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Topic: Trip to Italy

Emollie

18/1/2015 at 10:19pm
Location: Kent
Outfit: Touring Caravan

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Hi all,
We (me, wife, 11&9 yr old) have booked a site in Lake Garda for 2 weeks in August this year.

We plan on 1 stopover on the way down and similarly 1 on the way back.

We're thinking of going through Switzerland. Our journey from Calais to the site is about 760miles. We aim to do between 450-550 on the first day so should be down near Lucerne.

Alternatively we will come down through France and stop near Geneva then go through the Mont-Blanc tunnel.

Can anyone recommend a stop over or help advise on the routes down.

Thanks

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Regards Emollie

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

longcol

18/1/2015 at 10:39pm
Location: Perigord Noir
Outfit: Outwell Oakland XL

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We did the Mont Blanc tunnel last year on the way down to Italy (Florence) and only had to wait about half an hour on a Sunday afternoon whereas there are numerous reports of much longer queues for the tunnels in Switzerland.

Because we'd travelled well over 200 miles to the Channel we did two stops on the way down - the camping municipal in Beaune and then a site in the Val Veny in Italy just through the tunnel at the foot of the Mont Blanc massif - spectacular setting!

Berriow

19/1/2015 at 9:36am
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Emollie, Do you want the shortest route, the fastest route, the cheapest route, the one with best scenery, or the one with least traffic? There are many possibilities. Start with ideas from the ViaMichelin website and follow it up with a big map unfolded on the floor at home.

Overnight stops depend on how late in an evening you want to drive. Some people stop early without bothering to book, but those arriving late at sites like to have a booking. We simply stop when we are tired, without struggling on to a site which we thought we might perhaps get to but is still a long way off. A good site guide in the car is a handy thing to have.

550 miles with a caravan in a day with two children can be a battle. Take care.

Emollie

19/1/2015 at 10:13am
Location: Kent
Outfit: Touring Caravan

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Hi, Thanks for feedback so far.

We are very fortunate as only live 15 mins from the channel tunnel. We aim to catch a 3.30am train to get an early start.
Lucky for us our kids are brilliant in the car and just watch DVD's or sleep. Last year we did Serignan Plage in one go with a couple of hours break after about 500m.

Which of the 2 routes Switzerland or Mont Blanc Tunnel is best, any more ideas of stop over.

Thanks

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Regards Emollie

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

Berriow

19/1/2015 at 12:00pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Emollie on 19/1/2015

Which of the 2 routes Switzerland or Mont Blanc Tunnel is best, any more ideas of stop over.

Of the two the Swiss route is shorter and cheaper, therefore busier and you may well meet hold ups at the St Gotthard tunnel.

The French route is further,and the toll and tunnel costs are higher, but the French motorways can be less busy and the Mont Blanc tunnel may be quieter.

I really can't predict your stopovers -in the past we have encountered fires in the tunnel, strikes at the ferries, road works, accidents blocking the motorways, thirty minute queues at toll booths and motorway petrol stations, as well as punctures and a boiling radiator in our own car.. Take a site guide and see how the day unfolds.

DiPhil

19/1/2015 at 12:07pm
Location: Suffolk
Outfit: Caravan

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Gosh that's quite a trip with only one stop I would not want to do it with a caravan I think at least 2,stops are necessary for safety. We travel between 200 to 250 miles a day with 2 stops. Just two of us with caravan . Looking at Tom Tom Route Planner Calais to Dezanzano (South Lake Garda) is 749 Miles taking 11.05 hours with car so you have to allow another couple of hours with the caravan.
Very expensive going through Swiss as €33 x2 for car and caravan for vignettes plus tolls in France and Italy.

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