Looking for a New Route to Italy from Calais

PORKSTER

PORKSTER

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On sept 1st of to Italy first stop lake maggiore.
Now a good while ago a nice forum member sent me the route. Which I've used several times. Calais/lux/colmer/ bazel/ through gothard tunnel into Italy
Well I'm feeling brave a fancy a different route. So welcome any suggestions please. Starting early sat 2nd from Calais or close by.
Just looking for different Experiance but no goat tracks over dodgy passes.
So any info tips hints ideas stops shops must does welcome.
Really looking forward to this trip as havnt had much opportunity to use our van. In recent times.
Thanks in advance Paul
 
We drove the Mont-Cenis pass which is open from May until the end of October, making it easy to reach Italy from France. Very scenic with plenty of overnight stops and no HGVs.
 
Kups said:
We drove the Mont-Cenis pass which is open from May until the end of October, making it easy to reach Italy from France. Very scenic with plenty of overnight stops and no HGVs.
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We did the same, both ways. We stayed at the Mont Cenis Lake both times too.
 
We went to Orta & Maggiore in May and went over the Simplon Pass. Stayed in the aire at the top…just don’t follow any signs that have a train on them if you have an A Class, yep, I made that mistake 😂

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Calais , Bruges , Antwerp , Monschau, , Bernkassel kues , Hohen schwangau, Fiss/Serfaus , Merano , top of Lake Garda then onto Lago Maggiore👍
 
First of all, I'd bypass France entirely.

I'd do the Harwich/Hoek of Holland route to Italy.
Even with your start in Sussex, it will probably shorter, quicker, and significly cheaper as no tolls.

To cross the Alps I'd choose the Gross Glockner pass.
Easily doable in a motorhome, but on a clear day it's spectacular
 
Brains said:
First of all, I'd bypass France entirely.

I'd do the Harwich/Hoek of Holland route to Italy.
Even with your start in Sussex, it will probably shorter, quicker, and significly cheaper as no tolls.

To cross the Alps I'd choose the Gross Glockner pass.
Easily doable in a motorhome, but on a clear day it's spectacular
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Isn't the Gross Glockner pass expensive? It used to be? 🤔
 
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I have tunnel booked so no option on crossing. Dieppe Newhaven home. Havnt used that since mid ,90s
 
Just come back yesterday. We went via the Gothard tunnel (one big traffic jam in July) and came back via the fluela pass up past St Moritz and Klosters and on up to Vaduz in Leichtenstein, Lake Constance, Luxembourg, Belgium........

The fluela pass (7822 ft) was difficult enough to be interesting without being silly or dangerous. You pass side by side with glaciers at one point and have an amazing view down to a town that is like looking from an aeroplane, it's so high up. Again, avoid the bit which tries to take you on a train.

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Folkranger said:
Just come back yesterday. We went via the Gothard tunnel (one big traffic jam in July) and came back via the fluela pass up past St Moritz and Klosters and on up to Vaduz in Leichtenstein, Lake Constance, Luxembourg, Belgium........

The fluela pass (7822 ft) was difficult enough to be interesting without being silly or dangerous. You pass side by side with glaciers at one point and have an amazing view down to a town that is like looking from an aeroplane, it's so high up. Again, avoid the bit which tries to take you on a train.
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Yeah we did the Fluela last year, lovely pass and very doable, we stayed at the small aire at Fideris, further on than Klosters, absolutely beautiful round there, just thinking about it makes me want to go back😍😍
 
Another vote for the mont Cenis pass and you will not be charged to use it. You can overnight for free next to the lake which is at about the halfway point over the Alps.
Chose the route you want down the East side of France, but while you are down that way you could include a visit to Annecy.
 
We stopped at Airepark Remich in Luxembourg on the way, lovely park up in nice town and great places to eat and of course allowed me to brim the tank with oh so cheap diesel!! What’s not to like

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Reshenpass is very easy going, and stunning drive from Austria into Italy
 
seasideBill said:
Yep, we got on it by accident (blindly following satnav), but great adventure!
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We did exactly the same…coming back I just avoided every turning that my satnav tried to take me down that mentioned train/station/hell and it was fine.

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L' Hobo said:
Isn't the Gross Glockner pass expensive? It used to be? 🤔
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€27 in 2022.
Worth every penny!
Amazing bit of driving, stunning views.
You could drive end to end in about an hour, we took 4hrs as we kept on stopping for more photo's
 
Brains said:
€27 in 2022.
Worth every penny!
Amazing bit of driving, stunning views.
You could drive end to end in about an hour, we took 4hrs as we kept on stopping for more photo's
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Blimey.
I see the price is now €40!
Still worth it though.
 
Brains said:
€27 in 2022.
Worth every penny!
Amazing bit of driving, stunning views.
You could drive end to end in about an hour, we took 4hrs as we kept on stopping for more photo's
Click to expand...
Belated comment, deleted.
 
claude et maude said:
Oh that train, I still have nightmares, if you have a full width A Class then take a handful of Valium before driving on!!
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There are now two Lotschberg train tunnels

The old Lotschberg Summit Tunnel (1913, 14k long)
which would have been 'interesting' with a vehicle as big as an A Class

The new Lotschberg Base Tunnel (2007, 35k long)
which is designed for HGV's
 
Brains said:
Blimey.
I see the price is now €40!
Still worth it though.
Click to expand...
I would want to see Hannibal's elephant's passing the other way for that sort of money. :oops:

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We headed back from Lake Maggiore over the Simplon pass, round Lake Geneva, past Dijon on to Calais fantastic scenery would recommend.

Shared route
From Eurotunnel Le Shuttle Passenger Check-In (Folkestone), Channel Tunnel, Ashford Rd, Folkestone CT18 8XX to Camping Village Conca D'Oro, Via 42 Martiri, 26, 28831 Baveno VB, Italy via A26.

11 hr 26 min (673 mi)
For the best route in current traffic visit https://maps.app.goo.gl/h9eCkA4qZx9tstNw7
 
Ditcha said:
We headed back from Lake Maggiore over the Simplon pass, round Lake Geneva, past Dijon on to Calais fantastic scenery would recommend.

Shared route
From Eurotunnel Le Shuttle Passenger Check-In (Folkestone), Channel Tunnel, Ashford Rd, Folkestone CT18 8XX to Camping Village Conca D'Oro, Via 42 Martiri, 26, 28831 Baveno VB, Italy via A26.

11 hr 26 min (673 mi)
For the best route in current traffic visit https://maps.app.goo.gl/h9eCkA4qZx9tstNw7
Click to expand...
I think that is the way we came back assuming it goes past Montreux? Very scenic.

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