Looking for a New Route to Italy from Calais

[PORKSTER]

Calais , Bruges , Antwerp , Monschau, , Bernkassel kues , Hohen schwangau, Fiss/Serfaus , Merano , top of Lake Garda then onto Lago Maggiore

Sounds a better different route home

 

[PORKSTER]

Thanks everyone some good info. If only I knew my geography
I'm not really a planner but I normally rush down wander around lost and rush home.
This time I'm going to take it easy have a campsite booked and I'm going to a vintage Mx race. Possibly the Mxgp week after.
So this trips about the journey and new experiances.
I have got a toll tag bought new Garmin sat nav. So hope it will be my best friend. I'm not great with gizmos.

For those of you that don't know my vans 5ton 9.5 metres long with transverse trailer. But a lowline. I have no low emission stickers whatsoever and tbh not fussed.
I may do a little blog on this jolly for my memories.

Next year Greece before it's too late

 

[suavecarve]

Glossglockner appears in the journals

Glossglockner High Alpine Road

If Carlsberg did roads ! A tourist built road high in the Alps, we made it in our 4,100 kg motorhome without having to buy the Go Box and lied when we paid the 33 eurosish to use this toll road. It is slightly more for over 3,500 kgs than under...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[ChrisL]

Turn left at Calais, into Belgium then Luxembourg, fill with fuel here as it's usually the cheapest in Europe, then Germany, Austria and Italy, no tolls until you get into Italy don't forget to buy a vignette in Austria or a go box if over 3.5 tonnes.

 

[Tim P]

Personally the last time we went to Italy (2022) we went on the Val-Cenis pass (Chambers- Susa) and we came back on the Le Grand Clôt (Pinerolo -Sestriere-Briançon-Grenoble) both stunning routes, we are going back mid September going on Le Grand Clôt ( the other way) and coming back the Aosta -Martigny-Chamonix-Geneva route.
As a side observation if you want to use any of the passes between October 15 and April 15 you must have Winter tyres or Snow Chains!

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[vzac]

This was the route we took coming home. Via France, avoiding tolls, no hair-raising passes etc. It's also on the next vid or our Europe adventure out on the 20th August.
Phil

 

[Tim P]

No hair raising passes? Where's the fun in that? You should try the Troll road in Norway for hair raising, 19 hairpin bends one after the other.....fantastic fun, or the Stelvio pass, brilliant. If it's not fun and games, what's the point?

 

[Wanders from Glos]

We went to Maggiore in May, day one was Coquelles to Chalons en Champage, where we also did a supermarket shop. Day two we crossed into Switzerland and stopped at Yverdon lea Bains. From there over the Simplon Pass to Baveno at Maggiore.

Coming home we went over the Mont Cenis pass which was as good as every has said, but Maggiore is possibly a little further on that route.

 

[PORKSTER]

Personally the last time we went to Italy (2022) we went on the Val-Cenis pass (Chambers- Susa) and we came back on the Le Grand Clôt (Pinerolo -Sestriere-Briançon-Grenoble) both stunning routes, we are going back mid September going on Le Grand Clôt ( the other way) and coming back the Aosta -Martigny-Chamonix-Geneva route.
As a side observation if you want to use any of the passes between October 15 and April 15 you must have Winter tyres or Snow Chains!

Last time I came back from Italy. I went up with Como on my left and just followed my nose. I see signs four grand tour !
I was really nice route but time wasn't on our side. We hit liechtenstein I recall and came along top of Bodensee

 

[Roby2008]

Isn't the Gross Glockner pass expensive? It used to be?

Großglockner currently €40.....after 18:00 it´s €30.

I use Felbertuan, it´s €11, not so spectacular but very nice and usually empty..

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[SpeedyDux]

Have done the Brenner pass in early September, that brings you close to Lake Garda. Fairly straight and not steep.

It was snowing on the Austrian side and we were on summer tyres! The weather changed abruptly to warm and sunny as soon as we crossed the border into Italy.

 

[vzac]

No hair raising passes? Where's the fun in that? You should try the Troll road in Norway for hair raising, 19 hairpin bends one after the other.....fantastic fun, or the Stelvio pass, brilliant. If it's not fun and games, what's the point?

Did that last yr.

 

[PORKSTER]

We did the same, both ways. We stayed at the Mont Cenis Lake both times too.

Can I ask where you stayed ? Campsite or off piste parking

 

[Dougall]

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

So are we same time really looking forward to it might see you there

 

[Two on Tour]

Can I ask where you stayed ? Campsite or off piste parking

Just parking/overnight with no facilities, but lovely views over the lake and walks.

https://www.google.com/maps/@45.2451045,6.9318596,171m/data=!3m1!1e3?authuser=0&entry=ttu

Google Maps

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[PORKSTER]

So are we same time really looking forward to it might see you there

I'll follow you then

 

[Bleau’s]

We stopped on a site in chalons on our way back from Italy in May for 2 nights a wonderful town with a big Carrefour and good road access

 

[Bleau’s]

Forgot to add that was after paying €69 for the mont Blanc tunnel a lot more expensive than the gotthard tunnel going down

 

[Molly A]

Be

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. much quicker

 

[Molly A]

generally much quicker to drive over the Gottard pass rather than queue for the tunnel, much more fun too.

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[Folkranger]

generally much quicker to drive over the Gottard pass rather than queue for the tunnel, much more fun too.

