View From The Top Posted 29 June, 2012 Share Posted 29 June, 2012 If you enjoy driving...Naples is hilarious. Done it a few time.... even better when you have nervous back seat drivers. Driving in Italy is nuts...only place I've driven that is worse is India. Nah, driving in Brum is way worse than anything I've experienced in Italy (Naples aside). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suewhistle Posted 29 June, 2012 Share Posted 29 June, 2012 Well, just remember folks that Italy varies greatly from place to place in everything from food, wine, bureaucracy, water supply, whether things work, the attitude to the law, driving... The attitude to say, seatbelts, motor-cycle helmets and whether to stop at traffic-lights can differ greatly between the Valle d'Aosta and Puglia or Calabria, Torino or Napoli. It would be interesting to hear Saintswebs opinions as you drive south.. Anyway, lets go and see the kit launch... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonb Posted 29 June, 2012 Share Posted 29 June, 2012 Which camp sites are you looking at? Hi, I'm looking at http://www.camping-laacher-see.com/de/Start.html which is my first stop north-west of Koblenz and http://www.campingstubai.at/ for my second stop which is south-west of Innsbruck. Both look stunning and more than adequate to pitch the small tent up for something to eat, freshen up and a kip. The Austrian one especially looks gorgeous. Google maps is great for searching for things around your route. I found both of these simply by zooming into roughly the time intervals that I wanted to stop at and searching for campsites nearby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 29 June, 2012 Author Share Posted 29 June, 2012 That's the route I took for skiing earlier this year down to Austria. You've got a couple of options for Belguim to Germany. We went Brussels > Namur > Luxembourg > Zweibrucken > Karlsruhe. Petrol is significantly cheaper in Luxembourg so worth a pitstop here. There's a non-motorway stretch between Zweibrucken and Karlsruhe but its dual carriage way most of the way and worth taking IMO. From Kempten we went to Fussen and took the Fernpass through the "Zugspitze arena" into Austria which has stunning views of the mountains. Traffic was pretty heavy back in February (Saturday change-over day in all the ski resorts) but imagine should be lighter in the Summer. In any case if you make a fairly early start from Kempten you'll be ahead of the game. In February petrol was a good 15c a litre cheaper in Austria than Germany. You'll need to stop at some point either side of the border anyway to get the Austrian motorway vignette. The end of the Fernpass isn't too far from Innsbruck and the route into Italy. Cheers for that. Some really useful info there. Appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 29 June, 2012 Author Share Posted 29 June, 2012 (edited) trousers - you can get the vignette before you go: http://www.tolltickets.com/country/austria/vignette.aspx?lang=en-GB If you get one in advance, let me know how you get on. It would seem there are two versions of the vignette....one that has to be manually verified at any toll point you drive through or one that is auto verified by video camera p.s. I don't think that website is an 'official' retailer of vignettes etc but no reason to believe it isn't bonefide I guess. Edited 29 June, 2012 by trousers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonb Posted 29 June, 2012 Share Posted 29 June, 2012 (edited) If you get one in advance, let me know how you get on. It would seem there are two versions of the vignette....one that has to be manually verified at any toll point you drive through or one that is auto verified by video camera p.s. I don't think that website is an 'official' retailer of vignettes etc but no reason to believe it isn't bonefide I guess. You're right, this one is official: http://www.asfinag.at/toll-stickers-and-rates As I understand it you need to get your vignette 'punched' on the day you want it to commence whether buying in advance or not. Not sure about camera verification. Don't they use the cameras to check them??? http://www.asfinag.at/toll-enforcement-and-monitoring Edited 29 June, 2012 by jasonb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anothersaintinsouthsea Posted 29 June, 2012 Share Posted 29 June, 2012 Hi, I'm looking at http://www.camping-laacher-see.com/de/Start.html which is my first stop north-west of Koblenz and http://www.campingstubai.at/ for my second stop which is south-west of Innsbruck. Both look stunning and more than adequate to pitch the small tent up for something to eat, freshen up and a kip. The Austrian one especially looks gorgeous. Google maps is great for searching for things around your route. I found both of these simply by zooming into roughly the time intervals that I wanted to stop at and searching for campsites nearby. Not