alan h's activity

I believe IMU is suspended for a Prima Casa, but not on 2nd homes/holiday homes According to the 'Torygraph' [24/09/2013];-  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/expat-money/10320208/Expats-in-Italy-hit-by-new-taxes-and-reporting-rules.html"The one piece of good news is the scrapping of the controversial municipal real estate tax (IMU) for the 2013 fiscal year for home owners. IMU is an annual levy paid by the property owner.However, second homes or holiday homes will continue to be subject to IMU for 2013. IMU will be replaced by a service tax, which comes into force next year.The service tax is expected to combine all present local taxes, such as waste collections, in one bill. While calculated on a national basis, it should allow more autonomy for municipal authorities to set the tax rates.Italy's Deputy Economy Minister Pier Paolo Baretta confirmed that IMU will be superseded before the end of this year by the service tax.This could spell bad news for expats who rent property in Italy or are provided with accommodation by their employer. Under the IMU regime, the tax was payable by the property owner, not the tenant. With the service bill, however, the burden shifts to the occupant.Currently, tenants are only liable to pay rent, condominium charges, and a refuse tax. ”So it all depends on whether you have a Pima Casa or not  [Usually depends on being 'Resident' in Italy]I must admit that a one-off Service Tax appeals to me - but I bet it will cost more.  And bit of a 'sting' for renters

I think your Comune is Casola - the IMU page [for last year] is;-http://www.comune.casola-in-lunigiana.ms.it/page.asp?IDCategoria=1278&IDSezione=17925&ID=335604It give you the contact details

ICI tax doesn't exist any more - its now IMUNo charge if its 'prima casa' - but second homes and holiday homes have to pay.They don't tell you how much to pay. You can email the Comune, when I do I send in English, with a 'Google Translation'Due in June and December each yearFor my place its about double the ICI tax, and payments are split between Comune and Central Gov'tI pay it through my bank, downloading the on-line form from my Comune website, which calculates the tax to pay [not all do this]Do a 'search' on how to calculate & payThe penalties for late payment are not that bad.You may, initially, need a local help to set things up Good Luck 

There are websites for finding 'empty' trucks that are seeking loads, such as;-  truckspace.co.uk.You put in details of what you want, and truck owners bid for the work if they are going your way. I'd suggest you try Googling to see what other sites are available.  

Winter Tyres, I have never used them on the route.  The roads are 'always' kept clear of snow.Winter tyres are not a legal requirement, but they are 'recommended'. From Swiss Federal website;-  http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/reps/eur/vnor/embosl/nortou.htmlDriving in SwitzerlandIt is not mandatory but highly recommended to equip your car with winter tires between November and April. Your liability might increase should you be involved in a snow induced accident with a car not equipped with winter tires.However, if you drive on roads where snow chains are required, you have to mount chains on at least two driven wheels, even if your car has an active four-wheel drive.You are allowed to drive vehicles up to 3.5 tons with spikes between November 1 and April 30. Your car will require a sticker on the back indicating that you are using tires with spikes. The maximum speed for cars with spikes is 50 km on main roads and 80 km/h on national highway. You are not allowed to drive on highways (exceptions: Thusis – San Bernadino Tunnel – Mesocco, Göschenen – Gotthard Tunnel – Airolo).Alan 

Route through EpinalHave done it many times [until we found the Colmar option]We think Colmar route is easier.  Its a beautiful drive over the mountains on the Epinal route, but the approach to Mulhouse is a long drag through built up areas/villages, and is relatively slow, and pretty boring.I think there are more overtaking oppportunities on the Colmar option, and there seem to be less trucks than on the Epinal route

Careful ........."Or go via the Colmar tunnel instead of over the col. Not toll-free but it's cheap and gets you out near St Die and on to the good road to Nancy"The only problem with this route is that the roads to/from the tunnel, [[the roads here aren't that good], are just as likely to be affected by the 'bad weather' that worried 'tonys'

Avoiding ColmarIf the problem is fog/rain at night, then probably the best bet is to drive up to Strasbourg, avoiding Colmar and the cross mountain roads,  [probably on the German motorway] and then pay to use the autoroute from Strasbourg to Metz. It will cost about 13 Euros, but would be worth it for the peace of mind. This site - http://www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/overseas/european_tolls_results.jsp?country=France   gives an idea of autoroute toll charges

Not too badThe Gotthard Tunnel is always open, and the Swiss keep the motorways pretty clear.The only real problem area might be in France, on the 'non dual carriageway' between Nancy and Colmar, when, if it is snowy,  it might pay to do a bit of autoroute [with tolls] from Metz to Strasbourg, but you could decide at the last minute, depending on weather and road conditions

We just replaced our windows in the house up near StresaWent for wooden frames - they look greatUsed local man, recommended by neighbours - but we did get 3 estimates from people all recommended by locals