Travelling to Italy this summer

[stuart_374410609]

Hi

We have booked a two week holiday at Camping Fornella, Lake Garda in Italy this August.

(Have booked a Superpitch as it would appear Italian pitchs are notoriously small!)

We have travelled extensively in France for the last six or so years and have decided to give italy a go this year.

When entering the route on several Road Map Sites on the internet it gives the following route.

(Motorway all way!)

From Calais to Reims to Strasbourg.

We have booked an overnight stop at "Colmar"

Then continuing to Basel,Luzern and then on the A2/E35

over the Alps via the St.Gotthard pass (staying on motorway)

down to Lugano,Milano and onto Lake Garda.

1) Is this route suitable for towing?

(We have a Landcruiser & Bailey Senator Oklahoma outfit)

2) Is there a charge to go through the tunnel at the pass?

3) Is it best to buy the Swiss Motorway Pass/Viniguette on line before we go or at the border?

Thanks

 

[Ben_374375354]

Personally I would go-

Calais--Brussels--Luxembourg(cheap fuel)--Nancy--N57 towards Mulhouse Overnight at Colmar

Basel--St Gotthard(Tunnel)--Ponte Chiasso--Como--Milan--Lake Garda.

Don't know why it has told you to go over the alps there is a cracking motorway with hardly any climbing involved.

The route I have done you above is virtually toll free and is suitable for towing.

SWISS ROAD TAX-- Just get it from the border when you arrive they will guide you to a parking area where you can purchase it from anyway if they can't see it in your windscreen.30euro for 12months.

 

[MikeA]

Hi Stuart,

Travelling in August I would certainly buy the two vignettes before you get to the border. There can be very long queues to get into Switzerland and anything you can do to speed the transit (in what could be very hot weather) is worth doing. Here is the web site address - http://www.switzerlandtravelcentre.co.uk/vignette.html

As for routes, the proposed route you mention (except use the Tunnel rather than the pass) is probably the fastest way. An alternative route across southern Germany and down through Austria and the Brenner pass is also interesting but involves a long tedious drive along a two lane autobahn on which for most of the time caravans and lorries are barred from overtaking.

Have a lovely trip

Mike A