1433 somewhere to stay between Naples and Bari?

I am no way sleeping in a van, do you think this is the Committments and my name is Alice? :eek:

...this is gonna be hysterical...they're rowing already !!!!!

Have you made your badges yet for the party !!!!! You can make a silly hat if you want !!!! :D

many road trips in many vans, I would say that the worst thing is waking up in the morning with someone else's condensation dripping onto/into your face. when you've a dozen people to choose from it's a bit shocking!!! Two is ok!

That's why we need a hotel!

Specially as Lyn keeps telling us how COLD it is at night.

[QUOTE=Equilibrio]many road trips in many vans, I would say that the worst thing is waking up in the morning with someone else's condensation dripping onto/into your face. when you've a dozen people to choose from it's a bit shocking!!! Two is ok![/QUOTE]

Just crash in the van, leave the windows cracked open a bit to stop the condensation and make sure you have a decent sleeping bag.........no probs!!

Well I suppose we could take the wrapping off the matresses, and down a large demi-john of primativo...no no what are you guys doing to me!

Listen I'm an old lady used to room service and CNN, by back has to be in some kind of shape to move the thousands of wretched Ikea flat packs. :eek:

Erm less of the old lady if you please, I was only born 13 months after you and I still feel a 35 year old ;) , sorry meant to say I still 35 years old.............. :rolleyes:

35 on my cv!!! :eek:

[QUOTE=elainecraig]Well I suppose we could take the wrapping off the matresses, and down a large demi-john of primativo...no no what are you guys doing to me!

Listen I'm an old lady used to room service and CNN, by back has to be in some kind of shape to move the thousands of wretched Ikea flat packs. :eek:[/QUOTE]

I'm with you on this - give me the hotel and room service! On the other hand, sufficient vino and I suppose I could sleep anywhere!

[QUOTE=KateG]We're driving from Puglia to Naples with a van to load up on cheapo Ikea stuff. Well, you have to start somewhere when you have an empty villa.

It's quite a drive, so we're thinking of stopping overnight on the way back - somewhere within easy reach of the A16. My main concern is
1. somewhere that does involve a death ride up a narrow lane in a small town as I'll be driving a big fat van, and
2. somewhere secure to park.

I'm thinking maybe a country hotel with it's own parking, rather than anywhere in a town. Can anyone help? At this stage, cost is no object!

Otherwise, we're sleeping in the van[/QUOTE]

165 miles each way. should be able to to eachway in 3 hours.
you couldbuy even more stuff and sod the hotel.

I agree, If you can both drive, set off early, take turns for the journey there and back and you could be back before dark, and if your really quick, have all flat pack furniture up and in use. :p

We're actually reckoning, with stops for food, it'll take us more like 4-5 hours (I am driving slowly in a van, remember! Then we've got to spend about 5 hours buying up the whole of Ikea. And I'm the only driver!

So I just don't fancy it all in a day. Anyway, we've found a hotel just outside avellino on the way back. Perfect.

I bet your getting really excited, I can imagine you now sat with a bottle of wine, Ikea cataloge completely dog eared and pen and paper out making notes of all the things to buy once you get there. I only live 10 mins from Warrington Ikea here and love it. Have you tried their £1 full breakfasts on Sunday mornings, we dont go for the furniture, just the food, and the meat balls in tomato sauce mmmmmmmmmmmmm :p

Are you buying the black wrought iron bed on the front page. I love that bed and am kicking myself black and blue at the moment. Makro a few weeks ago (do you have that in London) had some huge black wrought iron bed frames in at £49.99 for the double and £59.99 for the king size and I didn't get them because at the time Neal was flying over with us but has since bought a new van and over the next 6 months will be making numerous trips. As I need 5 double beds I am distraught. Instead of the £250 I could have paid I am now looking at £650 for the Ikea ones. Oh well its only money (may have to start working full time ....sob :( )

What date are you going?

[QUOTE=KateG]We're actually reckoning, with stops for food, it'll take us more like 4-5 hours (I am driving slowly in a van, remember! Then we've got to spend about 5 hours buying up the whole of Ikea. And I'm the only driver!

So I just don't fancy it all in a day. Anyway, we've found a hotel just outside avellino on the way back. Perfect.[/QUOTE]

be carefull on those hills, or is that on the avellino to benevento road?

We have booked a commercial hotel near to the motorway, and with easy access and large carpark so we can hit the hills first thing the next day.

