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.
" a minor niggle I have with the planners is that they calculate journey time on the assumption that you can (and want to) travel exactly on the speed limit for the whole of your route." Almost without exception, for us [allowing for meal and loo stops etc] we average 50mph on a longish run [Its a bit more on the dash back to the ferry - but that's because we try and stay as long as possible in Italy]
"as I don't really want to get into the Italian Income Tax system should I deregister here as a Resident?" From the varied [and conflicting?] replies given here - it seems obvious to me that you should seek expert [Italian] advice to ensure [hopefully] that you 'stay legal' and achieve your aim on not paying Italian Tax Good Luck
" ...... entering Luxembourg the first service station was packed, should have figured there was a reason - the second service station just before you leave Lux and go into Belgium was closed ........" Petrol prices are fixed in Luxembourg - so you don't have to stick to the motorway services The LuxembourgUK site states "Please note that the price of petrol (/gasoline if you prefer) is the same across the country, as it is fixed by government decree, and hence there's no difference in cost whether you get your fuel at a tiny petrol station in the middle of nowhere, or on the motorway. ". "
"I have a particular interest in the actual dates as I am going to Bavaria for Christmas and New year this year so therefore I was thinking that I would be able to go via Switzerland on the way THERE (Dec 6th ish), but my vignette would NOT be valid on the way BACK (Jan 6th ish) ?" The Swiss Travel Centre website states;- "The Swiss Motorway vignettes are valid for multiple re-entries into Switzerland. The vignette is valid between 1st December of the previous year and 31st January of the following year (printed on the vignette). If taking a trailer or a caravan, you will need to purchase an extra vignette"
"if you are through tunnel by 6am you will be at Mulhouse by lunchtime about 7hrs drive , its about 4hrs from Mulhouse to get through switzerland with no major hold ups" I think he said he gets to the tunnel about 6am - so allow for getting out the other end at [worst case, but include time difference] 8am - So Mulhouse about 3pm, or 4pm depending on stops and traffic I wouldn't then go another 4 hrs - you'd be so knac**red you'd need half a week of your time in Italy to recover [and that's assuming you start from Dover - if you've driven down any distance to Dover the tiredness gets worse]
" I asume with the increase it will cost 28.50 from the station nr Basel " Don't think so - its the GB Pound price that has gone up - not the Euro Price [at least, thats howI read the email]
"Need to decide where to stop for the night; Not keen on Switzerland prices, especially as two rooms or a triple so its France (Mulhouse area) or carry on through the Gotthard and get to a hotel nr Lugano but just into Italy. Some say it will be worth pushing on and get to Italy while still light, others say its is too far. Just didnt want to get to Mulhouse and be kicking around with time to spare. Would appreciate your thoughts (getting Eurotunnel at around 6am)" Mulhouse seems the better option, rather than blasting on through Switzerland - if you go to the Accor website there are plenty of options around Mulhouse
Comments posted
" a minor niggle I have with the planners is that they calculate journey time on the assumption that you can (and want to) travel exactly on the speed limit for the whole of your route." Almost without exception, for us [allowing for meal and loo stops etc] we average 50mph on a longish run [Its a bit more on the dash back to the ferry - but that's because we try and stay as long as possible in Italy]
"as I don't really want to get into the Italian Income Tax system should I deregister here as a Resident?" From the varied [and conflicting?] replies given here - it seems obvious to me that you should seek expert [Italian] advice to ensure [hopefully] that you 'stay legal' and achieve your aim on not paying Italian Tax Good Luck
"I have residency in England & Italy, no-one seems to notice" They may, when you pop your clogs!
" ...... entering Luxembourg the first service station was packed, should have figured there was a reason - the second service station just before you leave Lux and go into Belgium was closed ........" Petrol prices are fixed in Luxembourg - so you don't have to stick to the motorway services The LuxembourgUK site states "Please note that the price of petrol (/gasoline if you prefer) is the same across the country, as it is fixed by government decree, and hence there's no difference in cost whether you get your fuel at a tiny petrol station in the middle of nowhere, or on the motorway. ". "
"I have a particular interest in the actual dates as I am going to Bavaria for Christmas and New year this year so therefore I was thinking that I would be able to go via Switzerland on the way THERE (Dec 6th ish), but my vignette would NOT be valid on the way BACK (Jan 6th ish) ?" The Swiss Travel Centre website states;- "The Swiss Motorway vignettes are valid for multiple re-entries into Switzerland. The vignette is valid between 1st December of the previous year and 31st January of the following year (printed on the vignette). If taking a trailer or a caravan, you will need to purchase an extra vignette"
"if you are through tunnel by 6am you will be at Mulhouse by lunchtime about 7hrs drive , its about 4hrs from Mulhouse to get through switzerland with no major hold ups" I think he said he gets to the tunnel about 6am - so allow for getting out the other end at [worst case, but include time difference] 8am - So Mulhouse about 3pm, or 4pm depending on stops and traffic I wouldn't then go another 4 hrs - you'd be so knac**red you'd need half a week of your time in Italy to recover [and that's assuming you start from Dover - if you've driven down any distance to Dover the tiredness gets worse]
" I asume with the increase it will cost 28.50 from the station nr Basel " Don't think so - its the GB Pound price that has gone up - not the Euro Price [at least, thats how I read the email]
"Need to decide where to stop for the night; Not keen on Switzerland prices, especially as two rooms or a triple so its France (Mulhouse area) or carry on through the Gotthard and get to a hotel nr Lugano but just into Italy. Some say it will be worth pushing on and get to Italy while still light, others say its is too far. Just didnt want to get to Mulhouse and be kicking around with time to spare. Would appreciate your thoughts (getting Eurotunnel at around 6am)" Mulhouse seems the better option, rather than blasting on through Switzerland - if you go to the Accor website there are plenty of options around Mulhouse
"I assume the one that we have (should we choose to use it) still 'works'?" Yes - as long as its for 2011 - it should remain valid to end of Jan 2012
So they do ......... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZyNqpB1stw