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Topic: Strasbourg to Genoa - Bernard or Gottard?

iksander

03/7/2010 at 12:04pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Vango Diablo 600

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Hi

I am tent camping with a Ford Galaxy, roof box and possibly bikes on a rear towbar rack.

Having been put off by the cost of the MBT, I am planning on coming from the Chunnel, thru Belgium, Luxembourg (fuel up), to overnight at Strasbourg.

In the morning I'd plan to head off to Basel, into Swiss and find my way across the alps, but by which crossing?

I was planning St Gottard, but have heard horror stories of many hours waiting, and I need to get to Levanto on the Riveria by 19.00 to secure my pitch.

We would hit either tunnel about 1-2pm on Sunday 18th July. The Swiss traffic forecast is "yellow" for the southbound approach to the Gottard at that time.

I am also wary of skirting Milan on a Sunday afternoon on that route.

The alternative would be to go further west from Basel to the St Bernard via Bern and Montreux which is 45mins longer and a 33Euro return toll, and then drop down between Turin and Milan to Genoa.

Your thoughts please!

Thanks

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Tim and Cary

03/7/2010 at 12:36pm
Location: Criccieth Gwynedd
Outfit: Buccaneer Commodore

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Hi Iksander

I can't comment on the St Bernard as I've not been that way. Regarding the St Gotthard there is the option of using the St Gotthard Pass. In 2006 we arrived at the entrance to the tunnel at teatime on the last Friday in July. We had been delayed by a puncture and the queues were horrendous.

We checked the CC's "Caravan Europe" book and it said that the St Gotthard Pass was okay for towing and so we took. Although we were towing a twin-axle 'van I found it fine and I'm a fairly cautious person!!! The Pass consists of long reasonable hairpins up and down with a fairly flat stretch in the middle. You should no problem doing it in your car.

Another alternative for you is the Brenner motorway into Austria. You would have to pay the Brenner toll and get a vignette for the Austrian autoroutes but you would not need one for Switzerland. The Austrian vignette usually works out cheaper as you can buy them for shorter periods compared with the Annual only Swiss one. We came home via this route in 2007 and found it fine.

Incidentally in case you were'nt aware it is possible to get to the Swiss border near Basle using non-toll autoroutes in France. We have done that twice travelling south on the autoroutes to near Nancy and then following the N66 through the Ballon de Vosges to Cernary. The N66 is good quality, scenic road.

Hope this helps. Have a good trip.
Tim

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iksander

04/7/2010 at 12:42am
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Thanks Tim, for this advice and elsewhere

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iksander

10/8/2010 at 2:56pm
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Reporting back. Went Gotthard tunnel southbound, 40 mins wait. Good weather on the way back so to the Gotthard pass - don't think it saved much time (exit for pass was only shortly before the tunnel entrance) but really spectacular!

I'd imagine you'd need a powerful car to tow a caravan up there though, we were struggling at times with a modestly packed 150HP car

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Tim and Cary

10/8/2010 at 7:45pm
Location: Criccieth Gwynedd
Outfit: Buccaneer Commodore

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Hi Iksander

Glad you had a good trips via the St Gotthard Tunnel and Pass. Well done for trying the Pass we enjoyed it too. I hope the rest of your hols went well.

I'm typing this in our caravan awning on a lovely sunny evening in Omis, Croatia. I can just make out the sea about 50 metres away and I can certainly hear the waves. It's been a bit hot for us today -30C!!!

Best wishes
Tim

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jim oldham

10/8/2010 at 8:31pm
Location: Wigan
Outfit: VWSharan. Sport 442.

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Quote: Originally posted by Tim and Cary on 10/8/2010
Hi Iksander

Glad you had a good trips via the St Gotthard Tunnel and Pass. Well done for trying the Pass we enjoyed it too. I hope the rest of your hols went well.

I'm typing this in our caravan awning on a lovely sunny evening in Omis, Croatia. I can just make out the sea about 50 metres away and I can certainly hear the waves. It's been a bit hot for us today -30C!!!

Best wishes
Tim

-30C ?. Put a vest on lad:you'll catch yer death o cold.

Regards,

Jim.

allie sommerville

10/8/2010 at 9:18pm
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Can recommend the St Bernard Pass if you want to see the Hospice, Museum & Dogs, chair-lift etc., but the tunnel is a far better option!
We lost our brakes on the pass - not an experience I would like to go through again! (have written about this!)

Post last edited on 10/08/2010 21:43:30

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Manty

12/8/2010 at 9:01pm
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Levanto!!! Wnoderful site at various levels down the hillside. Walk to beach. Was there in 1970!!!!! Did not hear ne English voice for 2 weeks!!!! Have a great holiday!!!!

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