alan h's activity

Questions Asked

Cancelling a Eurotunnel Booking I have had to cancel a return trip on Eurotunnel [Car + 2 + Dog], as I have to go into hospital for an op.The booking was 'non-refundable'.I rang them to cancel and they confirmed it was non-

Thu, 05/26/2016 - 08:00

IMU - Its still around I thought this had disappeared in the new tax system, but my Comune website says the first payment for 2014 is due by 16th June Paid it via my bank today - emailed them the F24

Fri, 06/13/2014 - 08:56

Looks like the days of the easy/cheap trip to italy through Switzerland are numbered. Apparently, the Swiss government has decided to raise the cost of the vignette to 100 Swiss Francs for 2015. They are introducing a two month vignette for 40SF,

Sun, 09/01/2013 - 15:58

Petrol prices in France are now comparable with the UK, except on the French Autoroutes.One option is to fill up at the L'Eclerc superstores with their SP95 E10 petrol [its a petrol with some ethylene in - generally used in France - which is OK fo

Thu, 07/11/2013 - 04:25

For a change this year we drove down to Italy via Besancon  [avoiding most tolls by taking some good french non-motorways.]However - Besancon roads are in total chaos as they are digging them up to lay tram routes - this will take about 2 more yea

Wed, 07/10/2013 - 16:44

Can you help?I've just completed making a 'variation' of Limoncello. The only change is that I dispensed with the lemons, I and substituted Sloes that I picked here in the UK at the end of last year.

Sun, 01/20/2013 - 09:10

In today's GuardianRyanair have announced their credit card will now be liable to the same charges as other credit cards - so the end of no charge bookings

Sat, 11/10/2012 - 09:07

I'm planning my route down for a months visit in July.

Mon, 06/04/2012 - 08:13

I logged on this morning to my local webcam, to look at the snow on the ski slopes.

Thu, 01/05/2012 - 04:47

Comments posted

Tue, 12/07/2021 - 04:02

Latest advice

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/entry-requirements

In particular,  see the bit about date of paper certificate.

I'd suggest you take a few photocopies of any paper certificates.  They do show "COPY" faintly in a box, but you can't see it easily, and they still work.

Also photocopies of Passports, just in case

Thu, 11/11/2021 - 06:57

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/eu-pet-passports-how-make-21462647.amp

Thu, 11/11/2021 - 06:06

Interesting response, Clueless in Italy.

I've been reading some web entries about holiday home owners [non-resident] in France. easily getting their dogs an EU Passport

May try my luck with a friendly vet in Italy on our next doggie visit. - its worth a punt.

Thu, 10/28/2021 - 04:33

Governmrnt Website says:-

ITALY

If you hold a paper driving licence or a driving licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need a 1968 IDP. Check with the Italian Embassy.

 

Similar comment for France

So check with embassies 

Thu, 10/28/2021 - 03:54

Why not upgrade(?) to a photo driving licence?  Don't need an IDP then.

(World be highly surprised if anyone checks your licence, unless you have an "incident")

Sun, 10/24/2021 - 03:03

 

It was soooo good to have now managed to get to Italy,  albeit for only a short break.

Have now completed the return journey to UK.

Again, not a single border check (Switzerland,  Germany or France) on the return. 

All we had to do at Eurotunnel, after our passports were checked by French Border Police, was take our online uk Passenger Locator Form and our (paper) Covid Passes to a desk in the Terminal, where details were put on computer by very accommodating staff.

We were then given our Boarding Pass tag and went through uk Passport Control when called for loading on the train.

All pretty easy - except for tunnel problems, (one track not in use - technical difficulties) so 1 hour delay.  Felt sorry for people travelling to France as the delay on uk side was about 3 or 4 hours - cars were queueing on the A20 to enter the terminal.

 

Mon, 10/11/2021 - 11:49

Calais, Metz, Nancy, Mulhouse, into Germany to avoid Basle (Lorrach route), Lucerne  then Gotthard Tunnel.   Then down West side of Lake Maggiore to Gravelona Tocce.  Covid test in Brissago, just before Italian border.

Mon, 10/11/2021 - 10:57

Have just travelled down to Piemonte from UK by car.  Thought you might like to know how it went.

1.  Arrived at Eurotunnel - hadn't uploaded paperwork, (too old and 8yr old granddaughter was too busy to do it for me).  Told to go to Document Verification desk, to check we had the correct hard copies of the necessary documents.   When there, we were asked if we had our Covid Pass certificates and our signed copies of the Declarstion d'Honour, for entering France.   We said we had, and waved the paperwork.  It wasn't checked at all, but we were given the Boarding Tag for the car.

2.  Entry to France - NO CHECKS

3.  French Hotel- Covid Pass scanned- all OK 

4.  Entry to Germsny - NO CHECKS 

5.  Entry to Swizerland (Basle by-pass route) - NO CHECKS 

6.  Swiss Hotel.  Tried to scan our Covid Passes (3 different versions, including App) - None would register.  Hotel staff said, don't worry, you obviously have been vaccinated", so you can stay.

7   Getting Covid Test for entering Italy  - test went OK- took about an hour.  Swiss pharmacist couldn't understand why anyone double jabbed needs a test to enter Italy.

7.  Entry into Italy - NO CHECKS. (NO staff at border post)

So, in essence, if , whatever state of Covid Status you have or don't have, you've an even chance of getting to Italy with no proper checks  if you drive.

(I did have all paperwork required - of course)

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 12:26

Haven't used the Frejus Tinnel route, but have used the Simplon Pass route as it puts us in the right part of Northern Italy.  Lovely route, especially in Summer, but Pass is open all year round.

Wed, 10/06/2021 - 06:50

In theory, if you spend less than 36hrs in Switzerland, you don't need any paperwork, but as the entry form is short and simple it's probably best to take paper copies (separate ones for outward and return journey).

Similarly, if you do my Basle by-pass route, the same applies for Germany.

I'm getting my entry test for Italy in Switzerland, as I do  two hotel stopovers on the way, so can't do a 48hr test in the UK before we set off.

Remember, also, you need the UK Passenger Locator Form  for your return