NEWCASTLE -AMSTERDAM FERRY DRIVING TO LAZIO places to stop and interesting things to view?

10/07/2012 - 08:31

We've just booked a ferry crossing to go out for three weeks over Christmas. The route is Holland,Germany,Switzerland,Italy. The overnight ferry arrives at 9ish at the port of Amsterdam. Our plan is to stop for a coffee somewhere pretty soon after leaving the ferry, long lunch and visiting old haunts in Cologne then an afternoon/evening drive to get us to a nice place to stop for that evening and then push on to friends in Umbria the next day. Any advice about great places to stop for the first evening plus, and throughout the route, interesting things to see and suggestions for good places to stay and eat? We'll have a three year old with us - he's happy traveller but showing him some snow might be a nice Chrsitmassy thing to do! Also any tips about the route in general? Thanks

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"............ Maybe pushing on to Switzerland - Luzerne maybe for the first night if this isn't overly ambitious. .............." Switzerland is expensive to stop in - we've stayed at a few places in and around Lucerne, and I do recommend the Hotel Engel in Stans [a few miles beyond Lucerne, but as quick as driving into Lucerne centre.]        http://www.engelstans.ch/en/Home.html Cologne to Stans is about five to five and a half hour driving - I would avoid the risk of getting caught up in trafffic in Basel by bypassing it using the motorway turn off to Lorrach just before Basel.  The dual carriage way goes straight into Switzerland and doesn't add any distance to the journey.  

I have to say, although I don't know alan h at all, he has consistently recommended superb and detailed locations to stop off at. He should be followed ! Whilst not for your route at the mo, we REALLY enjoyed Bolzano (if you decide to detour a long way around !!) S

Agree with Alan on bypassing Basel - we took his advice when we drove to italy and back in the summer. We stayed at the top of the Gotrthard Pass, but that will presumably be closed by the time you travel down On the way back we broke the journey for a day in Strasbourg - your 3-year-old might like the little tourist train that does a circuit of the old town.  Naf but actually great!

We travel on DFDS from Newcastle to Amsterdam and then onwards to our home near Cassino in Lazio. Regarding the ferry, there are a few tips I would give you. The pillows in the cabins are thin and uncomfortable so we always take our own. The quilt is thin but the cabin is always warm so that isn't a problem.  Take your own toiletries, they don't always supply them. Travelling with a 3 year old I would also suggest you take some food and drink on board with you. Food and drink on the boat are dear, especially if you have drinks in the cocktail/cabaret room.  But I recommend the breakfast which is about 11Euros.  There is a huge buffet breakfast to choose from and ideal to have had a good meal before a long drive ahead.   Watch out regarding drinking alcohol on the ferry because when you arrive in Amsterdam you will be breathalised as you leave the boat. Have a good journey. Wish I was doing the journey for Xmas too. Maralyn