT not be the case.

And Trousers, remember that in Italy (as with a number of other countries) they give way ON the roundabouts to traffic about to join - i.e.the joining traffic has right of way. We want you back safe and sound for the new season! I just wished I'd known that before my first drive in Italy. I made a very brown noise at the first roundabout I can tell you.

 

Also a tip that I was given by an Italian friend. She claims that it is not true that Italians do not respect any laws. Instead she says that all Italians have there own collection of laws that they will abide by and others that they won't and these are often overruled by a belief in a higher power. This makes driving in Italy interesting. Whenever you need to follow some road instructions, simple double-check that the drivers around you are doing the same and not simply putting their faith in a higher power. To be honest in and around the more built-up areas you'll be fine.

 

If you've got time, pick a route through the Alps that takes in a few of the tunnels. Some simply disappear underground for ages whilst others go under rock ledges and provide the most spectacular views. Plan to stop plenty of times (especially if you are taking kids) and if you can really afford the time pick a detour route off the main drag that takes you UP and stop for lunch.

 

Lastly, I got freaked out the first time I went on the Autostrada by how close the cars behind travel. Drivers will sit inches (centimetres I guess) away from your bumper waiting for you to pull over - even through I was travelling much faster than the speed limit. It is a little stressful at first. However, unlike here there was never any aggression or fist waving as they went pass. It appeared to be a convention that simply means, "I'd like to pass you".

 

Send us all a postcard!

You must always have an unused one in the car, so if you do ever use one you will still have the spare.

[Scummer]

You must always have an unused one in the car, so if you do ever use one you will still have the spare.

 

They aren't enforcing the law until November, so you don't need to bother this summer.

 

Oh and yes viamichelin is good for route planning.

[trousers]

Cheers for the oodles of advice guys and gals - much appreciated.

 

I'm a little intrigued by the requirement to carry breathalysers though.....is this some kind of government cut back whereby the police have run out of cash to carry their own? Or is there some other no doubt obvious reason why? I seem to remember this idea was mooted in the UK a few years back but it was discarded because people thought that it might ENCOURAGE more people to drink and drive (just under the limit) if they had easu access to breathalyser kits....

[trousers]

Cheers DP....a few follow up queries below if I may be so bold....

 

Tolls were not as bad as I feared, TIP have a syetem organised BEFORE you hit the toll roads where you put the ticket AND the cash.

Do they take bank cards as well as cash? If yes, would you still recommend sticking with cash? (maybe crap exchange rate on the card?)

 

I found that the gas stations love to fill your car for you - and charge you 50c extra per litre so look for self serve pumps (watch your fingers though - ouch!) also did not see a great variation between MWay & local gas prices.

Is it obvious which stations are self-service and which aren't as you approach them? I assume the motorway service stations are all self-serve?

 

And, what's with the painful fingers....?!

 

don't expect to get anything nutritious to eat on the Mway, (OR Maps) seems the service stations only exist to sell Plastic Toys & Biscuits.

Sounds the complete opposite to German service stations then. I couldn't quite believe the excellent quality of the fresh food on the autobahns. Still, it sounds like a slight improvement on the grease laden excuse for food you get on UK motorways!

 

Leave the GPS off as much as possible and make sure you have PROPER maps found it much easier when we only used the GPS to double check our map position

Hmmm....interestign one that. I tend to rely on the damn thing especially when travelling around Europe as the rest of the family are useless map readers and navigators! Are you recommending that because they tend to be inaccurate in Italy or just a personal preference? Cheers

 

(Oh and sort out a data roaming package before you travel but you probably know that)

It's funny you should say that....I've been stung numerous times before (lack of planning and poor use of the 'data off' control on the phone, but I got a text through from O2 last week saying that, as from July, they are going to start capping Europe data charges at £1.99 per day which, given they used to charge £3 per MB, is a pretty hefty change in favour of the customer. Some EU directive I believe....

 

Farking LOVED the driving over there (and we stayed out of all the City Centres - parked & used Metro in Rome.

 

Whereabouts did you park to pick up the metro? We've been recommended the mainline train as we're about 50 miles north of Rome but would entertain driving in closer to the outskirts of the city if it was no bother.

 

Are there 'safer' places to park than others? For example, I assume parking in a mainline train station car park would probably be as safe as it gets.

