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

Answer to: Avoiding France
Thu, 10/21/2010 - 07:06

"Why not take some Jerry Cans of Fuel in the trailer....problem solved.." Brilliant idea! - Obvious once someone says it.  However, I don't think you can take filled cans on ferries or through the Channel Tunnel - so fill them in Belgium or Luxembourg

Answer to: Avoiding France
Thu, 10/21/2010 - 04:41

Why not fill up at Dover,  drive via belgium to  luxemburg [cheap plentiful petrol].  Then drive down through France .........Metz - Besancon - Dijon - Annecy ......about 450miles max and into Italy - Near Besancon you are close to the Swiss border - drop the trailer [with someone guarding it] and drive into Switzerland and fill up.   This assumes you have a trailer, and not a 'box van'   Good luck

Mon, 10/18/2010 - 18:40

Not sure if you can get across [or under ]Channel with a towed vehicle - you would need to ask the Ferry/Eurotunnel Operators

Answer to: Caravan/Trailer
Mon, 10/18/2010 - 05:12

..... a 12 foot by 8 foot shed would be big enough to partition off a shower/toilet/handbasin area [approx 8x3] and leave enough room for a bed/settee and a kitchen area - You probably would need some extra insulation, but its 'do-able'

Mon, 10/18/2010 - 04:43

Have you 'Googled' yet?  A quick check on 'second hand left hand drive cars' throws up some dealers that may have what you are looking for

Answer to: Caravan/Trailer
Sun, 10/17/2010 - 13:43

If you need accommodation for 1 person - why not buy a largish garden shed which can still be of use after the house is complete?

Sat, 10/16/2010 - 08:25

"its also something to be aware of that if staying in italy one has to have their presence registered in the comune in which they have accommodation..either owned or rented..  .................. .. again this is an oft ignored law" Have visited Italy at least once a year for 25 years - much more since I bought the house - never registered once - I am a naughty boy

Thu, 10/14/2010 - 09:54

I know some people swear by them, but Snow Socks may not conform to Italian legal requiremenst if used in an area where snow chains should be used in Winter.     Thank God for the edit facility - my original posting was about 'Snow Cocks! - still - brings a whole new meaning to frozen chickens!

Wed, 10/13/2010 - 05:16

you could try using the Italian Yellow Pages http://www.paginegialle.it/    and type in 'parcheggio auto'    and        'trepani' or 'palermo'.   This should throw up a couple of options that might be worth following up.