Car Tavel to Italy

[Jan Moscovitch]

Since we bought our house in Montegiorgio 2 years ago we have made all the journeys by air, mainly due to the fact that Tim has only recently taken early retirement and he has an elderly mother whom we can't leave with out a visit for too long...... anyway this year we want to try a couple of the visits by road but the big question is what is the best route ?
We have looked at Michelin, AA and RAC routes, all have something different, quickest, shortest or most cost effective. We will be travelling Yorkshire to Montegiorgio allowing 2 nights stopping on the way, and Tim prefers not to drive around 36 hairpin bends in the mountains! if anyone out there can suggest a really good tried and tested route we would be very pleased to hear from them.

Jan & Tim

[Penny]

We've done overnight ferry from Hull to Zeebrugge, then through France (then Switzerland but only if you are not bringing stuff into Italy because they are not in the EU - otherwise stay in France & go through the Mont Blanc tunnel). You'll only need one overnight stop to Montegiorgio unless you are driving very slowly.

Another tip is that lorries aren't allowed on the roads at weekends on the continent so go then. It makes the journey much more pleasant.

We found the traffic in Holland terrible so wouldn't go that way again, hence going via France where the roads are very quiet even if it is slightly longer. Last time we tried it through Germany we had terrible snow and loads of traffic so it was a stressful drive. We swore we'd never go through Holland or Germany again. Having said that I'm sure you'll find others who swear by that route!

[algrey]

I have sent you a pm Jan

[Charles Phillips]

Sibillini's suggestion of Hull/Zeebrugge is very good - as mentioned, it saves an overnight stay, (and saves driving in Britain) and if you can use this route on a Saturday night it makes for a very fast run. I wouldn't use France though - Belgium's roads are fine, and free, to Luxembourg, a bit of France, Switz and then into Italy.

[Cassini]

Third the idea of the overnight crossing. Seemed worthwhile to us last year; couldn't believe how quickly we arrived home the next day rather than exhausting ourselves on the M1 or A1.

[Neil T]

Charles Philips is spot on.

We took his advice last October.

Hull Zeebrugge ferry is overnight. Either buffet dinner or more expensive A la Carte.
Buffet breakfast. Clean cabin, if small.

Took free Belgian Motorway to Luxembourg - easy.
Free French motorway, then Normal road (scenic) toColmar for overnight (Stopped three nights in fact and enjoyed a break in the Alsace wine villages)
Motorway - turn left at Mulhouse junction, into Germany, then south into Switzerland - no tolls.
(You need to look up this thread - someone always comes along and finds it for you! - it gives details of this route.)
Motorway through Swtzerland - you need a carnet (got mine on line - google swiss motorway pass) cost about 25euro.
You can choose the St Gotthard tunnel or Pass. We chose the Pass. Into Italy at Chiasso, near Como.
Italian motorway to Milan and onward.
We were staying at Iseo, and arrived mid afternoon, with no fuss.
You may need a further overnight stop between here and Le Marche.

(PS belated thanks to CP)

[Neil T]

This is where I got the Swiss Pass

Switzerland Travel Centre.co.uk | Swiss Travel Passes

Came by return

[Penny]

Any recommendations for avoiding Switzerland from Zeebrugge to Amandola?

We'll be bringing new bikes back so can't got through Switzerland or we'll have to pay duty/tax.

[Charles Phillips]

Originally Posted by Penny

Any recommendations for avoiding Switzerland from Zeebrugge to Amandola?

I haven't done this route for ages, but have a look at Hull Rotterdam, then Holland and Germany, Austria and in through the Brennero. It was ghastly twenty years ago, but I expect they have finished the motorways in Germany by now! (For me, anything involving French roads is a no-no unless strictly necessary).

(btw apologies for calling you Sibillini, Penny!)

[jepsonclough]

Not sure where this "if you are bringing stuff avoid Switzerland" idea came form. We have traveled twice via Switzerland with the car (a Volvo V70 estate plus top box) VERY heavily laden (in the summer we left the kids to fly with my parents so we could fit more stuff in) - bedding, lights, kitchenware, you name it (Adrian Brown from the forum can vouch for it as he very kindly stored it at his house for a few days while ours was getting the windows finished) and we had no problem coming through Switzerland - only checks at the border seemed to be whether you have the Swiss motorway ticket (which works out much cheaper than french tolls and no extra charge for Alpine Tunnels). Swiss motorway service stations are much better than French or Italian ones.

We have done North Cheshire to Monte San Martino (near Amandola) leaving at 7am and arriving 10pm the next day (includes stopping for dinner as we had no food in) - P&O Dover to Calais, across towards Stasbourg (v quiet), one stop each way in Germany near the Rhine (we found a great hotel in Neuenburg am Rhiene which was inexpensive and had a very nice restaurant) - yes they are long days but it is do-able (and if you have lots of stuff the less time the car is unoccupied the better) and saves a night's accommodation. Worst bit is the drive through Northern Italy which is always busier than France, Switzerland or Germany. Would be an easy drive if you do two stops.

Chris