Italian Lakes Motorhome Trip - Advice Needed

[EGG1]

Hi, We intend to go to the Italian Lakes in our 7.5 m Motorhome (3.65 T uprated to 4.0 T) (with ebikes) for 3 weeks departing the last week in May. Its our first big trip and could do with some pointers.

We have read about 3 main popular routes on Motorhome fun and don’t know the pros and cons of each but favour route B unless we are missing something?

A. Harwich - Hook of Holland, A12, down through Germany on route 3 via Cologne, Bad Camberg, Munich, Brenner tunnel, and on to the Lakes,

B. Dover- Calais, Reims Strasbourg, Basel, straight down through Switzerland Towards Como when we can take our pick of the Lakes – Maggiore, Luguno, and Como, and or onward to Lake Iseo and Lake Garda if recommended.

C. Dover - Calais, Reims all the way round Geneva Mont Blanc tunnel and on to the lakes.

On our first 2 week trip down the West coast of France last September we found the Aires were great and practical. We used several toll roads and paid by credit card at the Booths with no problem. We have since read about Toll accounts such as Emovis and Fulli, What is the advantage of these apart from not having to stop at toll booths? Also what is a vignette, and do we need one?, Go Box ? Any wriggle room on motorhome weights and tolls?

We like small towns and villages en route but realise we only have 3 weeks for the trip.

We would also appreciate advice/recommendations on stop overs en route and approx 3 day park ups when we get to the Lakes – which Lake? Which sites? so we can chill out and go biking etc. Also we don’t mind paying for nice sites.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Brains]

Route 'A' is the logical route.
Catch the night ferry
(It means you can work or have the entire day to pootle to Harwich)

This will put you half a day ahead of anyone crossing at Calais.
It will also save you a few quid on tolls!

I'd look for a more 'exiting' route over (rather than through) the Alps.
The Timmelsjoch pass would be on your route.
Easily drivable in any motorhome under 8m

 

[Brize]

It also depends on how much you enjoy the drive, and how long you want to drive each day.

We are in Italy at the lakes the moment, and have been here before We came down on your route B (with some variations), but previously came down on your route A, which brings you down in the vicinity of Garda. We are going to return on your route C and stay in the Geneva area for a few days, principally because its an interesting (but longer) drive but takes us to a few areas we haven't been to before.

We have done all the larger lakes - Garda, Maggiore, Como and Lugano, and we thought we would try the smaller lakes this time, and we have not been disappointed. We went to Lake d'Orta first and spent a few days at a lovely campsite. Visit to Orta Di Guilio well worthwhile and lovely lunch in the Square.

We moved on to Lake d'Iseo, where we are now, campsite and we are about 5m from the lake. We find the smaller lakes have much more charm and character. Home via Geneva, then a few days around the Somme to pay homage to those who fought for our freedom (but what would they make of it now?) Sad.

Whether you come down via Austria or Switzerland, you will need a vignette. This is all done online now, no paper involved, your numberplate is scanned as you enter the country. Swiss vignette is 40Chf and lasts for 13 months.

Lastly, tags. We have a Fulli tag that works in France and Italy, and it has been brilliant. Its costs are minimal, its easy to register, it speeds up the whole journey, and frankly, we wouldn't be without it.

Hope all this helps. Here is a little sampler taken last night!

 

[scotzsue]

Have been to all the lakes mentioned, not all in the motorhome, but our favourite in the van was Isio, we managed to hit Bardolino in nice time for the wine festival, camped between bardolino and Garda town, really enjoyed the walks and our trip to Venice, we did that on a coach.
Cant really help with the route ours was nearest B we are hampered by my fear of heights and windy deep drop roads

 

[DDJC]

Route C is my usual route.
Calais then overnight near Langres.
Then bypass Dijon and at Macon, take the autoroute Blanche to the Mont Blanc Tunnel. Overnight somewhere in Valle d'Aosta
Then up towards Milano for Maggiore, Lugano or Como. Or keep on to Bergamo for Iseo, Idro & Garda

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[royandsharont]

You can’t use a vignette for Switzerland, re your weight over 3.5t you have to purchase heavy vehicle tax at the border to drive on ANY roads there is my understanding. I avoided it for that reason but think it may not be such a problem but you must comply or run a big risk of being caught out.

For Austria you need a Go box for the toll roads

 

[Brize]

Also bear in mind that for route C, the Mt Blanc tunnel will cost €72 if you are under 3m high, and €196 if you are over 3m high (one-way).

 

[Ridgeway]

A bit easier for us as it's just around the corner so to speak but we always prefer the Simplon as a route through. Free and a nice stop for a sarnie up top and in May no worries at all about it being clear. For Suisse just use the Via app for your e-vignette.

And don't forget there's a wonderful overnight stop at Brigerbad for the thermal baths with campsite next door.

https://thermalbad-wallis.ch/en

 

[Jaspersteve]

Hi, We intend to go to the Italian Lakes in our 7.5 m Motorhome (3.65 T uprated to 4.0 T) (with ebikes) for 3 weeks departing the last week in May. Its our first big trip and could do with some pointers.

We have read about 3 main popular routes on Motorhome fun and don’t know the pros and cons of each but favour route B unless we are missing something?

A. Harwich - Hook of Holland, A12, down through Germany on route 3 via Cologne, Bad Camberg, Munich, Brenner tunnel, and on to the Lakes,

B. Dover- Calais, Reims Strasbourg, Basel, straight down through Switzerland Towards Como when we can take our pick of the Lakes – Maggiore, Luguno, and Como, and or onward to Lake Iseo and Lake Garda if recommended.

