Road trip to Italy July 2015 - some suggestions?
Discussion
Hi everyone. We're taking the V12VS to Italy in the summer for nearly three weeks and am looking for a few suggestions.
So far, Eurotunnel to Calais, then looking for two places to stay on the way to Bormio. Reims? Somewhere in Switzerland? Aiming to approach Bormio from Livigno.
Twi suitable towns and safe car hotels on this leg?
We know Bormio well, a friend runs a hotel there.
Then south to Chianti, just south west of Florence. There for a week in a villa. Then looking for three overnight stops on the way back.
Will book Eurotunnel for the high vehicle and will get a Sanef tag.
Any ides, suggestion or comments much appreciated.
So far, Eurotunnel to Calais, then looking for two places to stay on the way to Bormio. Reims? Somewhere in Switzerland? Aiming to approach Bormio from Livigno.
Twi suitable towns and safe car hotels on this leg?
We know Bormio well, a friend runs a hotel there.
Then south to Chianti, just south west of Florence. There for a week in a villa. Then looking for three overnight stops on the way back.
Will book Eurotunnel for the high vehicle and will get a Sanef tag.
Any ides, suggestion or comments much appreciated.
Hi Phil
Have not been down as far as Italy, but if you are looking for somewhere for your first night I can recommend Chateau d'Etoges in Epernay:
http://www.etoges.com
Marlies and I have driven down there a couple of times. Good parking, under cover if you arrive early enough. I'd recommend a room in the chateau, rather than in the more modern Orangerie, it has real character. Breakfast adequate, but a great restaurant for dinner (book in advance) and a very good wine list.
Have not been down as far as Italy, but if you are looking for somewhere for your first night I can recommend Chateau d'Etoges in Epernay:
http://www.etoges.com
Marlies and I have driven down there a couple of times. Good parking, under cover if you arrive early enough. I'd recommend a room in the chateau, rather than in the more modern Orangerie, it has real character. Breakfast adequate, but a great restaurant for dinner (book in advance) and a very good wine list.
I did a similar trip a couple of years ago.
Stayed here in Reims: http://www.assiettechampenoise.com/ 3 Michelin stars, 5 star hotel. Just awesome.
Stayed here in Lucerne: http://www.hotel-montana.ch/ Also great.
And then the various Swiss passes through the Alps.
I recommend that you drive via Modena (how can a petrolhead not?) then take the SS12 south towards Lucca. The best road of the trip.
Stayed here in Reims: http://www.assiettechampenoise.com/ 3 Michelin stars, 5 star hotel. Just awesome.
Stayed here in Lucerne: http://www.hotel-montana.ch/ Also great.
And then the various Swiss passes through the Alps.
I recommend that you drive via Modena (how can a petrolhead not?) then take the SS12 south towards Lucca. The best road of the trip.
I did a two week trip to Switzerland and the Italian Alps last year. A trip to the National motor museum/Schlumf collection at Mulhouse on the way is a definite must see if you have not been before.
Stayed at the Grand Hotel Kronenhof in Pontresina just outside St Moritz which was voted Trip Adviser's Travellers Choice Hotel of the year 2015 which was excellent.
Stayed at the Grand Hotel Kronenhof in Pontresina just outside St Moritz which was voted Trip Adviser's Travellers Choice Hotel of the year 2015 which was excellent.
Another thumbs up for Chateau Etoges - great place for an overnight stop with a lovely restaurant. If you like their Facebook page and book directly with them, you'll get a discounted room rate. They will also reserve parking under their covered awning opposite reception should you request it.
Another recommendation would be Chalet Apassion in Samoens (French Alps). A very luxurious chalet with great owners who run it as a B&B in the spring / summer months. Can go over the mountains and in to Switzerland, stopping off in Martigny at a great museum that has a number of cars on display. http://www.apassion.co.uk
We're also staying at Le Clos Saint Vincent in Alsace on the way back from our own trip in a couple of months time - off to Lake Como this time round but have gone as far as Tuscany & the Amalfi Coast previously.
Hope that helps. Happy planning
Another recommendation would be Chalet Apassion in Samoens (French Alps). A very luxurious chalet with great owners who run it as a B&B in the spring / summer months. Can go over the mountains and in to Switzerland, stopping off in Martigny at a great museum that has a number of cars on display. http://www.apassion.co.uk
We're also staying at Le Clos Saint Vincent in Alsace on the way back from our own trip in a couple of months time - off to Lake Como this time round but have gone as far as Tuscany & the Amalfi Coast previously.
Hope that helps. Happy planning
Edited by Niki M on Saturday 28th March 10:36
Reims was surprisingly nice; I mean in terms of the place..... I stayed there nearly 2 years ago and thought of it as just a 'stop' point. The centre is lovely and the cathedral worth checking out.
We then drove on and stayed in Berne - deadest capital city in the world (well that I've visited). While the car was safe there are probably more lively places to stay. Plus points are all the tunnels to press the loud pedal.
We went from there to Zermatt (off ski season its empty but still pretty and a few bars open) via the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
When are you planning on going? I only ask as some of the roads will still be closed until the first week of May. We found out 12 miles from Zermatt when we were turned around by a snowplough - in truth the roads had got a little hairy
We then drove on and stayed in Berne - deadest capital city in the world (well that I've visited). While the car was safe there are probably more lively places to stay. Plus points are all the tunnels to press the loud pedal.
We went from there to Zermatt (off ski season its empty but still pretty and a few bars open) via the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
When are you planning on going? I only ask as some of the roads will still be closed until the first week of May. We found out 12 miles from Zermatt when we were turned around by a snowplough - in truth the roads had got a little hairy
Phil74891 said:
Going July 4-24.
If you like live music, make sure you get to Lucca. They host their 'Summer Festival' during July: http://www.summer-festival.com/homeEven if you're not mad about live music, it's worth going. Elton John, Bob Dylan, Mark Knopfler, Snoop Dogg, Robbie Williams, Billy Idol and lots of others, all in front of a crowd of 2000 in the heart of a wonderful medieval town.
I'm there from the 7th to 13th July. Unfortunately, I will be driving a rental 500.
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