From Calais to Lake Maggiore, Italy HELP!!

[Martin_374360856]

We are taking our carvan to Europe this Summer and were hoping to get as far as Lake Maggiore in North West Italy. How many days would it take and what is the best way to get throuh the Alps? I have heard the Mont Blanc Tunnel is best but what about gradients? Is it okay for Caravans?

Martin, Manchester

 

[Lutz]

To get to Lake Maggiore, especially the northern shores, I would tend to use the Gotthard Tunnel rather than the Mont Blanc, unless you particularly want to avoid paying the Swiss motorway toll. But, either way, gradients aren't a problem. You will find that they are probably a good deal less severe than what you may be accustomed to in some parts of the UK.

 

[Woody3]

Although it is longer, consider the free motorways through Belgium, Germany, and over the Brenner Highway (toll and a climb) in Austria into the Dolomites.

Personally I think on balance I preferred Lake Garda to Lake Maggiore, especially as you can use the very cheap Italian railways to do day trips to such as Verona and Venice. From Maggiore you big city choice is Milan - which is a bit of a let-down.