C. Dover - Calais, Reims all the way round Geneva Mont Blanc tunnel and on to the lakes.

On our first 2 week trip down the West coast of France last September we found the Aires were great and practical. We used several toll roads and paid by credit card at the Booths with no problem. We have since read about Toll accounts such as Emovis and Fulli, What is the advantage of these apart from not having to stop at toll booths? Also what is a vignette, and do we need one?, Go Box ? Any wriggle room on motorhome weights and tolls?

We like small towns and villages en route but realise we only have 3 weeks for the trip.

We would also appreciate advice/recommendations on stop overs en route and approx 3 day park ups when we get to the Lakes – which Lake? Which sites? so we can chill out and go biking etc. Also we don’t mind paying for nice sites.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I do Lago di Garda every year.....
The best route with no Motorway tolls...is Calais head for Stuttgart

A bit easier for us as it's just around the corner so to speak but we always prefer the Simplon as a route through. Free and a nice stop for a sarnie up top and in May no worries at all about it being clear. For Suisse just use the Via app for your e-vignette.

And don't forget there's a wonderful overnight stop at Brigerbad for the thermal baths with campsite next door.

https://thermalbad-wallis.ch/en

We done Italy for last 5 Years.....and done all routes..
I love the Mont Blanc route , but is very expensive.
I do Calais , then head to Stuttgart , Ulm , then Innsbruck..
There's a lovely site just off the motorway near innsbruck...Nattersea...
From Innsbruck take the Brenner pass , down through Trento and onto Lago Di Garda....
You need a Vignette in Austria €10 for a Month...
Then 2 Bridge tolls of around €10 each and around €14 in Italy for motorway toll to Garda.

 

[EGG1]

Thanks for all the replies - motorhome fun is a great site and im not computer literate so i have a little trouble navigating my way around it - sorry if i havnt responded to posts in the appropriate way. I guess all we have to do is get the emissions sticker at a French petrol station, and download the Via app for Switzerland and buy the pass when we get to the border as Coastal Cruiser advised. Do we have to have a Fulli tag as well for italy?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Soycd]

We'd normally go from Calais, through Belgium and Luxembourg to Germany. (no tolls) You've then get a choice of going through Switzerland or Austria. We went through Switzerland last year and stayed at Magiorre at this place for 2 nights.

Maggiore Suites: The Camp

maggiore-suites.com

Nice village/town. Don't know much about Italian lakes as we are generally passing through to warmer climes! Have gone through Austria (Brenner Pass) many times which is handy for Garda.

 

[TheMachMan]

Thanks for all the replies - motorhome fun is a great site and im not computer literate so i have a little trouble navigating my way around it - sorry if i havnt responded to posts in the appropriate way. I guess all we have to do is get the emissions sticker at a French petrol station, and download the Via app for Switzerland and buy the pass when we get to the border as Coastal Cruiser advised. Do we have to have a Fulli tag as well for italy?

We bought our Critair sticker before we left. Much easier as they deliver to the UK. And if you’ve left before the physical sticker arrives they provide an email verification you can use.

 

[DDJC]

We'd normally go from Calais, through Belgium and Luxembourg to Germany. (no tolls)

Stinge!

And there is better wine on the Option C route

German wine? , +

 

[Soycd]

Stinge!

Nowt to do with that! They have good Greek restaurants in Germany, thats why! French wine I'll agree is better than German, but French beer???

 

[Wanders from Glos]

We did this last year and visited three lakes plus a few towns before heading into Tuscany. Our route was from the tunnel because we get the crossing using our Tesco vouchers, meaning it does not cost us anything. We wanted to get to Italy quickly so did roughly 200 miles a day. On the first night, we stopped at Chalons en Champagne. The next day we crossed into Switzerland buying a vignette at the border for their motorways, stopping at Yverdons les Bains. From there, we drove to Lake Maggiore crossing the Alps at the Simplon Pass which was straightforward.

I think it may be German school holidays for some of the time you plan to be in the lakes, if it is the sites get very booked up. It goes against the grain for us to pre-book, but we did find it was best to get a place near the lakes. In addition to Maggiore, we visited Garda and Iseo. In our opinion Lake Garda, was not as good as the other two. But others may feel differently. I think it depends upon what you’re looking for.

Since you are in the region, I would also recommend visiting Verona, Bergamo, and especially Mantua.

On the way home, we crossed back into France over the Cenis pass which was spectacular. I have put some pictures below.

Maggiore

Iseo

Garda

Verona

Bergamo

Mantua

Have a great trip.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[MisterB]

Whether you come down via Austria or Switzerland, you will need a vignette. This is all done online now, no paper involved, your numberplate is scanned as you enter the country. Swiss vignette is 40Chf and lasts for 13 months.

can you confrm that please?

EDITED - it only lasts for WITHIN the calendar year PLUS 1 month either side - found this by searching !

The e-vignette and the sticker are equivalent in principle. Both versions allow you to use the Swiss motorway and road network, and both cost CHF 40. They are also both valid for the relevant calendar year, plus one month before and one month after - i.e. the 2024 vignette runs from 1 December 2023 to 31 January

 

[MisterB]

I do Lago di Garda every year.....
The best route with no Motorway tolls...is Calais head for Stuttgart

We done Italy for last 5 Years.....and done all routes..
I love the Mont Blanc route , but is very expensive.
I do Calais , then head to Stuttgart , Ulm , then Innsbruck..
There's a lovely site just off the motorway near innsbruck...Nattersea...
From Innsbruck take the Brenner pass , down through Trento and onto Lago Di Garda....
You need a Vignette in Austria €10 for a Month...
Then 2 Bridge tolls of around €10 each and around €14 in Italy for motorway toll to Garda.

where do you stay at Lake Garda? we have Camping Baia Verde booked (weve stayed there previously and loved it, but always looking to try somewhere else) so any suggestions are welcome.