alan h's activity

Questions Asked

I'm planning my route down for a months visit in July.

Mon, 06/04/2012 - 08:13

I logged on this morning to my local webcam, to look at the snow on the ski slopes.

Thu, 01/05/2012 - 04:47

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14995588Loved the note about changing the locks!

Wed, 09/21/2011 - 09:20

I have just got back from my latest trip to Italy, and thought some of you might be interested to hear about a Swiss hotel that we stayed in on the way down.It is the Hotel Engel in Stans [near to Lake Lucerne, a few minutes from the motorway

Mon, 07/25/2011 - 05:21

For many years now I have used the likes of 'mappy', 'via michelin' etc for calculating different routes down to Italy - for us its a part of our holiday, so we don't always want to take the quickest/shortest route down.  We prefer to vary the rou

Wed, 06/01/2011 - 09:25

Today I received an email from the Swiss Travel Centre.  The relevant portion is;- "The GBP price for a Vignette will increase from 01 June 2011 and we wanted to give you the opportunity to purchase this years’ Vignette before the pric

Mon, 05/23/2011 - 09:45

I've just driven down and back for a [much too] short holiday, and feel that an update on how fuel prices look on the way down would be useful to fellow travellers The following is a good site for seeing what prices have been like  

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 05:02

P&O have introduced a new ferry on the Dover - Calais route - its called the Spirit of Britain. They seem to have a special offer on at the moment [on this ship only] I've just booked a return crossing [car + 2] for £60 - significantly less th

Sat, 01/29/2011 - 06:08

Does Tomato soup exist in Italy? We were feeling a bit under the weather when we went out to Italy 2 weeks ago.  As part of the R&R process, I fancied some soup, and looked around the supermarket.  There were lots of different soups, but I rea

Mon, 01/24/2011 - 08:29

The route/timings for next years Giro d'Italia have been posted http://www.steephill.tv/giro-d-italia/   My son rang me up to inform me that the route passes about 100m away from

Sat, 11/06/2010 - 07:04

Comments posted

Tue, 12/16/2014 - 04:57

My route;-Dunkirk - Lille - ['skirting Namur'] - Luxembourg [Fill fuel tanks here] -----------Belgium's motorways [free] are always being 'mended', so there may be some [usually minor] delaysLuxembourg - Metz - Nancy ----------all free motorways Nancy - Colmar  ---  All free - some motorway/dual carriageway, then some basic roads to Colmar Colmar - Mulhouse - into Germany    ----------all free motorway  Down the autobahn [free] towards Basle then turn off towards Lorrach and on into Switzerland  [this is my Basel Bypass, with no wait at the border]  So far - NO CHARGES Through Switzerland [Gotthard Tunnel or Pass] - only cost is the Swiss Motorway Vignette - I buy this at the services on the German autobahn [at Bad Bellingham]  Petrol in Switzerland is usually cheaper than Italy - pop off of the motorway to fill up Then pay as yo go on the  Italian autostrada - and beware the 'Average Speed Cameras'   

Sat, 11/22/2014 - 06:07

Well ........................."You will either have to change the plugs or use an adaptor. ...........found the answer in purchasing a few of the multi outlet strips and then only one plug per three or four appliances need to be changed."Remember - if you use a multi point adaptor [with a changed plug] you shouldn't exceed 3KW load on the adaptor [assuming a 13 amp fuse]. 

Sat, 11/22/2014 - 03:43

 Hopefully someone will make a personal recommendation, but if they don't - If you Google "Wedding Planner Venice Italy", you'll find several options.

Fri, 11/21/2014 - 11:26

Try this ......................... http://www.rome-airport.info/in.html

Wed, 11/19/2014 - 13:23

Well ........................"Some articles refer to a pending ban on toasters and hair dryers as well"Having had the trip switch go when my daughter and her friends all 'fired up' their hair straighteners - I'mm all for the banAnd remember - its not a ban on toasters, hairdryers etc, its a ban on high power equiment. As an example - Italian toaster at my place 700 watts - english toaster back home 1800 Watts.  Only benefit - quicker toast

Wed, 11/19/2014 - 11:30

There are lawyers in the UK that deal with Italian Law - do a 'Google'

Wed, 11/19/2014 - 08:22

Whoever you use, make sure they are local to the area, so they know how the Comune works.  Using an 'outsider' is a recipe for disaster I'd recommend using a Geometra

Wed, 11/19/2014 - 06:02

If you're talking about the ban on 'high power' appliances - good idea, bring it on.  [Already applied to Vacuum Cleaners]

Tue, 11/18/2014 - 04:33

I agree - if its a relatively 'simple' purchase you don't need a lawyer - but you probably do need someone at the Notary meeting who can translate what is said. The Notary looks after your interests as well as the seller'sWhen I bought my place, I took the advice of Italian friends and didn't use a lawyer - all went well Good Luck