After my success answering Annec's question, its my turn. However, I’m not clever enough for an ‘Italian’ question – so I’ll go for one with a ‘Greek’ connection insteadI’m a ‘sad’ man who likes numbers.
Buying a LHD Car in UK.Sir TK said"... My original intention was to replace the car every 3 years but that's hassle too, as UK dealerships tell me they can't supply an LHD model because of the European spec for lights and instruments. ......" There are companies that do supply new LHD cars, like this one;- http://www.1stcarimports.co.uk/. [But for some reason they don't do Fiats, so you might need to change the make you choose]
Really???? Tyco say" ......... Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) for vehicles entering and leaving the facility We have provided these solutions to major airports and ports including London Heathrow Airport, Dublin Airport, Manchester Airport and the Port of Dover."
".......... When you return to UK you must book a MOT test for that day. It can be anywhere in UK and you can drive to and from the test centre on that day without a road tax disc and an out of date MOT."I suggest what cardi meant to say is that before you return to the UK you must book an MOT for that day ........ and carry a print out of a confirmatory email of the bookingThe authorities will pick up the fact that your car is not Taxed or MOT'ed from the ferry/train booking and/or the vehicle number plate recognition cameras at the port/eurotunnel terminalI would recommend that the MOT station is as close as possible to the point of landing - anything farther away [say near your 'home location' might be considered by the police as 'stretching a point' - i.e. getting your luggage home. Also stopping for petrol/drinks/toilets is not 'solely for the purose of the MOT'] As an example - Avon and Somerset Police website http://www.italymagazine.com/comment/254736/edit says;-"A vehicle can be driven on the road without an MOT certificate :
When the vehicle is being used solely for the purpose of taking it for examination for a test certificate. The test date and time must be pre-arranged
"Does anyone know if we can get UK MOT renewed in Italy without returning to the UK?"I don't think it is possible - although some may suggest you don't need an MOT [Personally I think an MOT is essential - so an annual trip to Uk is needed].There are some firms in the UK that will give all year foreign insurance [Saga is one] - although most limit it to a max of 180 days a year, with a maximum stay of about 45 days at any time [I think] If in doubt - ask your insurer [but don't tell them who you are, just in case]
We use Castorama - buildings and 3rd Party insurance, but not contents [our italian friends advised against contents insurance - because of the cost]Small place in the hills - 91Euros/year
Finding Hotels .....................The Drive Alive website has a map http://www.drive-alive.co.uk/hotels.asp that shows the location of Hotels, plus details etc. It could be worth looking at to get some idea of what is availble, and where.[Website has lots of other info as well]
Well ......................... Its about 760 miles, so assuming a two night trip [250ish miles per day, a leisurely trip] Night 1 – overnight near Colmar - we stayed at http://www.deux-clefs.com/ very nice place. Alternatively, Mulhouse has plenty of hotels - we use the Accor websiteNight 2 – overnight in the area around/south of Milan – not an area I’ve stayed in, [we are North of Milan, in the Lake Orta area], but the web should throw up plenty of options. I would avoid stopping overnight in Switzerland, it can be expensive [but the petrol is cheaper than France, and a lot cheaper than Italy - especially if you get off the Swiss motorway to fill up]
Comments posted
Suggestion" .......... I assume I was bitten on my upper body at night as I sleep with my arms wrapped around my pillow, my arms were covered in bites!!!! ................."How about sleeping under a mosquito net? Used them in Uganda - very effectivehttp://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=mosquito+nets&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=32602634225&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12709846101099308193&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_1k45lqouvc_b
Buying a LHD Car in UK.Sir TK said"... My original intention was to replace the car every 3 years but that's hassle too, as UK dealerships tell me they can't supply an LHD model because of the European spec for lights and instruments. ......" There are companies that do supply new LHD cars, like this one;- http://www.1stcarimports.co.uk/. [But for some reason they don't do Fiats, so you might need to change the make you choose]
Really???? Tyco say" ......... Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) for vehicles entering and leaving the facility We have provided these solutions to major airports and ports including London Heathrow Airport, Dublin Airport, Manchester Airport and the Port of Dover."
Depends where you are going. See;- http://www.lowemissionzones.eu/In Detail for Cars - http://www.lowemissionzones.eu/lez-quick-guide/cars Must say - having read some of the website pages - am totally confused, especially when it comes to Italian cities with LEVs
".......... When you return to UK you must book a MOT test for that day. It can be anywhere in UK and you can drive to and from the test centre on that day without a road tax disc and an out of date MOT."I suggest what cardi meant to say is that before you return to the UK you must book an MOT for that day ........ and carry a print out of a confirmatory email of the bookingThe authorities will pick up the fact that your car is not Taxed or MOT'ed from the ferry/train booking and/or the vehicle number plate recognition cameras at the port/eurotunnel terminalI would recommend that the MOT station is as close as possible to the point of landing - anything farther away [say near your 'home location' might be considered by the police as 'stretching a point' - i.e. getting your luggage home. Also stopping for petrol/drinks/toilets is not 'solely for the purose of the MOT'] As an example - Avon and Somerset Police website http://www.italymagazine.com/comment/254736/edit says;-"A vehicle can be driven on the road without an MOT certificate :
. [my underlining/emboldening]Good Luck
"Does anyone know if we can get UK MOT renewed in Italy without returning to the UK?"I don't think it is possible - although some may suggest you don't need an MOT [Personally I think an MOT is essential - so an annual trip to Uk is needed].There are some firms in the UK that will give all year foreign insurance [Saga is one] - although most limit it to a max of 180 days a year, with a maximum stay of about 45 days at any time [I think] If in doubt - ask your insurer [but don't tell them who you are, just in case]
We use Castorama - buildings and 3rd Party insurance, but not contents [our italian friends advised against contents insurance - because of the cost]Small place in the hills - 91Euros/year
If staying near Colmar ...........Avoid the Novotel at Colmar airport - we didn't enjoy our stay there. [except going into Colmar for an evening meal]
Finding Hotels .....................The Drive Alive website has a map http://www.drive-alive.co.uk/hotels.asp that shows the location of Hotels, plus details etc. It could be worth looking at to get some idea of what is availble, and where.[Website has lots of other info as well]
Well ......................... Its about 760 miles, so assuming a two night trip [250ish miles per day, a leisurely trip] Night 1 – overnight near Colmar - we stayed at http://www.deux-clefs.com/ very nice place. Alternatively, Mulhouse has plenty of hotels - we use the Accor websiteNight 2 – overnight in the area around/south of Milan – not an area I’ve stayed in, [we are North of Milan, in the Lake Orta area], but the web should throw up plenty of options. I would avoid stopping overnight in Switzerland, it can be expensive [but the petrol is cheaper than France, and a lot cheaper than Italy - especially if you get off the Swiss motorway to fill up]