I usually drive to Italy with my old style UK paper drivers licence with no photo. Back in early 2020 this was also good to show for car hire. Have the rules changed since Brexit? is an old style UK paper licence still valid for car hire? The
Just in case it might help anyone not already aware. My comune is discounting the costs of IMU by 37.5% for second home owners resident abroad who are in receipt of a recognized pension as proof of retired status.
Any recommendations on an Italian bank? I have used MPS for years and they are fine and I can manage stuff online but they seem expensive, I assume to pay for an extensive branch network.
Ferry to Elba very straightforward from Piombino to Portoferraio. It was years ago but just a very short hop. Feasible to do it as a day trip as frequent service.
Done a bit more research. Ferry companies are Toremar, Moby and Blu&Navy. Takes 1 hour. High season cost for two adults and a large car euro 200 return. Last time I went ages ago we hired mopeds from the quayside as avoided taking the car so we could get into the tighter coves. My foggy memories is of a pretty coast line with nooks and crannies worth exploring by boat. I only did day trips because I stay near Pisa. The centre of Piombino is pretty but you wouldn't guess that from the past iron ore industry.
I want to try Troyes as looks so pretty. I've eaten the eponymous andouillette so I deserve to see the town. I will look out for that service station south of the Gottard so thanks. I love passes so I have done Mt Cenis and the Petit San Bernard which pretty and not challenging and cheap but not as fast as Mt Blanc tunnel. Usual route is across WW1 battlefields of northern France, so moving, pay homage at a couple of sites. Stopping in Arras, Laon, Reims, etc then a stretch onto Besancon or Pontarlier which lovely and alpine and quiet. Then dash across Switzerland, Gt San Bernard pass into Italy as it feels like an adventure. Cafe at Agip or pretty Etroubles and onwards for dinner and end south of Pisa. Return journey similar but it is much harder as uphill all the way home and it rains once across the Alps.
I want to try Troyes as looks so pretty. I've eaten the eponymous andouillette so I deserve to see the town. I will look out for that service station south of the Gottard so thanks. I love passes so I have done Mt Cenis and the Petit San Bernard which pretty and not challenging and cheap but not as fast as Mt Blanc tunnel. Usual route is across WW1 battlefields of northern France, so moving, pay homage at a couple of sites. Stopping in Arras, Laon, Reims, etc then a stretch onto Besancon or Pontarlier which lovely and alpine and quiet. Then dash across Switzerland, Gt San Bernard pass into Italy as it feels like an adventure. Cafe at Agip or pretty Etroubles and onwards for dinner and end south of Pisa. Return journey similar but it is much harder as uphill all the way home and it rains once across the Alps.
I hope you're right. I love the old Roman route which largely follows la Francigena across France, Switzerland and Italy as I make my pilgrimage to Italy albeit in a Ford rather than on foot. Stop at the same place as you for a first and last cafe if on that route. Thanks for the positive view. Amusing Brit on You Tube 'not useless yet' doing up a place in northern Tuscany. He has the advantage of living in Austria at least for travel.
I agree Italy seems clear on where to get tested and cost. What isn't clear to me is if driving back and stopping in France so needing a test for entry to UK.
I guess a bit academic at the moment as France has controls on UK due to Indian variant. The net suggests having to see where test are available in town where last overnighting. Costs seem modest and availablity good. I agree France too nice to rush to to through. Anyhow situation seems uncertain except for intrepid souls.
Can I add my thanks as well. Looks like France is off limits without a quarantine. A British chap on You Tube travels from Austria to Italy and was having tests at Italian chemists for euro 50 some with appointment and some just walk in. I think even that requirement is being lifted within the EU. Hopefully this here will be some sort of vaccine passport that might make it easier.
Hopefully someone can offer better advice on this stressful situation. I hope the payments are recorded as a bank transfer so receipt cannot be denied and some correspondence on what was agreed. If so then can ultimately challenge via notary or failure to provide a receipt but it is best to up the ante without going straight to litigation. Easier done via a face to face meeting. Perhaps list the payments made and the work agreed and highlight what is outstanding. Best of luck and I hope someone can offer better advice.
I shall get all wistful. We go to Tuscany and the route Calais, Arras, Reims, St Dizier, Pontarlier, Lausanne, then into Italy via Gran St Bernard (lovely diner on the Italian side at the Agip), Etrouble, then down to Genova. It pretty well follows the via Francigena and is a straight line. You can choose Nationales or autoroutes in France. Quiet roads and some lovely towns such as Laon, Langres, Aosta. We do vary to the route some years such as via Mulhouse and lake Como or south via Annecy. Frankly any route would be great right now.