been in the Summer but the skiing in the Stubai is cracking. Always thought it would be a good summer spot, worth a few days stay if you've got the time especially as so handy for Innsbruck. I'd imagine the glacier would be open for a visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pressingon Posted 30 June, 2012 Share Posted 30 June, 2012 (edited) Thanks jasonb they look stunning, bought a motorhome recently and exploring locally to start but when the OH joins me in retirement next year definately looking to explore Europe. Don't forget to let us know how you get on. Edited 30 June, 2012 by pressingon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonb Posted 27 August, 2012 Share Posted 27 August, 2012 Got back from our road trip to Italy over the weekend. Had a fantastic time and just thought I'd pop back on here to say thanks again for the help and advice received whilst I planned for the trip. In the end we went via Germany/Austria which was superb in terms of cost and time although we did get held up a few times in Germany due to roadworks which I think were mentioned here as a potential issue. The German leg of the journey was the most boring in terms of scenery so might not do it that way next time. Austria however was stunning. Although we played it safe and went into the Dolomites via the Fernpass it was great. The campsite in Stubai was brilliant too and the little town there was a real highlight. On our return back to the UK we risked it a bit more by choosing our own campsites from the satnav list depending how far we had driven that day. I ended up doing Venice to Stuttgart on day 1 and then Stuttgart to Brugge on day 2. All in all a great trip and only one incidence of driving onto the wrong side of the road in nigh on 3000 miles of driving (including Manchester to Folkstone and back). Thanks again all :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Warrior Posted 27 August, 2012 Share Posted 27 August, 2012 Adhere to all speed restrictions in Italy and watch out for no entry zones . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 27 August, 2012 Share Posted 27 August, 2012 Got back from our road trip to Italy over the weekend. Had a fantastic time and just thought I'd pop back on here to say thanks again for the help and advice received whilst I planned for the trip. In the end we went via Germany/Austria which was superb in terms of cost and time although we did get held up a few times in Germany due to roadworks which I think were mentioned here as a potential issue. The German leg of the journey was the most boring in terms of scenery so might not do it that way next time. Austria however was stunning. Although we played it safe and went into the Dolomites via the Fernpass it was great. The campsite in Stubai was brilliant too and the little town there was a real highlight. On our return back to the UK we risked it a bit more by choosing our own campsites from the satnav list depending how far we had driven that day. I ended up doing Venice to Stuttgart on day 1 and then Stuttgart to Brugge on day 2. All in all a great trip and only one incidence of driving onto the wrong side of the road in nigh on 3000 miles of driving (including Manchester to Folkstone and back). Thanks again all :-) Well done it's a great place to drive! Oh and the wrong side bit? Don't worry - I did that at the weekend in Blighty - only went the wrong side of a roundabout with Mum in the car.... Unfortunately for some on here, nothing was coming the other way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 27 August, 2012 Share Posted 27 August, 2012 In the end we went via Germany/Austria which was superb in terms of cost and time Wouldn't say I told you so but..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 28 August, 2012 Share Posted 28 August, 2012 I've been driving abroad plenty of times and the only times I have driven on the wrong side were when I was back in the UK. I think you switch off mentally. Glad you had a great trip. Next year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 28 August, 2012 Share Posted 28 August, 2012 Well done it's a great place to drive! Oh and the wrong side bit? Don't worry - I did that at the weekend in Blighty - only went the wrong side of a roundabout with Mum in the car.... Unfortunately for some on here, nothing was coming the other way Not actually illegal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintandy666 Posted 28 August, 2012 Share Posted 28 August, 2012 I know it's quite a bit north of that, but if you are near on your way down, make sure you stop at Montepulciano. It's a little mountain walled town and has barely changed since it was built and it's fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suewhistle Posted 28 August, 2012 Share Posted 28 August, 2012 The wine is good there n'all... My only experience of driving on the wrong side was soon after