1149 driving from UK to Piemonte

There was a good long thread here: [url]http://www.italymag.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=100&highlight=driving[/url]
and although the question was raised in relation to Abruzzo there were still some good routes and other suggestions.

We've not done the whole drive yet but we did a good portion of one through France and down through Piemonte this spring. Apart from cost of the French motorways the journey was very pleasant and easy. I think if I were going to do a road journey a few times in a year I'd try the suggested route through Switzerland.

Report back how the journey went once you do it.

The journey through Holland, Germany and Switzerland was good, with superb scenery, we stopped off in Germany overnight, and again in Modena, as we were travelling down to Le Marche, the only "downside" was the charge of €30 for Swiss taxes, but, really, the scenery was worth it...and, that is an annual charge.

[QUOTE=luandem]Hello, haven't posted any questions here before, although have looked through some of the info.....

Myself, husband and two young daughters travel frequently to Piemonte (Nizza Monferrato, near Asti) - having developed a fairly robust dislike to the process of flying (good old Ryanair) we have decided, for various reasons, to give driving a go.....does anyone have any helpful suggestions, routes (we have checked our the viamichelin site) etc.

many thanks[/QUOTE]

i run a pda with viamichelin, be weary,as it tells me to go though paris!.
if you are going to asti, then the straightest and most convenient route
if you are crossing from calais or bolonge [speedferries really cheap]is
to head for aosta, via michelin heads you to grenoble and toward the
friejus tunnel [closed]

just after dijon you have a choice to stay on the autoroute and go through
mont blanc, or you can divert [good a roads] from dole to pontilier to lausanne and do either the grand san bernards tunnel, or go over the top!
time wise mont blanc maybe and i say maybe 20 mins quicker, but the views
are not as pretty.
anyway your journey should be a good experience so take your time looking
at all your options and enjoy your holiday.

ahhh, replies !! this is fun isn't it (not used forum before !!) Many thanks for your responses - I will certainly post details of our experience after our trip (likely to be October now......) not quite sure how two young children will take to the very long journey, but hopefully it will all be part of the adventure !! I will also have a look at the other suggested thread Licciana - thanks

[QUOTE=luandem]not quite sure how two young children will take to the very long journey, but hopefully it will all be part of the adventure !! [/QUOTE]

Good luck. We've driven several times from England to near Cassino with our....4! children. On the whole it's not too bad. Lots of activities, and driving as late as possible before parking up for a sleep. We've invested in a telly and play DVD's which helps tremendously :)

[I]friejus tunnel [closed][/I]

Just to say that the Frejus tunnel is now open. Our friends came through it
last week. You may find that it closes during the night though - maybe the web site would tell you ?
We usually drive from Turin (I dont like flying) - however we do the Paris/Lyon/Frejus route, because we have to get the boat at St Malo.
Karen

[QUOTE=suzanne & jeff]Good luck. We've driven several times from England to near Cassino with our....4! children. On the whole it's not too bad. Lots of activities, and driving as late as possible before parking up for a sleep. We've invested in a telly and play DVD's which helps tremendously :)[/QUOTE]

Hi Suzanne & Jeff,

Thanks for your reply....it raised another issue I had been thinking about....is it fairly manageable to do the journey in one go (ie with regular stops, snooze if necessary) ?? or would you recommend stopping over somewhere ?? If sensible, would prefer to do it in one go, to reduce time getting to Italy, and of course save cost of hotels.... there will be my husband and me to share driving (he can do the tricky bits !!).

Had also considered the DVD option....5 & 6 year old to entertain (just the two mind...!)

My name is Natasha by the way.....look forward to any replies

thanks

Autoroute calculates 9 hours driving from the Ferry terminal in France, mostly motorway Reims, Lione,Torino. :)

[QUOTE=luandem]Hi Suzanne & Jeff,

Thanks for your reply....it raised another issue I had been thinking about....is it fairly manageable to do the journey in one go (ie with regular stops, snooze if necessary) ?? or would you recommend stopping over somewhere ?? If sensible, would prefer to do it in one go, to reduce time getting to Italy, and of course save cost of hotels.... there will be my husband and me to share driving (he can do the tricky bits !!).

Had also considered the DVD option....5 & 6 year old to entertain (just the two mind...!)

My name is Natasha by the way.....look forward to any replies

thanks[/QUOTE]

no reason why you could not do it all at once, bar fuel/toilet and/eating stops. you don't say where in the uk you are going from,or what time you
consider crossing, as if you are 300 miles away from the port, it would
make it a very long day/night to keep your wits about you,to cover such a
distance if you are getting up early or traveling late into the night.

