Can anyone help me, can I drive ti

Bella boo boo Image
01/18/2017 - 15:50

Can anyone help me, can I drive ti Italy from spain, m y wife and a small dog, has anyone any tips pleaseSteve

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I would say it should be easy. A couple of years ago I drove from England to Portugal, Spain, southern France and then Italy, and each year I drive to Tuscany from England. Depending on where you are in Spain, and the number of stops you need to make, a stopover on the Côte d'Azur is ideal (Mougins is nice). From there it's only a couple of hours into Italy and you avoid the boring and pricey Mont Blanc tunnel. If it helps, my route from Portugal was Albufeira (awful place), to Figueres; Figueres to Mougins; Mougins to Montopoli near Pisa, all on the motorway. There are abundant rest areas along the route, and I've seen many dog owners allowing their canine friends to stretch their legs. We do the journey with a 4 year old and a 6 year old in tow, so taking the dog should be simple.

Oh right. In your question you said you'll be driving from Spain, so really there's no way of avoiding France completely (unless you take a ferry)! From central Spain it's around 15 hours to Brussels, so maybe a bit much for a days travel, then it's 16 hours to central Italy, around 11 to the north. You may need a bit more than 3 days. I've done uk to Italy via Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland before, it took 3 days but would've been more comfortable over 4. For speed I've avoided that way for the past 4 years, It is a beautiful route though, and south east Germany is really stunning (good beer too)!

Thankyou for your help, I am coincide ring going hill zeebrugger, then through Lille, Luxembourg that way in, as we have two weeks and if we can get a week in Italy on the beach the rest we would like to curve and stay whoever  how do you find the hotels if you don't mind letting me know please regards steve

I use booking.com, they have an app so you can book whilst on the road. You can often book with no depsosit based on planned stops - this allows you to change plan with no penalty up to 24 hours before your due stay, or you can book at very short notice which allows complete flexibility.I've found prices to be good too, I stayed at a lovely little tavern and hotel in the Black Forest town of Schiltach for about £60 for 4 of us, and in a chalet hotel overlooking Mont Blanc for around £70 for 4 of us. Last year we spent a few days in a mountain retreat in Gressoney for less than £80. There really is a range of budget up to luxury places, and all are much cheaper than booking through travel agents. 

Drove from Scotland to Italy with my 15year old dog... On way went through France , Switzerland and then Italy. All very dog friendly.  No problems at all....  On way home came through France. Once in Europe I used bookings.com and found dog friendly hotels to stop overnight. Never booked anything before I left..  The euro tunnel was easy and simple on way you just drive on and on way back you check your pet checked in first..  Once thing is you need a vaccine given to you dog before returning to UK and the passport stamped.  This is just a pill the vet gives your dog..  I took some Palma ham to vets we wrapped pill in it and down it went !  After vaccine you have 5 days to leave Europe so plenty of time to drive back.   I am hoping to take her back to Italy in April as she enjoyed it so much. The heat also helped her joints !   Enjoy your trip ! 

Thanks for your help, we are looking at doing hull, zeebrugger, stop at Luxembourg then in to Switzerland on to Italy that  way in, ?  Your thoughts? we would like drive 3 to 4 days a week then Italy on the beach, then drive back, are hotels on the way easy to find? Or do you ore book them, I have a small dog thanks for your hekp steve