alan h's activity

Questions Asked

I have just got back from my latest trip to Italy, and thought some of you might be interested to hear about a Swiss hotel that we stayed in on the way down.It is the Hotel Engel in Stans [near to Lake Lucerne, a few minutes from the motorway

Mon, 07/25/2011 - 05:21

For many years now I have used the likes of 'mappy', 'via michelin' etc for calculating different routes down to Italy - for us its a part of our holiday, so we don't always want to take the quickest/shortest route down.  We prefer to vary the rou

Wed, 06/01/2011 - 09:25

Today I received an email from the Swiss Travel Centre.  The relevant portion is;- "The GBP price for a Vignette will increase from 01 June 2011 and we wanted to give you the opportunity to purchase this years’ Vignette before the pric

Mon, 05/23/2011 - 09:45

I've just driven down and back for a [much too] short holiday, and feel that an update on how fuel prices look on the way down would be useful to fellow travellers The following is a good site for seeing what prices have been like  

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 05:02

P&O have introduced a new ferry on the Dover - Calais route - its called the Spirit of Britain. They seem to have a special offer on at the moment [on this ship only] I've just booked a return crossing [car + 2] for £60 - significantly less th

Sat, 01/29/2011 - 06:08

Does Tomato soup exist in Italy? We were feeling a bit under the weather when we went out to Italy 2 weeks ago.  As part of the R&R process, I fancied some soup, and looked around the supermarket.  There were lots of different soups, but I rea

Mon, 01/24/2011 - 08:29

The route/timings for next years Giro d'Italia have been posted http://www.steephill.tv/giro-d-italia/   My son rang me up to inform me that the route passes about 100m away from

Sat, 11/06/2010 - 07:04

I think the groups now exist [at least - when I go to the 'make a new post' section, there they are, in the "Audience" section]   Hope someone uses them soon - after all the time its taken

Thu, 07/01/2010 - 04:50

Anyone used the Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry service? I'm hoping to drive down to the holiday home later this year, and was thinking of using the service.

Thu, 07/01/2010 - 04:45

By chance I went on the old Forum yesterday - found that someone had PM'ed me from that forum only a few days ago.   I hadn't got any notification of a PM, but obviously the old Forum PM system still works    It might be worth doing the odd visit

Sat, 05/15/2010 - 12:15

Comments posted

Tue, 01/09/2024 - 08:27

Question.

Did you consider going via uk and eurotunnel  to avoid the risks of a long rough ferry trip?  Not sure it would be much dearer (if at all) or longer time.

Suggestion

Although I usually use Via Michelin to look at potential routes, the Drive Alive planner gives a plethora of hotels etc along the route, so might help.

Tue, 01/09/2024 - 04:26

Wow!  That's quite some journey to make with 2 kids and a dog.  I don't think I'd do it.  I'd leave the dog (and kids) at home).

 

HOWEVER (Hopefully to assist you)

I assume you're using the Irish Ferries ship  as I belive they allow dogs on board.  (Whoever you use  you do need to be very clear of, and have planned for, what rules and requirements the Ferry company imposes.  Anyway, it's an 18+ hour long trip  arriving late morning at Cherbourg.

A lot depends on how well the dog will take to a long road trip.  We allow about5 hrs driving a day, plus a "walkies" break of at least 30 minutes every couple of hours.  Also - will that suit the kids?

A journey of that sort of distance needs to be a part of the holiday, rather than a "blast down as quickly as possible to Molise" trip.

I'd do about 3 - 4 hrs max on day 1 - say 200 miles max, followed by 300-350 miles a day thereafter ....... so probably up to a total of 4 overnights on the way down.

Route??  With the dog, we'd  choose the autoroute for a smoother and quicker trip.  (More scenic routes may cause travel sickness and are slower). 

Hotels etc?  We would suggest using hotel chains like Ibis, as they (usually) take dogs (and children) and have restaurants that accept the dogs.  ALWAYS CHECK DIRECTLY WITH THE HOTEL THAT DOGS ARE ALLOWED IN ROOMS SND RESTAURANT - DONT RELY ON THE WEBSITE. 

There are cheaper hotel options, but you get what you pay for.  Remember  it is part of the holiday experience. 

Well ......  that's your 'starter for ten'.

Sun, 12/31/2023 - 08:39

Try 

Notizie storiche sulla citta di Gravina (455-1860)

Tue, 12/26/2023 - 05:49

3rd response - 3rd advert.

Sat, 12/23/2023 - 17:29

I wondered how long it would take you to pop back and add an advertising link to your post.  You didn't disappoint  - except that it's one of your usual cr#p links.

Sat, 12/23/2023 - 13:50

If you tap on the Menu on the Comune website it gives various options,  one of which is Sevici et Uffici.  Click on that and you get a list of the offices etc.  Click on an office and you often get an email address for a person in that office.

Good luck

Sat, 12/23/2023 - 10:48

Have you tried phoning the comune,?  Here is a listing of numbers etc from their website

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=htt…

Sun, 12/17/2023 - 06:10

The best way to see Venice from Padua is to catch the train in, and be amazed by the views as you leave the Station in Venice and gaze onto the Grand Canal.  Gobsmacking

Sun, 12/17/2023 - 06:05

Personally,  I'd take the following route.

Get on the autostrada and head past Milan  and on towards Lake Maggiore and up past Gravellona Toce and into Switzerland (buy vignette at Swiss border Post or Petrol Station by border).

Through the Simplon Pass - well worth the trip for the scenery  - and on past Lake Geneva. 

We then go across the border into France near Pontarlier and then go towards Lyon and on the autoroute to Calais.

Where to stay -

Stop 3.  I recommend Hotel la Paix in Bapaume - great restaurant and good breakfast, and handy for Calais

Stop 2  We stay in Beze.  Couple of fair hotels including Hotel Le Bourgignon , but last time we stayed at a B&B just outside, called the Moulin de Belle Isle.

Stop 1..  Swiss hotels tend to be expensive.  We stay in the Ibis in Sion Est - nothing fancy but good food and clean bedrooms .

 

You however should look at the route and decide your stops.

Planning the route is half the fun of the trip- yours sounds great.