Day stops on route to Italy

[giovanni]

Originally Posted by Neil T

Alan said:

<<I would also suggest that you consider avoiding the Milan Tangentiale [its M25] - you could consider going cross country from Como to Bergamo - not great roads, but probably better than Milan.>>


The roads in this area were undergoing a major revision last summer, and we had great difficulty negotiating them - very poorly signed.

Hopefully someone may know if this is finished, because if it isn't then the tangenzionale may be better.

It is always very busy at all times though.

We used como to bergamo route in late September, we get off just after the colderio services in Switzerland, just metres away from the border gaudes and enter como that way...No road works stick in my mind but it would have been early Saturday morning too.....

[jepsonclough]

Originally Posted by alan h

I have always found getting through Basel a bit of a pain - but I found a route around Basel that cut the delays to less than 15 minutes. [I have spent over 2 hours getting through the traffic and Customs/immigration checks in Basel, and never less than 30 minutes queuing in the car]

The route is very simple, and only adds about 5 miles or so to the route. Coming down the German autobahn [easy connection from France at Mulhouse] - take the turn off just before Basel to Lorrach and continue into Switzerland that way. Its a good road all the way - mainly dual carriageway - and it only took 10 minutes to 'do the checks' to enter Switzerland and 15 to leave. You end up on the Swiss motorway about 1km East of the turn to Lucerne.

Hope these assist


.

We have used Alan's cut through each time we have driven - it is really easy and we have had no problmes with the Swiss border (just the usual check that we have the vignette. Incidentally you can buy the vignette over the internet (Motorway vignette) which we found to be quick and convenient.)

Chris

[Flyingveepixie]

Originally Posted by adriatica

agree with flyingpigs as well on the austria route... the brenner pass gets you down to that side of Italy without having to traverse some of the major italian traffic blocks,,,

i also used to branch off the southern Germany area...rather than take the motorway via munich... head down towards the fern pass and or take the achansee turning off after munich... the lake is pretty...good hotels and you then pass down to innsbruck and then up the brener...
the other route is to go down past the fairy tale castle of Neuschwanstein ... king Ludwig's place ...

in fact its a pretty limitless choice as the road down via salzburg...say stopping there would take you out near venice... and there are some pretty spectacular lakes to visit around salzburg... one where the famous austrian had his hide out and tours are via electric boat to preserve the cleanliness and tranquility...

all these plans generally make me envious ... i get itchy feet... whatever way you choose theres a wealth to do and see either before in or just after the alps ....

I'm a big fan of this area of Germany ( King Ludwigs place ), and stop there for my overnight rest on every trip to Italy ; but I come down from Amsterdam and it's very convenient for me. It will add a fair few extra miles if you're coming from france......worth it though.

[Flyingveepixie]

Originally Posted by alan h

Three points that may assist driving to Italy – all are from some of my previous postings – but I think they are worth repeating.


If you drive in France - you might want to look at

http://www.controleradar.org/en.html/

its the French speed camera site


For fuel prices in Europe, look at

Fuel Price Reports : AA monthly fuel price report for April 2009 - The AA


I have always found getting through Basel a bit of a pain - but I found a route around Basel that cut the delays to less than 15 minutes. [I have spent over 2 hours getting through the traffic and Customs/immigration checks in Basel, and never less than 30 minutes queuing in the car]

The route is very simple, and only adds about 5 miles or so to the route. Coming down the German autobahn [easy connection from France at Mulhouse] - take the turn off just before Basel to Lorrach and continue into Switzerland that way. Its a good road all the way - mainly dual carriageway - and it only took 10 minutes to 'do the checks' to enter Switzerland and 15 to leave. You end up on the Swiss motorway about 1km East of the turn to Lucerne.

Hope these assist


.

I got stuck in Basel once too....in a huge traffic jam for no apparent reason at 11.30pm. Got stuck there for over an hour just after clearing customs and paying for that vignette thing. It was my one and only attempt at driving to Italy via France and Switzerland. I also hated that Gotthard tunnel - 18km of diesel fumes coming in my vents yeuch!! Give me Germany and Austria every time ! Sorry if this sounds negative - just my opinion from experience Lol.