I got stuck in a 4 hour queue for the Gottard tunnel (wrong time of year) the sat nav told me to turn off for the Gottard pass although noone else was. Eventually I conceded and turned off only to find police at the top of the turn off who sent me back down the other side only to have to travel miles back up the northbound carriageway and rejoin the queue again.

 

[StephKen]

We are booked on the 10ish night train on the 1st September. We are going to stay just outside Paris for a few days then heading down to Italy. We are doing the same route I did with my parents in the 60s as a tribute.
We go into Switzerland at French/Swiss border at Valorbe then round the lake and on to Sion over the Simplon pass not the train as by the sounds of it, it hasn't changed much it used to be a flat bed open train that if you opened your window in the vehicle you would scratch your knuckles on the tunnel wall!! But if my dad could get our old Dormy up the Simplon pass then I'm sure we can get the motorhome over it.
We then drop down to lake Maggiore and if we can stop in Stresa where there used to be a big campsite on the lake. Hoping to be in Italy by the end of 2nd week. We are over there for 3 months so no rush to get anywhere.

 

[StephKen]

I got stuck in a 4 hour queue for the Gottard tunnel (wrong time of year) the sat nav told me to turn off for the Gottard pass although noone else was. Eventually I conceded and turned off only to find police at the top of the turn off who sent me back down the other side only to have to travel miles back up the northbound carriageway and rejoin the queue again.

Oh we had that once going through the mont Blanc tunnel got half way up and saw sign for it being closed!

 

[claude et maude]

We are booked on the 10ish night train on the 1st September. We are going to stay just outside Paris for a few days then heading down to Italy. We are doing the same route I did with my parents in the 60s as a tribute.
We go into Switzerland at French/Swiss border at Valorbe then round the lake and on to Sion over the Simplon pass not the train as by the sounds of it, it hasn't changed much it used to be a flat bed open train that if you opened your window in the vehicle you would scratch your knuckles on the tunnel wall!! But if my dad could get our old Dormy up the Simplon pass then I'm sure we can get the motorhome over it.
We then drop down to lake Maggiore and if we can stop in Stresa where there used to be a big campsite on the lake. Hoping to be in Italy by the end of 2nd week. We are over there for 3 months so no rush to get anywhere.

Not sure about the Campsite at Stresa (but what a lovely place the town is) although did see lots of MH’s there earlier this year, if you have no luck there I can thoroughly recommend Camping Parisi a few minutes away at Baveno, on the lakeside, very close to centre of town and just a few minutes from Stresa by bus/train/boat.

 

[Ditcha]

We are booked on the 10ish night train on the 1st September. We are going to stay just outside Paris for a few days then heading down to Italy. We are doing the same route I did with my parents in the 60s as a tribute.
We go into Switzerland at French/Swiss border at Valorbe then round the lake and on to Sion over the Simplon pass not the train as by the sounds of it, it hasn't changed much it used to be a flat bed open train that if you opened your window in the vehicle you would scratch your knuckles on the tunnel wall!! But if my dad could get our old Dormy up the Simplon pass then I'm sure we can get the motorhome over it.
We then drop down to lake Maggiore and if we can stop in Stresa where there used to be a big campsite on the lake. Hoping to be in Italy by the end of 2nd week. We are over there for 3 months so no rush to get anywhere.

Camping Conca Doro at Feriola is a nice site right on the lake jump on the bus to the likes of Stresa for a couple of euro.

Camping Village Conca D'Oro
+39 0323 28116

Broken Link Removed

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[StephKen]

I've actually found the campsite!!! It's in Lesa not Stresa and is Camping Solcio.
So looking forward to seeing if it has changed in 50 yrs!will it was always good and because in those days we italy was not on peoples places to go especially in a dormobile caravan we got to know the owners. We have even parked when the place was closed for the season

 

[Wanders from Glos]

Not sure about the Campsite at Stresa (but what a lovely place the town is) although did see lots of MH’s there earlier this year, if you have no luck there I can thoroughly recommend Camping Parisi a few minutes away at Baveno, on the lakeside, very close to centre of town and just a few minutes from Stresa by bus/train/boat.

I'll second Camping Parisi, an Baveno is nice. You can walk to Stresa, through hills too.

 

[PORKSTER]

Ok people me again. Well after crossing on an early train Friday night. Only 3 vehicles on it btw I headed for bray dunes. Spent 2 nights there and now at Luxembourg on a park and ride now on our 2nd night here. Of tommorow still heading for maggiore but no rush. Any suggestions of nice airs or campsites in way. Any way not fussed tbh. But need to dump and refill. Somewhere pleasing for the bride. Lakeside Riverside somewhere to watch world go by be great. She would be super happy with some electric for one of those hair dryer thingme bobs.

Any suggestions welcomed thankyou.


Oh btw we both had no service on phones for 4 days omg that was stressful sorted today when found some good WiFi

 

[claude et maude]

If you are going over Simplon I can recommend the aire at the very top. From memory no services but a wonderful place to wake up in the morning and the pastries & coffee in the hotel/hostel good and cheap.

Easy run down to Maggiore from there with fantastic views.

 

[Wanders from Glos]

If you are going over Simplon I can recommend the aire at the very top. From memory no services but a wonderful place to wake up in the morning and the pastries & coffee in the hotel/hostel good and cheap.

Easy run down to Maggiore from there with fantastic views.

We second that

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