I am beside myself with excitment I woke up at 6am this morning and couldnt get to sleep. The Ikea beds are the ones we want! And they do a matching set of wrought iron chairs and dining table too which look lovely. We want our villa to look different than our London, converted church roof flat, which looks very sparse and white (a neighbour said it must be like living in a fridge...charming). So orche and burnt orange paint, wrought iron, spot lit buddahs (not me!), morrocan lights and colourful throws with a rattan sofa :D :D :D

Do you want anything from Ikea?

[QUOTE=paula hampson]... Have you tried their £1 full breakfasts on Sunday mornings, we dont go for the furniture, just the food, and the meat balls in tomato sauce mmmmmmmmmmmmm :p

Are you buying the black wrought iron bed on the front page. I love that bed and am kicking myself black and blue at the moment. .... [/QUOTE]

Paula,

We're 5 minutes from Ikea Edinburgh and often pop in for a luvvly hot dog & Lingonberry juice!! Haven't seen the £1 brekkie yet so we might go & investigate soon... :D

Not sure which bed is on the front page but we bought a black king size wrought iron bed from Ikea 3 months ago - and after visiting Ikea last weekend we found the same bed over £30 cheaper.... argh!! Still, it's a very nice looking bed and we got a decent mattress with it! Didn't check if that's cheaper now too though! ;)

Enjoy buying your beds! There's only one Ikea after all...

Stephanie

[QUOTE=paula hampson]I
Are you buying the black wrought iron bed on the front page. I love that bed and am kicking myself black and blue at the moment. Makro a few weeks ago (do you have that in London) had some huge black wrought iron bed frames in at £49.99 for the double and £59.99 for the king size and I didn't get them because at the time Neal was flying over with us but has since bought a new van and over the next 6 months will be making numerous trips. As I need 5 double beds I am distraught. Instead of the £250 I could have paid I am now looking at £650 for the Ikea ones. Oh well its only money (may have to start working full time ....sob :( )

[/QUOTE]

I don't know how true it is, but have often been told that some of the IKEA prices are lower in Italy than in the UK.If you are driving a van down through Italy it may be cheaper to buy the beds in one of the branches you will be passing en route. In the latest Italian catalogue there is a 'Noresund' iron bed frame, the price is E169 - I have not been in a UK Ikea recently so do not know if it is the same style as the UK version.
[url]www.ikea.it[/url] will give all the details.
Happy shopping
Regards
Anne2

Oops, have just read the description of the bed, it is not black, but dark brown, so may not be what you want anyway!
Sorry
Anne2

Just got back from Ikea Warrington and got a new catalogue. Had a quick look at that bed anne2, comes in black and brown, and its the same one. I love it to bits and they've got a 20% offer on so the bed frame is now down to £87. I don't think thats to bad so I'll send Neal round this week for a few. They also do a very nice black wrought iron day bed which is also on my list. I could have spent a fortune today but I had all 4 kids with me so the car was already fit to burst. Thanks for the offer Elaine, that was very kind but as Neals now driving down I can get some stuff here and shuv in on the van. I did buy some fab cushions today which I begrudge as I make that sort of stuff for a living but I couldn't resist

Paula, we leave tomorrow morning! Estate Agent has the money - said he wqas looking at holiday brocures on the proceeds eek. Sign for the villa on Monday, sleep the night in a sleeping bag in the villa then off to Napoli.

Can't believe it's finally happening.

Kate (& Elaine)
(Keeping my fingers crossed about the road near avellino)

you jammy things, I've got to book some more flights tonight and Neals ferry crossing for next Sunday. The guy's (and wife) supplying the new windows and doors are actually coming out to fit them so I can't wait myself. I can't stop shopping though and have already bought loads of stuff. I think Neal had better trade this van in for a huge truck. ;)

Good luck once again and take care with the driving

Love to hear how you get on with the new windows and doors - it's one of the many things on our list to do! May have to get the contact off you!

[QUOTE=paula hampson] Had a quick look at that bed anne2, comes in black and brown, and its the same one. [/QUOTE]

Good choice, it is lovely. In the Italian catalogue there's no mention of it being available in black here in Italy so buy now!! and with such an offer you have the perfect excuse to spend the 'savings' on other things!!! I also love the day bed and would dearly love to have the space for one - perhaps one day if we ever get around to converting the old garage!
Happy shopping
Anne2