I arrived in Italy some years ago in my little Fiesta and, preoccupied with bureaucractic worries, pulled out of a car park onto a quiet street. Quick panic and swerve when a car came the other way but the lady in the other car was laughing and no harm done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonb Posted 22 March, 2016 Share Posted 22 March, 2016 Wow, four years goes quick! After much dawdling and deliberating we've decided to take another trip to Italy in the car (we still hate flying) and the tent. I read back some of my posts here and the contributions from others, I came to the conclusion that Germany/Austria was the way to go. I think we want to do France via the Mt Blanc tunnel this year but am still wary of the toll costs and heavy summer traffic. Anyone been more recently and can express an opinion on that route versus the route I took last time? Already found a couple of nice campsites to break the journey up, one near Dijon and the other on the banks of lake Orta. I can almost taste the wine as the sun sets in mid-August. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 22 March, 2016 Share Posted 22 March, 2016 Mont Blanc is a long tunnel and the thought of that fire puts me off a little. I have driven through it but it seems to take forever. Many years ago we used the St Bernard, both the pass and the tunnel. I have also towed a caravan through the Susten and Simplon (I think) but I'm not sure if I was supposed to. Whichever route you take the scenery is breathtaking. Dijon is nice and I also like Beaune, especially the wine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 22 March, 2016 Share Posted 22 March, 2016 I have also towed a caravan through the Susten and Simplon but I'm not sure if I was supposed to. Try that on the Stelvio Pass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suewhistle Posted 22 March, 2016 Share Posted 22 March, 2016 I went down to the Alps again this winter and to avoid toll costs went Tunnel, Lille, Mons, Luxembourg (fill up), Epinal, Lausanne and Great St. Bernard Tunnel (although in summer the pass should be open). The advantage over Mt. Blanc is lower tolls (apart from the Swiss vignette), and if you use the GSB tunnel it's cheaper as no VAT and the return is valid a month (M.Blanc 1 week). On the way home I cross-countried France to Le Havre as arriving via Portsmouth means I'm virtually home. Drop down into the Aosta valley where there are plenty of camping sites for a stop - Aosta is worth a mooch - then on to Orta in a couple of hours (er.. campers/caravans a little more). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horley CTFC Saint Posted 22 March, 2016 Share Posted 22 March, 2016 Careful if filling up anywhere within about 50 miles of Calais on the way back - we had 3 migrants try and hide in the back of our van at a petrol station about 40 miles out. Then again I've been looking for a reliable gardener for a while Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 22 March, 2016 Share Posted 22 March, 2016 Try that on the Stelvio Pass Ooh don't tempt me. That's like a red rag to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suewhistle Posted 23 March, 2016 Share Posted 23 March, 2016 Careful if filling up anywhere within about 50 miles of Calais on the way back - we had 3 migrants try and hide in the back of our van at a petrol station about 40 miles out. Then again I've been looking for a reliable gardener for a while Hope you've got a decent garden shed.. In my whole holiday crossing 10+ borders the only time there was any interest or human involvement was a French plod/dogane at Le Havre. He wasn't interested in whether I had about 35 litres of wine on board and 2 litres of 95% spirit and 6 kilos of cheese! but was obviously just checking for other live contraband. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonb Posted 23 March, 2016 Share Posted 23 March, 2016 Thanks for info re the route you took recently Sue. Just have to make a decision now about where we want to go. Venice was last time and we enjoyed it so much tempted to go back but also really keen to try something else. Have been put off the Italian lakes due to August traffic. I guess everywhere in Italy is busy in August. Wish we had the time to head down to Salerno! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 24 March, 2016 Share Posted 24 March, 2016 Thanks for info re the route you took recently Sue. Just have to make a decision now about where we want to go. Venice was last time and we enjoyed it so much tempted to go back but also really keen to try something else. Have been put off the Italian lakes due to August traffic. I guess everywhere in Italy is busy in August. Wish we had the time to head down to Salerno! I drove around Lake Como in August and it wasnt that busy - lots of "chiuso per ferie" signs in fact Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now