alan h's activity

Questions Asked

My place is between Lakes Orta and Maggiore, and I have used Flybe in the past to fly from Birmingham to Milan Malpensa.Looking for flights in Sept/Oct, I was disappointed at the high costs - so went to the Easyjet site to look at the Luton to Tur

Thu, 08/20/2009 - 04:27

I have often advocated swinging up through Belgium when travelling from UK to Italy, on the grounds of the cheap petrol in Luxembourg and toll free motorways. I did this route again a couple of weeks ago, but found the roadworks on the Dunkirk-Lil

Tue, 07/28/2009 - 09:32

 I thought it might help people not break the law [or get caught breaking it] to some info on speed cameras they might come across in driving down to Italy. [This really applies to people like me who don’t have a sat-nav that tells them all the in

Sat, 07/04/2009 - 11:03

When driving to Italy, [Lake Maggiore area], from Calais, I almost always drive up towards Dunkirk and then head East towards Luxembourg.   The reasons for doing so is simple:-

    Fri, 07/03/2009 - 12:52

    If you are driving down to Italy, this regularly updated AA site gives you the latest info on fuel prices across Europe.  Its useful for deciding where to fill up. Note - in Luxembourg, [where I always fill up - its worth the minor detour from Cal

    Thu, 07/02/2009 - 05:32

    .     I heard this today on Radio 4.  I take it you already know of tough and bough and cough and dough?Others may stumble, but not you,On hiccough, thorough, lough** and through.Well done!

    Sat, 06/20/2009 - 16:58

    .   I'm considering handing over ownership of my Italian Holiday Home to my kids. Does anyone know

    • How easy this is to do, and how costly?
    • Whether this can be done in the UK - or do I have to do it in Italy?
    Fri, 06/19/2009 - 04:54

    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