[QUOTE=GeorgeS]Autoroute calculates 9 hours driving from the Ferry terminal in France, mostly motorway Reims, Lione,Torino. :)[/QUOTE]

Hi Natasha,

Because we go about 2 hours south of Rome we do tend to stop once Jeff gets tired at the bottom of France or top of Italy. We park up in one of the busier 'pitstops' and have a rest for 5-6 hours. We really wouldn't want to leave our car full to the brim whilst we stay in a hotel - plus all the expense of course! :D

If it only takes 9 hours we would do it in one hit. My brother lives in south west France - 10 hours from Calais, and that's quite manageable.

Definately invest in a small tv and dvd, it'll be worth it's weight in gold! :D

Suzanne
x

[QUOTE=giovanni].... you don't say where in the uk you are going from ....[/QUOTE]

Our start point is just outside Cambridge - so only a couple of hours from tunnel / ferry...and 'home' (in state of renovation but with parents living - permanently resident in Italy - nextdoor !) is about 1 - 1.5 hours from Turin. When looking at tunnel crossing times, had assumed we would be taking one of the very early morning ones...3am, 5am etc....

Suzanne...will definitely be investing in 'in-car' DVD player !

[QUOTE=luandem]Our start point is just outside Cambridge - so only a couple of hours from tunnel / ferry...and 'home' (in state of renovation but with parents living - permanently resident in Italy - nextdoor !) is about 1 - 1.5 hours from Turin. When looking at tunnel crossing times, had assumed we would be taking one of the very early morning ones...3am, 5am etc....

Suzanne...will definitely be investing in 'in-car' DVD player ![/QUOTE]

in that case you will not have any problems getting to your destination
on the same day. by 7pm you should be having you supper.

[QUOTE=giovanni]in that case you will not have any problems getting to your destination
on the same day. by 7pm you should be having you supper.[/QUOTE]

sounds excellent, can't wait !! :D

[QUOTE=Karen][I]friejus tunnel [closed][/I]

Just to say that the Frejus tunnel is now open....Karen[/QUOTE]

...PS - thanks for note about tunnel by the way.... ?? closes at night ?? hadn't considered that one....will look at website, although haven't really decided upon route yet....

Hi Natasha,

Lucky you! Nizza Monferrato is a wonderful little town. I remember visiting in autumn in the early 80s and experiencing [I]tartufi bianchi[/I] for the first time (and afterwards going on a truffle hunt with a truffler hunter named Cesco and his [I]cane bastardo[/I] named 'Beel')...

We have driven many, many times to Italy, most usually by way of the Mont Blanc tunnel. If you are starting very early in the morning and going through the tunnel, then you will make your destination comfortably and safely. But make sure and take frequent breaks - French motorways have the best [I]'aires'[/I] - not the autoroute stops but picnic areas with [I]jeux d'enfant[/I] playgrounds, tables, toilets etc.

We travel from the West Country, so we'd most usually either drive to the Channel Tunnel or (before it was built) cross to Britanny or Normandy. A good place for us to make for is Beaune (always nice to be in a wine town). There is a great campsite there as well as in nearby Meursault, the latter located amidst the vineyards of the Côte d'Or. From there, it's but a hop, skip and a jump through the Mont Blanc tunnel the next day.

If you want to avoid the horrendous expense of French motorways, there are alternative routes that will take you through Belgium and Germany.

Or if you want to take your time, you can plan a more leisurely circuit on minor roads and Routes Nationales. In 1997 I cycled from Devon to Venice on minor roads - we crossed from Poole to Cherbourg, passed through the verdant countryside of Normandy down to the Loire, continued upriver (south) for a hundred miles or so to south of Sancerre, then cut across the Massif Central to the Beaujolais (our route was planned around great wine!). We cycled past the Frejus Tunnel entrance on to the Col de Mont Cenis, over the Alps, then down, down, down into Italy, and on to Alba to stay with winegrower friends in Barolo before continuing our journey to Venice.

So whether going the direct route, or the leisurely route from the UK to Italy, have a safe trip and make the drive through France part of your holiday break.

All best

Marc

[QUOTE=Marc Millon]..... In 1997 I cycled from Devon to Venice on minor roads .....Marc[/QUOTE]

Hi Marc - thanks for your nice, informative reply ! That is one LONG bike ride !!

We have fallen for Nizza and surrounding area also - talking of 'winegrowers' my parents have just under two hectares of Barbera vineyard, which they manage themselves - as I'm sure you know, the area they live means they are surrounded by suppliers of fantastic wines (and they are pleased to be selling their grapes to an excellent producer !) - they only make wine for their own personal consumption, which we are obviously happy to help with !