 

Cheers again

[trousers]

And Trousers, remember that in Italy (as with a number of other countries) they give way ON the roundabouts to traffic about to join - i.e.the joining traffic has right of way. We want you back safe and sound for the new season! I just wished I'd known that before my first drive in Italy. I made a very brown noise at the first roundabout I can tell you.

There's another country where they do the same.....might be Malta IIRC. Does take a bit of getting used to, especially the remembering not to do it when you get back to the UK bit...! :-)

 

If you've got time, pick a route through the Alps that takes in a few of the tunnels. Some simply disappear underground for ages whilst others go under rock ledges and provide the most spectacular views. Plan to stop plenty of times (especially if you are taking kids) and if you can really afford the time pick a detour route off the main drag that takes you UP and stop for lunch.

I must admit that I'm torn between getting from A to B as quickly (and safely) as possible versus making as many stop offs as possible. As I'm not familiar with any alternative routes I'm inclined to stick with what ViaMichelin and Google Maps are telling me (hence plucking Lucerne and Lugano out at random as places to stay overnight enroute). But will certainly play it by ear along the way if we're making good time. I tend to find that the online route calculators tend to over estimate the time it takes so hopefully that'll buy us some time (sod's law aside)

 

Lastly, I got freaked out the first time I went on the Autostrada by how close the cars behind travel. Drivers will sit inches (centimetres I guess) away from your bumper waiting for you to pull over - even through I was travelling much faster than the speed limit. It is a little stressful at first. However, unlike here there was never any aggression or fist waving as they went pass. It appeared to be a convention that simply means, "I'd like to pass you".

Now, that reminds me of drivign on the autobahns in Germany. It's surprising how quickly one gets used to re-calibrating one's anticipation of approaching vehicle speed when there's no limit! But, as you say, even though they get right up your bumper there's no aggression involved per se, it's just the way they drive and everyone seems to respect lane disipline more as a result of the high speeds. No middle lane hoggers in Germany!

 

Send us all a postcard!

Will do. I'll just address it to: "Nutjobs, Saints Web Forum, Southampton"....I'm sure it'll get here OK.... :-)

 

Thanks for the advice SB

[trousers]

No it doesn't. No idea on the traffic but very early or very late might be a good idea. As for Milan, no idea but my instinct would be clockwise! I'll ask around...

 

Cheers :-)

[fuente saint]

One quick tip - get your car air conditioning serviced. I came down here to Spain in April and did not even give it a thought - it is not something you think about in cold UK. Come the current temperatures in the mid thirties since May my air conditioning has struggled and am just about to have to get it serviced.

[View From The Top]

I've driven 1000s of miles in Italy over the years and I've always found it less of an issue than driving on the M6 or in Brum!

 

That said, the advice about not driving in Naples is sound, same as for Rome.

 

Next trip down we are going the German route as it saves a fortune on the tolls.

 

Traffic wise, if you're unlucky, you could hit *insert Italian name which I've forgotten* holiday, which is like the old factory fortnights which means the traffic can be murder. More than once on a August Saturday I've crawled along the A4, down the A22 & the A1!

 

As for stuff required, I keep my hi-vis etc in the glovebox and despite doing stacks of trips, only been stopped once, outside Ascoli, and once the rozzer knew I was English (despite my best Italian), he just wanted to talk football!

[anothersaintinsouthsea]

Have you checked the charges that your bank/credit cards attract for use abroad? They can be steep if you're not careful (go to http://www.moneysavingexpert.com). My cards aren't great so I use a prepaid Euro Mastercard which offered me a great conversion rate and it can be topped up easily online. Only drawback is that while it's free to use for transactions it does cost €1.50 for cash withdrawals (see http://www.fairfx.com).

[Frank's cousin]

Cheers for the oodles of advice guys and gals - much appreciated.

 

I'm a little intrigued by the requirement to carry breathalysers though.....is this some kind of government cut back whereby the police have run out of cash to carry their own? Or is there some other no doubt obvious reason why? I seem to remember this idea was mooted in the UK a few years back but it was discarded because people thought that it might ENCOURAGE more people to drink and drive (just under the limit) if they had easu access to breathalyser kits....

 

Think this is because they have a lower than us alcohol/blood limit of around 0.5mg/ml or something like that (which means you can be over the legal limit after a glass of stronger wine). This places teh onus on the driver to check...so NO excuses if caught.

