In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Shortest, cheapest and fastest route- Calais-Reims-Strasbourg-Basel-Gottard Tunnel-Lugano-Como! If you are crossing that early you might find yourself in Como that day! It usually takes 9 hours from Calais (obeying speed limits). Maybe try the A roads instead if you want to take your time.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
As always in these type of threads I suggest [url=http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/int/tpl/hme/MaHomePage.htm]ViaMichelin: street map, maps, map UK, route finder, route planner, directions, road map, route map[/url]
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Thank you for the very useful replies. We will need to stop overnight as we both get rather cranky when tired and tend to miss major junctions etc which doesn't get the holiday off to a good start!
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=aries-project;86612]Shortest, cheapest and fastest route- Calais-Reims-Strasbourg-Basel-Gottard Tunnel-Lugano-Como! If you are crossing that early you might find yourself in Como that day! It usually takes 9 hours from Calais (obeying speed limits). Maybe try the A roads instead if you want to take your time.[/quote]
Getting off at reims at jun26 onto n44,fast A road goes past chalons en champagne, finally reaching N4, N4 is ALL dualcarrigeway to nancy and more.
From here the N57 is a mixture of A road and dualcarriageway [with scenary] you then take the n415 to colmar and rejoin the A35 toward basle.
This saves you all the tolls you would pay between riems and strasburg, and 32 miles with the added bonus of far cheaper fuel prices for the loss of mabe 15 to 20 mins,if you indeed drive at a constant 80 mph..
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=aries-project;86612]Shortest, cheapest and fastest route- Calais-Reims-Strasbourg-Basel-Gottard Tunnel-Lugano-Como.............[/quote]
Rather than Calais - Rheims - Strasbourg, loop up into Belguim [near Dunkirk] via Lille, then on to Luxembourg on good motorways [passing Charleroi]. Then down onto the Metz, Nancy, Mulhouse, Basle route.
A little longer [not much - and you don't pay any tolls, saving time as well as money] and it lets you fill up with petrol in Luxembourg [cheapest on the route] -at services just after you enter, or just before you leave the country. Also fill up again in Switzerland before entering Italy
Done this route [and most others] several times - still think its the best. The only 'charge' before Italy is the Swiss vignette [approx £20 online from Swiss Tourist Board]
Overnight stop? - with your early start, I'd suggest you get a good breakfast [and strong coffee] soon after leaving Calais. and you should make Nancy early pm.
The Novotel at Nancy Ouest [accor hotels website [url=http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/home/index.shtml]Book a hotel online with Accor Hotels[/url] ] is just off junction 19 and would seem ideal for what you want [we normally use this one]. The food in the restaurant is fine - we always 'eat in' when staying there
You could look for cheaper hotels, but I think you'll benefit from a higher quality one [the accor sites lists budget hotels as well] the hotel restaurant is fine
If you think Nancy is too far - try Metz, and if you want to go further then Mulhouse has lots of Hotels [same website]
Should be an 'easy trip' in the Picasso - we did it many time in the old style renault megan 'people carrier', and had no problems.
Enjoy
.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Thank you all again especially Alan H for the hotel suggestion. Will go and look for that one now.
Moved to : Italiauncovered.co.uk