23 replies to this topic

[T D]

we hope to do a tour of Italy next june & am seeking all the advice we can get, but primarily the best non toll route & overnight stops from Dunkerque down to camping san francesco, Desenzano ,northern Italy where we intend to do the C&CC la dolce vita tour off our own back's. As I say all advice,recomendations ect would be much appreciated as we have not towed to Italy before. We have 6 weeks to do this so no rush.

thank you all In antisitpation Tony

[N1CKTDV6]

Tony,

We went to San Felice Del Banaco  - a few K's from where you are going - and I can say the journey to that part of Italy is great...we went over the swiss mountains via Moloja pass and it was lovely.

As a warning all I would say is that Italian drivers don't give you the space you may need and aren't renowned for their patience - we found this to be true but on the whole the Autostrada's are great. Around that part of Garda the roads can be busy and winding - take it easy.

I am sure you will have a great journey.

Nick

[daydreamer]

As always,heed the advise of fellow travellers who have done this trip before.You will glean brilliant info if you troll thru the Italy bit of this forum.
Next  June is just when we are going (again!) and are looking forward to the trip.As for your route it really is up to you how you wish to get to Italy the best possible way,and of course which part of this country you wish to visit.Autostradas. First thing that comes to mind is cost,but beleive me,itd the quickest way to traverse this land with numerous points to stop for a break.What follows are sites for you to check out:

www.greenstop24it/index
www.campeggi.com/en/index

The latter will give you detailed caravan sites to explore for whichever region you so wish.The first one will give you details of free (yes) stopover farms etc.located off the autostradas to break your trip too.
Dont be afraid to pick correspondents  brains (mine included) to help you along.
Good planning to you.   

[T D]

Daydreamer & Nick,Thank you very much for your replie's & links which I have found very usefull Any further replies & info would be gratefully appreciated   T D

[Davidc]

Tony It is few years since we did that and we also went to San Felice Del Benaco althought we went to look at the site you are going to. I have a trip diary with all details I could let you haveif you are interested. if so if you pm me with an e address i can attach the word document

[Beejay]

Don't miss Lago di Iseo.  Excellent site here Camping Punta d'Oro

[Rostrevor]

Having looked at the C&CC itinerary, we have stayed on all the sites used.   They are all in the Magic Italy combine so when at San Francesco, ask for the Magic Italy book and discount card for 10% off the next sites.
If you wish to travel as far as Sorrento, then Camping Santa Fortunata, again Magic Italy site,  may suit your needs.
Route we use to Italy is toll free to Switzerland.  Dunkerque, Lille, Luxembourg, Nancy, Epinal, Mulhouse. Basle.   You can opt for travel not using motorways through Switzerland but we have never done so.  £40 for two vignettes. Then toll roads in Italy to Desanzano.

[Beejay]

You can opt for travel not using motorways through Switzerland but we have never done so.  £40 for two vignettes.

Almost impossible to avoid the Swiss toll as expressways are included.  Unless you are very confident about being able to navigate minor  roads, pay up.
And don't forget ALL types of speed camera detectors are illegal, even if locked in the boot.

[T D]

Thanks once again folks. Rostrevor,Beejay, I was under the impression from mappy & michelin that the swiss vignett was €55 each for the car & for the van??
Now have to find out how to remove the speed camera facility from my Tom Tom & replace them when out of switzerland, But as an afterthought if swiss camera's are not on it is it still illegal??

[Rostrevor]

Thanks once again folks. Rostrevor,Beejay, I was under the impression from mappy & michelin that the swiss vignett was €55 each for the car & for the van??

The Vignettes are 40 SFr each (around £20 at current exchange rates) one for each, car and trailer.   Swiss don't like the Euro so their exchange rates are not very good.

[Evans of Sprot]

Tony,We went to San Felice Del Banaco - a few K's from where you are going - and I can say the journey to that part of Italy is great...we went over the swiss mountains via Moloja pass and it was lovely.

The Moloja Pass was the highspot (sorry) of a holiday I had two years ago (apart from the company of the good Doc):

[Green Squirrel]

All information gratefully received!  We are just starting our planning for a 2 plus month tour starting end April when we hope to get right down to the toe!

We know Italy well from our days as tour driver and manager as well as several car trips  BUT have never ever camped - we picked up the ACSI book and disc at the NEC as well as the CC guides - must say the sites seem expensive when compared to France and Iberia, or are there municipal type sites?

Look forward to suggestions re INTERNET web sites etc.

[sonjaf]

We dont go through Switzerland, we travel down France and through the Frejus tunnel.

Love Italy, we havent had a problem with the Italian drivers, but then have been mainly on motorways with the van on the back.
Elsewhere you just be careful like driving anywhere

Just love the fact that there are service stations every 5 minutes, to stop for a quick expresso coffee and be in your way

We were gobsmacked the first time we went, really didnt expect it to be so mountainous, but of course, thats why its still there jutting out into the med.

Fantastic times, great memories, ask the waiters what they recommend and dont have lasagne, spag bol etc, they are just tourist meals, go for something different, pizzas with seafood or goats cheese, pastas with seafood too

Just ask, half the fun  

Also dont expect all of them to speak English, there are not so many English speaking Italians around

[T D]

thank you all again for your advice

TD

[andy macdonald]

I thought the sites were very pricey when we went down to Venice in a Hymer Motorhome 3 years ago
The 2 that we stopped at were 25 pounds per night  
In France at the time it was 9 pounds
The site in Mestra was fab and I would go there again any time

The Italian drivers are all mad and love to travel only 6 inches behind you (There just being friendly)

I drove from Monaco along the coast road which was great I have never been through so many tunnels and over so many VERY HIGH bridges
Then we got onto the main route down to Mestra (cant remember the rd no)
And we passed a line of trucks that was miles long I have never seen so many lorries in one place

On the return trip we took the tunnel at Turin back into France and made the mistake of going through with the trucks
It cost 50 euros and all the diesel fumes smoked us out

Find out when the cars go through as I think it is very much cheaper

The toll on the motorways were no where near as bad as I thought they were going to be

Andy