Road Conditions

helens Image
02/09/2011 - 18:37

We've finally taken the decision to buy a house in Italy - I'm so excited! We have a week off in March and may visit to start looking at some property. We have driven down from mid-Wales many times but never in late winter/early spring. I would welcome any info re road conditions at that time of year. We normally drive down through France and the Mont Blanc tunnel.Grazie mille

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I'm driving via the gothard tunnel on Sunday (UK to Le Marche), I'll come back and post here early next week. Driving t'other way two weeks ago, it was all clear and no probs whatsoever. The weather in Le Marche at the mo is fantastic for the time of year....................but it could all change ! S

I make the trip frequently and just arrived yesterday. I came via Belgium, Luxembourg (diesel at €1.11), Nancy, Basel, Gotthard. Really easy trip - as usual - and absolutely zero in tolls. The Swiss vignette costs the same as one way through Mont Blanc but lasts for over a year. Terry

Bunterboy is right - fly drive is surely the best option [assuming there are airports near where you want to go to/from]. Otherwise you'll spend a significant part of your time travelling down [or 'blast down' in the car and be too 'knackered' to make any sensible decisions].  If driving - I'd recommend Sir TK's route, [and if petrol car, fill up in Luxembourg and Switzerland] Swiss motorway vignette - approx £30 from      http://rail.stc.co.uk/userdata_vignette.php?passid=5&frame=1&system=GB&affiliateid=45

Many thanks for the feedback. We may do flydrive. Depends on prices. Sometimes just as cheap to drive depending on price of flights and car hire as the nearer to holiday we book the more expensive the flights but Eurotunnel prices seem to be more constant. We would fly probably from Gatwick either to Pisa or Rome. We're looking in Umbria but have also seen a couple of places in Le Marche. We have seem some places north of Lucca but have never explored that area. Looking for something fairly modest (in price) that we can holiday in at first and then retire to in a couple of years. So somewhere with 2 bedrooms but perhaps with a couple of rooms that we can restore in the future also want some outside space.  smiley

Many thanks for the feedback. We may do flydrive. Depends on prices. Sometimes just as cheap to drive depending on price of flights and car hire as the nearer to holiday we book the more expensive the flights but Eurotunnel prices seem to be more constant. We would fly probably from Gatwick either to Pisa or Rome. We're looking in Umbria but have also seen a couple of places in Le Marche. We have seem some places north of Lucca but have never explored that area. Looking for something fairly modest (in price) that we can holiday in at first and then retire to in a couple of years. So somewhere with 2 bedrooms but perhaps with a couple of rooms that we can restore in the future also want some outside space.  smiley

Hi Helen, we have our place in le Marche up for sale if it is of interest. It is a detched one-bedroom restored townhouse with a garden and a very beautiful 16th century annexe to be renovated (no structural work) also leading off the garden. The annexe would give a stunning 2 bedroom apartment with double height ceilings and tons of original features or can be joined to the detached house. Full details here: http://houses.sibillinicycling.com/ Thanks, Penny