Am encouraged to hear that the drive down is reasonably manageable, as at first it sounds a little daunting.....would like to make it a regular in preference to flying.....more flexibility (can't pretend am too keen on the whole airport / flight experience either...)

kind regards

Natasha

[What route did you take. I am finding it hard to get a map up from AA. Any hints would be welcome - I am told France is a no no ?? Janet

[QUOTE=McCarraher][What route did you take. I am finding it hard to get a map up from AA. Any hints would be welcome - I am told France is a no no ?? Janet[/QUOTE]

try via michelin. you can use it to make any type of route.

Moved to : Italiauncovered.co.uk

[QUOTE=Oneto15]
CALAIS - ST OMER - ARRAS - ST QUENTIN - LAON - REIMS - CHALONS SUR MARNE - VITRY LE FRANCOIS - ST DIZIER - CHAUMONT - LANGRES - GRAY - BESANCON - PONTARLIER - JOUGNE - VALLORBE - SWISS BORDER - ORBE - (SWISS M/WAY) - LAUSANNE - VEVEY - MONTREUX - MARTIGNY - SION - SIERRE - (A/ROAD) - VISP - BRIG - THEN VIA SIMPLON PASS INTO ITALY AT ISELLE - DOMODOSSOLA - STRESA/LAKE MAGGIORE.[/QUOTE]

We are trying this route for the first time in 2 weeks time, down to Lake Orta [near lake Maggiore] - looking forward to it. [and having two weeks in our place in the hills]

We're doing it the very easy way - Hopping over to Arras on a Friday evening [Sea France - £68 return] [This avoids an early start from home if we travel down the next day], then overnight in Besancon on Saturday night. Both stops at Mercure Hotels, costing about £60 - £70 per room per night, inc b/fast

Coming back, we'll do it with only one stop - overnight in the Holiday Inn Resort near Troyes - we've stayed there before, fantastic food, great rooms, and if you book over the internet you can get a double room plus breakfast for about £60 [almost half price].

We normally do the Calais - Belgium - Luxemburg - Metz - Nancy - Mulhouse - Switzerland route, but we like to make the journey part of the holiday, and variety is the spice of life [and I'm fed up with pathetic traffic management in Swiss tunnels and border crossings]

Moved to : Italiauncovered.co.uk

The 30 euros is for a calender year.Put the little sticker in front window.

I use to have to drive regularly from Birmingham to Turin or Milan.
Pressure of work meant we had to get there without an overnight stop or any lengthy break.
We could do Turin in 19 hours and Milan in 21 and unless we arrived in the evening we often had to do a days work straight after. These were crazy days for me, I was younger and had someone to share the driving with.
I wouldn't recommend driving straight through with a family. No matter how much you prepare you will get tired, and it's not worth the risk of falling asleep at the wheel.
On the few occasions when we had a customer with us and we couldn't go straight through we would pull of the autoroute somewhere in France and find a place to stay overnight - totally unplanned and great fun.

Colin.

Hi Natasha

We drove to Piemonte in March, to San Marzano Oliveto very near Nizza. Unfortunately we encountered horrendous traffic and were sat on the motorway in Lyon for hours due to blizzard like conditions! We left Calais at 6am and finally got there at 11pm! A very long drive for my other half, I was sat in the back with our 4 month old baby! We went through the Frejus tunnel about 10pm so obviously it was open at night then but best to check I guess.

When are you going? Have a great time, I am envious as we loved the area. Are going back next year with the intention of buying a property so watch this space!

Regards

Daniela

[QUOTE=daniela26]Hi Natasha

We drove to Piemonte in March, to San Marzano Oliveto very near Nizza. Unfortunately we encountered horrendous traffic and were sat on the motorway in Lyon for hours due to blizzard like conditions! We left Calais at 6am and finally got there at 11pm! A very long drive for my other half, I was sat in the back with our 4 month old baby! We went through the Frejus tunnel about 10pm so obviously it was open at night then but best to check I guess.

When are you going? Have a great time, I am envious as we loved the area. Are going back next year with the intention of buying a property so watch this space!

Regards

Daniela[/QUOTE]

Hello Daniela

Fancy that - San Marzano is two minutes away from us, we are actually based just outside Nizza !! Spent many visits at SMO and know the area well.....feel free to contact me via e-mail if you want any info relating to your possible pending purchase in the area - my parents moved there permanently just over a year ago ...and we also looked long and hard at the prospect of buying / moving permanently.....suspect we will have all dealt with some of the same people !

We are driving down in October with our two young girls - usually fly to Genoa (and last time Turin) - but really want to give the driving a go....was Frejus a quicker route than Monte Bianco ?? or just preference ? Have yet to sit down and plan a detailed route....

cheers

Natasha

[QUOTE=luandem]Hello, haven't posted any questions here before, although have looked through some of the info.....

