UK to the Italian lakes via Switzerland
Discussion
We did Lake Como first than came back through Switzerland via Stelivo.
Como was amazing, Switzerland was abit mee but that's maybe because we did all the Swiss mountain passes before.
We are planning to drive to Garda at some point in the future, Switzerland not bothered about going again.
Como was amazing, Switzerland was abit mee but that's maybe because we did all the Swiss mountain passes before.
We are planning to drive to Garda at some point in the future, Switzerland not bothered about going again.
Got a similar challenge. Looking to drive down to Lake Garda with the family August (no choice about dates - school holidays),
Includes a 5 year old, and an 8 year old. Whilst they are "good" on long car journeys, they are not that good. Key is to break the journey up.
We have done Centre Parc nr Effiel (aka nr Nurburgring) back to Calais in a day a couple of years back. That was ok, we stopped for a few hours midway.
Can spend between 2-4 days getting there, and similarly back.
My original thought was plan 5 hours driving per day once on the continent, as you can break it up midway, and get there in 3 days from Calais/Dunkirk.
An alternative might be to try 2 "7 hour driving days", with a rest day in between somewhere interesting (eg the Beaune area in France if we go that way, or somewhere in Germany)
If it was just my OH and I - we'd nail it down in 2 days, and probably explore the alpine passes on the way.
With the kids, I fear they will be frustrated, plus all it takes is to end up on a crowded alpine pass behind a slow lorry a line of motorhomes, and the journey becomes very long, and frustrating..
On the way back, thinking will do a days stopover for either Eurodisney, or Parc Astrix.
So - would welcome views on which route to take (given it will be middle of August), and particularly route over the alps. e.g. Mont Blanc tunnel - take or avoid? And interesting kid friendly/interesting areas to stop.
Already have french emovis toll tag. Toll charges are fine - would happily trade a hundred or so Euro in tolls for flowing roads and happy kids...
Includes a 5 year old, and an 8 year old. Whilst they are "good" on long car journeys, they are not that good. Key is to break the journey up.
We have done Centre Parc nr Effiel (aka nr Nurburgring) back to Calais in a day a couple of years back. That was ok, we stopped for a few hours midway.
Can spend between 2-4 days getting there, and similarly back.
My original thought was plan 5 hours driving per day once on the continent, as you can break it up midway, and get there in 3 days from Calais/Dunkirk.
An alternative might be to try 2 "7 hour driving days", with a rest day in between somewhere interesting (eg the Beaune area in France if we go that way, or somewhere in Germany)
If it was just my OH and I - we'd nail it down in 2 days, and probably explore the alpine passes on the way.
With the kids, I fear they will be frustrated, plus all it takes is to end up on a crowded alpine pass behind a slow lorry a line of motorhomes, and the journey becomes very long, and frustrating..
On the way back, thinking will do a days stopover for either Eurodisney, or Parc Astrix.
So - would welcome views on which route to take (given it will be middle of August), and particularly route over the alps. e.g. Mont Blanc tunnel - take or avoid? And interesting kid friendly/interesting areas to stop.
Already have french emovis toll tag. Toll charges are fine - would happily trade a hundred or so Euro in tolls for flowing roads and happy kids...
HiAsAKite said:
Got a similar challenge. Looking to drive down to Lake Garda with the family August (no choice about dates - school holidays),
Includes a 5 year old, and an 8 year old. Whilst they are "good" on long car journeys, they are not that good. Key is to break the journey up.
We have done Centre Parc nr Effiel (aka nr Nurburgring) back to Calais in a day a couple of years back. That was ok, we stopped for a few hours midway.
Can spend between 2-4 days getting there, and similarly back.
My original thought was plan 5 hours driving per day once on the continent, as you can break it up midway, and get there in 3 days from Calais/Dunkirk.
An alternative might be to try 2 "7 hour driving days", with a rest day in between somewhere interesting (eg the Beaune area in France if we go that way, or somewhere in Germany)
If it was just my OH and I - we'd nail it down in 2 days, and probably explore the alpine passes on the way.
With the kids, I fear they will be frustrated, plus all it takes is to end up on a crowded alpine pass behind a slow lorry a line of motorhomes, and the journey becomes very long, and frustrating..
On the way back, thinking will do a days stopover for either Eurodisney, or Parc Astrix.
So - would welcome views on which route to take (given it will be middle of August), and particularly route over the alps. e.g. Mont Blanc tunnel - take or avoid? And interesting kid friendly/interesting areas to stop.
Already have french emovis toll tag. Toll charges are fine - would happily trade a hundred or so Euro in tolls for flowing roads and happy kids...
