Switzerland to Italy

[SpudDog57]

We have been planning our first visit to Italy and were told we need vignette for both car and caravan. We have been offered a deal on 2011 vignettes that were used in Jan - Feb, are they transferable or should we pay full price?
Our route will take us via Aosta as my wife has Italian relatives in that area, Italian Lakes (good camping grounds? budget end, not full price), Venice, Rome and we are also open to any "must see" suggestions. Not Pompeii, we went there 30 years ago.

 

[ValA.]

For campsites at 'budget' prices have a look at the ACSI card (www.campingcard.com) and Camping Cheques (www.campingcheque.co.uk) websites. There are also Touring Cheques (www.touringcheque.co.uk) and Vacansoleil Cheques (http://www.vacansoleil.co.uk/soleil-cheques/) They all offer a pitch for two adults, car and caravan (or tent, or motorhome), awning, and electricity for one night. Some include the supplement for one dog in the price, if you are taking a dog with you. Prices vary - Vacansoleil Cheques are £9.00 per night, ACSI between 11 and 15 euros, Touring Cheques £12.95, and Camping Cheques £13.95. Some have special offers such as 7 nights for the price of 6, or 14 nights for the price of 11.
Camping Cheques, Touring Cheques, and Soleil Cheques have to be bought in advance - and used within a year or a couple of years on the sites in their guides, between the dates when they are accepted (all information is given on the websites). The ACSI card comes as part of a book which you can buy on line from Vicarious Books for around £13.00 - and in the book is the detachable card which you use to get the discounted price on site - again between the dates when it is accepted. With each scheme you must tell the campsite reception on arrival (or if you wish to book) that you'll be using that particular discount scheme. You pay a supplement for children on top, but from your post I feel that you may not be taking young children with you! ACSI, however, on 376 of their sites, have free child places for up to three under 6 year olds.
All these schemes will give you a good choice of sites, perhaps ACSI has more in Germany, Switzerland and Italy, but it's worth looking at each of the websites as they all give you easy access to a range of sites and usually direct links to the campsite's own website for further details.
Can't help with the vignette question, sorry!

 

[SteveW77]

The Swiss Vignettes are made to fall apart if you remove them from the windscreen. People stick them to cling film so they can transfer them between cars. This is illegal and the penalty is a huge fine plus you have to buy the vignettes as well.
They do make regular checks on vehicles to make sure that they are fitted directly on the windscreen and they accept no excuses for any infringement.
If you don't want to pay, go via Germany & Austria, the Austrian vignette is very cheap and you only need one for the car, not the caravan.

Steve W

 

[DianneT]

Personally I would travel through Belgium, Germany and Austria to Italy, No Tolls except for Brenner Motorway till you get to Italy.
One Vignette 7.90 euros for 10 days, 22.90 for 2 months a lot cheaper than over £50 in Switzerland and a much prettier route down.
If you are going out of season would recommend ACSI Card more sites than any other orgaization offers and no paying up front except for the book with card around 11.95 euro's. For suggestions of places to visit and sites see Italy Info on my website as signature below. Hope this helps.

 

[JonnyG]

Dont worry too much about second user vignettes, have used them myself in the past, just make sure they are not damaged.
Curious as to what route you are intending to use to go to Aosta, that makes you need vignettes?
Personally i would debate the choice of going to Italy Especially to Aosta! from Austria, Not only way way longer in time, but far more expensive too. But if you are finishing your tour off at the lakes[garda] then leaving Italy this way is an option,otherwise its a non starter

http://www.campingbutterfly.it/index.aspx[linknot working, type in camping butterfly instead] Nice site on the bottom of the lake at peschiera del garda, nice and flat 10 mins from motorway, train station 10 min walk for cheap train to venice, well placed for exploring lake garda, but have to say cheap? none of them are.
www.Camping.it is the site i use, but doesnt seem to be responding

 

[SpudDog57]

Before Italy we will be spending about ten days visiting Paris followed by two weeks in Switzerland meeting up with friends touring Europe in a motor home.

Thank you Val A for your time effort and information. My wife is checking your links now and DianneT's web site, thank's Di.

Thank you for other route suggestions, I probably should have mentioned the first part of the trail.

 

[DianneT]

Sent answer about Butterfly but it has not appeared. ACSI CC taken on the site form 12th March to 8th of July so cheap out of season.