Comments posted
Ferry to Elba very straightforward from Piombino to Portoferraio. It was years ago but just a very short hop. Feasible to do it as a day trip as frequent service.
Done a bit more research. Ferry companies are Toremar, Moby and Blu&Navy. Takes 1 hour. High season cost for two adults and a large car euro 200 return. Last time I went ages ago we hired mopeds from the quayside as avoided taking the car so we could get into the tighter coves. My foggy memories is of a pretty coast line with nooks and crannies worth exploring by boat. I only did day trips because I stay near Pisa. The centre of Piombino is pretty but you wouldn't guess that from the past iron ore industry.
I want to try Troyes as looks so pretty. I've eaten the eponymous andouillette so I deserve to see the town. I will look out for that service station south of the Gottard so thanks. I love passes so I have done Mt Cenis and the Petit San Bernard which pretty and not challenging and cheap but not as fast as Mt Blanc tunnel. Usual route is across WW1 battlefields of northern France, so moving, pay homage at a couple of sites. Stopping in Arras, Laon, Reims, etc then a stretch onto Besancon or Pontarlier which lovely and alpine and quiet. Then dash across Switzerland, Gt San Bernard pass into Italy as it feels like an adventure. Cafe at Agip or pretty Etroubles and onwards for dinner and end south of Pisa. Return journey similar but it is much harder as uphill all the way home and it rains once across the Alps.
I want to try Troyes as looks so pretty. I've eaten the eponymous andouillette so I deserve to see the town. I will look out for that service station south of the Gottard so thanks. I love passes so I have done Mt Cenis and the Petit San Bernard which pretty and not challenging and cheap but not as fast as Mt Blanc tunnel. Usual route is across WW1 battlefields of northern France, so moving, pay homage at a couple of sites. Stopping in Arras, Laon, Reims, etc then a stretch onto Besancon or Pontarlier which lovely and alpine and quiet. Then dash across Switzerland, Gt San Bernard pass into Italy as it feels like an adventure. Cafe at Agip or pretty Etroubles and onwards for dinner and end south of Pisa. Return journey similar but it is much harder as uphill all the way home and it rains once across the Alps.
I hope you're right. I love the old Roman route which largely follows la Francigena across France, Switzerland and Italy as I make my pilgrimage to Italy albeit in a Ford rather than on foot. Stop at the same place as you for a first and last cafe if on that route. Thanks for the positive view. Amusing Brit on You Tube 'not useless yet' doing up a place in northern Tuscany. He has the advantage of living in Austria at least for travel.
Depressing isn't it. I just hope we introduce vaccine passports that also accepted in the EU.
I agree Italy seems clear on where to get tested and cost. What isn't clear to me is if driving back and stopping in France so needing a test for entry to UK.
I guess a bit academic at the moment as France has controls on UK due to Indian variant. The net suggests having to see where test are available in town where last overnighting. Costs seem modest and availablity good. I agree France too nice to rush to to through. Anyhow situation seems uncertain except for intrepid souls.
Can I add my thanks as well. Looks like France is off limits without a quarantine. A British chap on You Tube travels from Austria to Italy and was having tests at Italian chemists for euro 50 some with appointment and some just walk in. I think even that requirement is being lifted within the EU. Hopefully this here will be some sort of vaccine passport that might make it easier.
Hopefully someone can offer better advice on this stressful situation. I hope the payments are recorded as a bank transfer so receipt cannot be denied and some correspondence on what was agreed. If so then can ultimately challenge via notary or failure to provide a receipt but it is best to up the ante without going straight to litigation. Easier done via a face to face meeting. Perhaps list the payments made and the work agreed and highlight what is outstanding. Best of luck and I hope someone can offer better advice.
I shall get all wistful. We go to Tuscany and the route Calais, Arras, Reims, St Dizier, Pontarlier, Lausanne, then into Italy via Gran St Bernard (lovely diner on the Italian side at the Agip), Etrouble, then down to Genova. It pretty well follows the via Francigena and is a straight line. You can choose Nationales or autoroutes in France. Quiet roads and some lovely towns such as Laon, Langres, Aosta. We do vary to the route some years such as via Mulhouse and lake Como or south via Annecy. Frankly any route would be great right now.