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

Mon, 05/05/2014 - 10:09

Just insured my holidy home [but not contents]  with Groupama.  Cost 91 euros.

Sun, 04/27/2014 - 11:56

Amount of IMO may vry year on yearIf house is in two names, both pay 50% of IMO

Fri, 03/14/2014 - 18:18

Stopping off at your Mums overnight isn't 'driving direct' to the MOT - you could leave the car at the test station on the Sunday, and get a taxi to your Mum's Alternatively - can you tax it online and get the disc sent to a UK address?

Fri, 03/14/2014 - 18:13

The " ask the police" website [ https://www.askthe.police.uk/Content/Q600.htm ]says;-Q600: Can I drive my car without an MOT? No, a car must be insured, taxed and have an MOT to be driven on the road. The penalty for driving a car without an MOT is a fine.The most relevant exception to this is if you are driving your vehicle to and from a pre-arranged appointment for an MOT and you must take a direct route to the garage (but the vehicle must be insured). Although you must be aware that most failures of MOTs are offences in their own right so you may be committing other offences, for example defective tyres, brakes, lights, steering, horns etc.However if you are stopped by the police on the way to or from the garage the onus is on you to prove that you had a pre-arranged appointment. Where possible it is always advisable to book your car in for an MOT in good time.There are one or two other very minor exceptions in addition to the above but they do not really apply to the ordinary car driver.  Hope this helps 

Fri, 03/14/2014 - 06:17

Why do you need a Geometra? They don't really deal with house purchase, more renovations/extensionsWhen I bought I didn't use a lawyer - I followed the advice of an Italian friend and left it all to the Notaio [who is 'licenced' by the commune, and is supposed to work for the benefit of both parties]The purchase went smoothly - but it does take time [as does everything in Italy]What does your estate agent advise?

Thu, 03/06/2014 - 05:01

I considered it at our place but the low ceiling height was the 'killer'. Although the height was the same as in my english home, the requirement [possibly locally] was for 3m minimum.[I could have dug out the floor, and underpinned the walls, but it wasn't worth it]

Answer to: Swiss Vignette
Mon, 02/24/2014 - 07:35

The vote against was quite strong - approx 60% voted against the rise.What happens next is unclear - http://driveeuropenews.com/2013/11/24/d-day-der-schweiz/ I'm trying out a 'Swiss non-motorway' route this year - just in case