[jasonb]

Hi Jason.....nice one....great minds thinking alike.... :-)

 

Have you tried the Via Michelin site for working out routes etc? I find it a bit more informative than Google Maps - for example it'll give you a fuel cost estimate if you tell it what type of engine you've got etc. I also find the print-outs a little easier on the eye. Just a personal preference though. The site is here: http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/

 

cheers

 

Hi mate,

 

Yes. Me and my wife finally got some time off at the same time this year so on a complete whim I booked the campsite! Traveling down with my 8 y.o. son so a proper road trip! Funny as until April I was the proud owner of a VW camper but never trusted it enough to get us to Wales never-mind into Europe. Selling it was the catalyst to go on this trip!

 

I have seen the Michelin site but will have another look as I found it a little cumbersome.. its used a lot and I've read about it on forums so must be the goto map site.

 

After reading back very briefly I'm so glad I found this thread today as it has already thrown up more questions for me and I've gained more knowledge today than a couple of weeks of forum searching.

 

Nice one!

[jasonb]

Just thought of another dumb question.....!

 

Should I go clockwise or anti-clockwise around Milan?

 

 

I think I'm going clockwise but then I'm turning off and heading east before you so might be no help at all

[jasonb]

Hmm.. reading about the GSB tunnel and comparing it to the Gotthard tunnel I might be best choosing the former as the Gotthard seems to be a traffic jam nightmare especially in August!

 

I fancy going over the tops though for the views alone! I am landing in Dunkirk 1pm local time and have 48 hours to get to our campsite... taking the passes rather than the tunnel is that do-able (with an overnight stop of course) ?

 

http://www.englishforum.ch/transportation-driving/23562-driving-via-gotthard-tunnel-never-again.html

[View From The Top]

Why the obsession with the France/Switzerland route?

[trousers]

Why the obsession with the France/Switzerland route?

 

I want/need to go the quickest route regardless of which countries that entails. Is there a quicker route than the one that the online map sites come up with? Will happily look into any viable alternatives. Cheers

[View From The Top]

I want/need to go the quickest route regardless of which countries that entails. Is there a quicker route than the one that the online map sites come up with? Will happily look into any viable alternatives. Cheers

 

The route you have planned, at that time of the year, especially as you'll be heading down through the peninsula on a Saturday, may not be the quickest despite what any online site says.

 

The German route comes in at around 1hr longer on paper but you save all the tolls, cost of going across Switzerland and tunnel fees.

[trousers]

The route you have planned, at that time of the year, especially as you'll be heading down through the peninsula on a Saturday, may not be the quickest despite what any online site says.

 

The German route comes in at around 1hr longer on paper but you save all the tolls, cost of going across Switzerland and tunnel fees.

 

Cheers - will defo look into that - will it be obvious what route to take through Germany or are there alternatives within that option too? Cheers

[View From The Top]

Cheers - will defo look into that - will it be obvious what route to take through Germany or are there alternatives within that option too? Cheers

 

Basically across Belgium towards Cologne, down towards Stuggart, cross through Austria, down through Trento to Verona, down to Modena & then down towards Rome on the A1.

 

As I've said, traffic on a Saturday can be utterly and totally beyond cr.ap so head off early & I mean early!

[Wes Tender]

Greetings fellow forum stalwarts,

 

6 of us are driving down to Italy in August for our 2 week summer holiday. The first week we are staying 50 ish miles north of Rome (near Viterbo) and the second week we are staying 60 ish miles south of Naples (near Sassano).

 

On the way down we've got an overnight stay in Switzerland for the outbound and return trips (Luzerne and Lugano respectively).

 

Anyone got any travel tips for the journey? (e.g. routes to avoid, driving tips, etc). I've done plenty of driving around France, Germany and Denmark but never Italy.

 

Also, any tips for places to visit whilst there (the obvious Rome and Naples/Pompeii tourist traps aside)?

 

Cheers me dears,

Lord Trousers and family

 

When you're near Naples, then you have probably more places to see than almost anywhere else on Earth. Do the Amalfi drive. Positano and Amalfi are particularly lovely. Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Capri, Vesuvius are all good trips. You can do the Naples, Herclaneum and Pompeii trip by the local train cheaply. If you do Capri on the hydrofoil, do take the chair lift to the highest point for the most spectacular view of the Bay of Naples.

 

Via Michelin is very good to plan the route and offers alternative routes for economy, sightseeing, avoiding tolls, etc. A good feature is that you can assess where you will be by a certain time, aiding your planning for the night stop pff. Also, there is the button for showing the hotels and restaurants on the way and links to book them too. We're going into Northern Italy in August too and stopping off just across the border into Italy, between Como and Maggiore. We found this hotel at Varese for about £65 a double room per night.