Myself, husband and two young daughters travel frequently to Piemonte (Nizza Monferrato, near Asti) - having developed a fairly robust dislike to the process of flying (good old Ryanair) we have decided, for various reasons, to give driving a go.....does anyone have any helpful suggestions, routes (we have checked our the viamichelin site) etc.

many thanks[/QUOTE]

luandem,
whats the problem with Ryanair?
The reason I ask is that I have never flown with them before but next year it looks like I may have to use them if I want to visit Pisa.I have used Easyjet loads and in the main they were fine.

cslogg

[QUOTE=cslogg]luandem,
whats the problem with Ryanair?
The reason I ask is that I have never flown with them before but next year it looks like I may have to use them if I want to visit Pisa.I have used Easyjet loads and in the main they were fine.

cslogg[/QUOTE]

Hello there,

There is nothing in particular wrong with Ryanair - it is basic, cheap 'n' cheerful transport !! It is just that having been making frequent trips to Italy (using Ryanair) for the last couple of years, I have become increasingly less keen on the whole flying experience !!! (which happened to centre around Ryanair !!). I daresay we will continue to fly in the future from time to time, and given that Ryanair offer such cheap flights, we are likely to use them again. We have two small children - if you are lucky they try to board people with kids first - however this doesn't apply everywhere - so my biggest dislike is the SURGE that happens as soon as one person looks like they might be forming a queue !! Otherwise it is first come first served with the seating, so if you are on your own, not really problem - but with two little ones, don't really like the general crush / trying to hang on to two kids plus baggage thing...

Just personal choice....thought we'd give the driving a try to see if it is preferrable / more flexible.

cheers

Just to add to all other comments re driving to Italy, I have just come back. The route was suggested "ViaMichelin", past Reims, Strasbourg, Gotthard tunnel, Milan and so on. French motorways were fantastic, but Switzerland seemed to be one big set of roadworks - and cost E30 hoghway tax! (I did a similar route 3 years ago, and it wasn't so bad). We took the 6.30am Eurotunnel crossing, and arrived at around 10.30pm - 2 drivers, 3-4 stops along the way. So, 14 and a half hours incl. stops. "ViaMichelin" suggested just under 12 hours.

If we do it again, we will probably stop at Strasbourg or somewhere half way to break the journey and make it more enjoyable - trouble is, living in N.Lincolnshire, the journey to Folkestone is just as bad.......

[QUOTE=JulieD] We took the 6.30am Eurotunnel crossing, and arrived at around 10.30pm - 2 drivers, 3-4 stops along the way. So, 14 and a half hours incl. stops........[/QUOTE]

We have an early morning tunnel crossing booked for next Sunday .... planning to take route via Mont Blanc tunnel I believe (husband has been studying map books !). How tiring did you find it ?? we will share driving also -still hoping to do journey in one go but will stopover if feeling too tired ....

Am looking forward to it....kid's can't wait, they want to know if it will be as long as driving to the coast !! (hour and half away !! have tried to explain !!)

We normally take the bel/lux/stras/swiz/milan route and no matter how fast we drive or how many driver changes never hit the estimated route times! We tend to drive down in one hit if only going to the north but take a big break if going further south.Came back from Genoa two weeks ago journey time to Dunquerqe via the route I think you are taking 14 hrs(including insane diversion directions in lux) Kids will probably sleep most of the way ours used to anyway! good luck it's a great trip!

[QUOTE=luandem]We have an early morning tunnel crossing booked for next Sunday .... planning to take route via Mont Blanc tunnel I believe (husband has been studying map books !). How tiring did you find it ?? we will share driving also -still hoping to do journey in one go but will stopover if feeling too tired ....

Am looking forward to it....kid's can't wait, they want to know if it will be as long as driving to the coast !! (hour and half away !! have tried to explain !!)[/QUOTE]

It was fine until the last 3 hours - when it was dark and had started to rain heavily. It would be good to have a possible stop-over place in mind, just in case you need to have a break.

Have a great trip...

Just a thought, if you are not taking too much gear, have you considered the train ???

Best Wishes :)

[QUOTE=Rafey]Just a thought, if you are not taking too much gear, have you considered the train ???

Best Wishes :)[/QUOTE]

...hmmm, unfortunately we usually seem to have quite a lot of 'gear' !! although travelling light is a nice idea it never really seems to happen - must be the three females in the family !

Will see how the driving goes - who knows, trains may sound like a marvellous alternative by the time we have been on the road for twelve hours !!

will report back on my return

Natasha