If you're going to Lake Garda, then you want the Brenner Pass - it's 2 or 3 lane motorway the whole way. I'd also do the overnight ferry from Harwich -> Hook of Holland. Get a cabin and the kids will love it. There are some theme parks in Germany that I think are pretty good, but I've never been so can't recommend.Includes a 5 year old, and an 8 year old. Whilst they are "good" on long car journeys, they are not that good. Key is to break the journey up.
We have done Centre Parc nr Effiel (aka nr Nurburgring) back to Calais in a day a couple of years back. That was ok, we stopped for a few hours midway.
Can spend between 2-4 days getting there, and similarly back.
My original thought was plan 5 hours driving per day once on the continent, as you can break it up midway, and get there in 3 days from Calais/Dunkirk.
An alternative might be to try 2 "7 hour driving days", with a rest day in between somewhere interesting (eg the Beaune area in France if we go that way, or somewhere in Germany)
If it was just my OH and I - we'd nail it down in 2 days, and probably explore the alpine passes on the way.
With the kids, I fear they will be frustrated, plus all it takes is to end up on a crowded alpine pass behind a slow lorry a line of motorhomes, and the journey becomes very long, and frustrating..
On the way back, thinking will do a days stopover for either Eurodisney, or Parc Astrix.
So - would welcome views on which route to take (given it will be middle of August), and particularly route over the alps. e.g. Mont Blanc tunnel - take or avoid? And interesting kid friendly/interesting areas to stop.
Already have french emovis toll tag. Toll charges are fine - would happily trade a hundred or so Euro in tolls for flowing roads and happy kids...
omniflow said:
If you're going to Lake Garda, then you want the Brenner Pass - it's 2 or 3 lane motorway the whole way. I'd also do the overnight ferry from Harwich -> Hook of Holland. Get a cabin and the kids will love it. There are some theme parks in Germany that I think are pretty good, but I've never been so can't recommend.
Agreed, especially about the ferry. You might also come through the Black Forest where there will be lakes and amusements for the children, and then there’s the Steiff Museum at Giengen an Der Brenz before you drop down to Switzerland/Austria if you go that way.
tvrolet said:
All I can add is I went to the lakes on the bike last year. I planned to go over the St.Gotthard pass. The queue for the tunnel was miles long, and I wouldn’t have wanted to wait in that. If that is your planned route go via Andermatt and the pass proper, not the tunnel. Long queue on the Italian side too.
Came back over the Timmelsjoch; no queues there but a toll at the top. Great road to ride/drive.
Timmelsjoch was still closed yesterday according to a mateCame back over the Timmelsjoch; no queues there but a toll at the top. Great road to ride/drive.
I’ve done this journey to Lake Garda and also further into central Italy with children of a similar age. My advice is that it’s a comfortable journey over 2 days provided you stay in France for as long as possible (i.e avoid alternative routes via Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland) and take the Mont Blanc Tunnel.
I would recommend an overnight stop approximately halfway (in time) from your UK starting point in a Novotel or something similar as they will have a swimming pool that is ideal for the children.
If your children are anything like mine were they’ll just want to reach the destination (without rest days or sight seeing tours) and Lake Garda is a great choice for a family holiday.
I would recommend an overnight stop approximately halfway (in time) from your UK starting point in a Novotel or something similar as they will have a swimming pool that is ideal for the children.
If your children are anything like mine were they’ll just want to reach the destination (without rest days or sight seeing tours) and Lake Garda is a great choice for a family holiday.
Rob 131 Sport said:
I’ve done this journey to Lake Garda and also further into central Italy with children of a similar age. My advice is that it’s a comfortable journey over 2 days provided you stay in France for as long as possible (i.e avoid alternative routes via Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland) and take the Mont Blanc Tunnel.
I would recommend an overnight stop approximately halfway (in time) from your UK starting point in a Novotel or something similar as they will have a swimming pool that is ideal for the children.
If your children are anything like mine were they’ll just want to reach the destination (without rest days or sight seeing tours) and Lake Garda is a great choice for a family holiday.
Much appreciated.. this, and the Brenner pass advise.I would recommend an overnight stop approximately halfway (in time) from your UK starting point in a Novotel or something similar as they will have a swimming pool that is ideal for the children.
If your children are anything like mine were they’ll just want to reach the destination (without rest days or sight seeing tours) and Lake Garda is a great choice for a family holiday.
I think we are going to get down in 2 days driving, with one day "rest/exploration" in the middle.
On the way back, a days "rest" ..possibly SE france or Germany, and then second days rest in N france (probably go to parc Astrix) before ferry back from Caen to Portsmouth.
Ferries booked. Now just to route plan :-)
Did a similar trip last month (in a motorhome). First overnight at Rudesheim am Rhein, then Fussen on the Austrian border (had a couple of days there for the castles), then through Austria via the Brenner, which is pretty straightforward. Fairly long driving days for me, but would be quicker in a regular car. Would require a vignette for Austria but can buy a 10 day valid one at the border for about 20€
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