 

http://www.palacevarese.com/index.php/en

 

Via Michelin is generous with the timing, but possibly because it tells you stop after two hours driving and makes allowance for the break.

[Wes Tender]

 

Traffic wise, if you're unlucky, you could hit *insert Italian name which I've forgotten* holiday, which is like the old factory fortnights which means the traffic can be murder. More than once on a August Saturday I've crawled along the A4, down the A22 & the A1!

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferragosto

 

A shame to go then if the missus likes shopping, because half the shops put up a sign "closed for ferragosto". Mind you, that will probably cheapen the holiday if half the shoes and handbag shops are closed.

[buctootim]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferragosto

 

A shame to go then if the missus likes shopping, because half the shops put up a sign "closed for ferragosto". Mind you, that will probably cheapen the holiday if half the shoes and handbag shops are closed.

 

'Chiuso per Ferie' was the bane of my life trying to find petrol on one long drive in a very thirsty V8 through Northern Italy in August.

[View From The Top]

'Chiuso per Ferie' was the bane of my life trying to find petrol on one long drive in a very thirsty V8 through Northern Italy in August.

 

Yep, it can be a 'mare. Mad the mistake once going on holiday when the drive from Bologna to Ascoli took 2.5 times longer and once when going on a business shopping expedition to the old Stone Island factory shop in Cravelcore. The drive from Bergamo, despite landing at 09.00, was a nightmare.

 

Now we never go during Ferragosto!

[View From The Top]

If your Doris is into her shopping then the Prada outlet & The Mall discount designer village are on the way to Rome.

 

Been to both as I'm a clothes whore

 

Prada

Località Levanella; Montevarchi; 055 91 901; Mon-Sat 9.30-7, Sun 2-9.

Prada's outlet is the hardest to find but most rewarding as it has far more stock in a greater range of sizes than we found at any of the other factory stores. The huge shop sells shoes, bags, sunglasses and above all lots of clothes by Miu Miu, Helmut Lang and Jil Sander as well as Prada. Get there when it opens as they don't restock during the day and queues form at the entrance from mid-morning. Best buys when we visited included Miu Miu trousers for £45, a Prada Sport wool skirt for £60 and winter coats by Helmut Lang, Miu Miu and Prada starting at around £200.

The Mall

Via Europa 8, Leccio Reggello; 055 865 7775; Mon-Sat 10-7, Sun 3-7.

The Mall is just that - a small strip of shops - in an unlikely location on the edge of a country road. Gucci, Armani, Sergio Rossi and Yves Saint Laurent are next to one another with Bottega Veneta and a café in a neighbouring building. When we visited, Gucci had a fantastic selection of bags, silk scarves (from £50) and belts (from £20) but only a very limited range of clothes and shoes. The best bargains were at Armani, where an immaculate Giorgio Armani menswear winter coat was selling for £265.

Getting there

Although it is possible to reach the outlets by public transport (taking a train to Montevarchi for Prada or Incisa for The Mall and continuing by taxi), it's much easier to drive there. If the prospect of negotiating Florence's narrow streets fills you with dread, hire a car from Europcar (Via del Gelsomino 11; 055 230 6777), who have an office in the southern suburbs of the city close to where you join the motorway.

For the Prada outlet, head south out of Florence on the A1 motorway and exit at Valdarno. Turn right after the toll onto the SS69 and follow directions for Arezzo and Montevarchi. Drive through the centre of Montevarchi till you reach the suburb of Levanelle, past an AGIP petrol station on the right. Shortly after the petrol station, where an overhead sign indicates the end of Montevarchi, turn left at a traffic light and drive round the back of a large, single-storey grey warehouse with a jagged roof, and you're there.

For The Mall, head south out of Florence on the A1 (as above) but exit earlier at Incisa. After the toll, turn right and head towards Pontassieve. The Mall is indicated all the way.

[derry]

Why would a non drinker driving in France require a breathalyser. Bureaucratic crap.

[Whitey Grandad]

Why would a non drinker driving in France require a breathalyser. Bureaucratic crap.

 

To prove they're not a drinker? No, I don't know either.

[stev2001]

Not sure if it's been posted already but if possible go through luxembourg to fill up, buy drink and cigarettes if you smoke.