Monaco to UK via Italy route suggestions

[Johnnyforeigner]

I'm doing a drive back from Monaco in a few weeks and rather than straight up through France I want to head over to Italy, (Modena/Bologna) and then north from there.

I'd appreciate hearing any suggestions for routes/places to stop from anyone who's done this route before?

I've had a bit of a hunt about on the internet.com so have a rough idea but any knowledge from experience will be gratefully received.

Thanks.

JF

[Yipper]

Monaco to Maranello is glorious. Up into the hills above Monaco, and then twisty A-roads and long noisy tunnels for a few hours all the way to Ferrari land.

Then head to Cortina (posh ski resort) and skirt across the Dolomites to Bolzano (remote mountain town) via the various high passes, like Passo di Giau. The prettiest scenery in Western Europe and lots of narrow, sharp switchbacks. An Alpine racetrack / hill climb.

If you do it on the weekend or evening, make sure the tank is always full of petrol and you have plenty of hard cash. Many Italian gas stations are shut on a weekend, many self-service pumps do not work, and many do not accept credit or debit cards. It can be a royal pain.

[Yipper]

This is epic.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Monaco/Maranello...

[pomodori]

What date do some of the 'high passes" close for snow ?

Vignettes needed for Switzerland and Austria .

[Yipper]

Northern Italy does not get much snowfall (too dry), so most main passes stay open all Winter, and the really high or quiet ones stay open usually until Dec.

[_Leg_]

Loads of great routes, up over the Jaufenpass is a good one as it joins the Brennerpass down to Innsbruck. Obvious routes that take in various passes through the Alps for example the route from Lake Iseo, through Tirana, Bormio, Living and onto Davos (dont just take the obvious roads though, look on Maps for the twisties).

Stay over in Melcasine on Garda for a good night out and two great car model shops in the village. Cruise up the West Coast of Lake Como, grab the 10 minute ferry to Bellagio and stay over for some top restaurants and stunning views. Stop in Brescia at the Mille Miglia Museum which is superb. Alfa Museum is in the area too.

The whole area is Cartopia frankly.

[MDL111]

Big fan of the Nockalmstrasse which is a little off of the direct route
Großglockner also good
German Autobahn always fun

[_Leg_]

MDL111 said:

Big fan of the Nockalmstrasse which is a little off of the direct route
Großglockner also good
German Autobahn always fun

Both great roads further east. Did them this summer. Good suggestions.

Autobahn was a pain in the arse all summer this year. So many roadworks that they imposed 80mph limits for most of it, barely got any high speed runs done on any of my trips. Hopefully though this means they'll be pristine and open again next year.

[K50 DEL]

Doing something close to the reverse of this next June so watching this thread also

[lucido grigio]

_Leg_ said:

Loads of great routes, up over the Jaufenpass is a good one as it joins the Brennerpass down to Innsbruck. Obvious routes that take in various passes through the Alps for example the route from Lake Iseo, through Tirana, Bormio, Living and onto Davos (dont just take the obvious roads though, look on Maps for the twisties).

Stay over in Melcasine on Garda for a good night out and two great car model shops in the village. Cruise up the West Coast of Lake Como, grab the 10 minute ferry to Bellagio and stay over for some top restaurants and stunning views. Stop in Brescia at the Mille Miglia Museum which is superb. Alfa Museum is in the area too.

The whole area is Cartopia frankly.

Alfa museum is outskirts of Milan but not too far away ,recently refurbed and a great visit.

I want to drive the road used in opening of Quantum of Solace ,it's the west side of Lake Garda.

BTW ,it's Malcasine not Melc ,above ,on east side of Garda.

Will just have to drive the whole perimeter of the lake ,if time allows.

[_Leg_]

lucido grigio said:

_Leg_ said:

Loads of great routes, up over the Jaufenpass is a good one as it joins the Brennerpass down to Innsbruck. Obvious routes that take in various passes through the Alps for example the route from Lake Iseo, through Tirana, Bormio, Living and onto Davos (dont just take the obvious roads though, look on Maps for the twisties).

Stay over in Melcasine on Garda for a good night out and two great car model shops in the village. Cruise up the West Coast of Lake Como, grab the 10 minute ferry to Bellagio and stay over for some top restaurants and stunning views. Stop in Brescia at the Mille Miglia Museum which is superb. Alfa Museum is in the area too.

The whole area is Cartopia frankly.

Alfa museum is outskirts of Milan but not too far away ,recently refurbed and a great visit.

I want to drive the road used in opening of Quantum of Solace ,it's the west side of Lake Garda.

BTW ,it's Malcasine not Melc ,above ,on east side of Garda.

Will just have to drive the whole perimeter of the lake ,if time allows.

I perpetually spell Malcasine wrong for some reason I can't fathom and have a mental block on the pronunciation even after 5 years of visiting 2-3 times a year. The locals seem to pronounce it 3 different ways depending on whereabouts on the Lake they are from too. "Malchaseenay" is my best estimate but with a Yorkshire accent combined with my piss poor "Godfather" style Italian accent (My Mrs kicks me when I inadvertently do the hand gestures) I'm pretty sure it sounds like absolute bks to the Italians. Being Italian though they smile, laugh and are very friendly.

Malcasine in July.


Bellagio from the car ferry.



Großglockner in June. Glacier is getting smaller every year, must be all those tw@s in sports cars, err, umm, I'll get my coat.



As I mentioned above, if you (OP) can get there the Mille Miglia museum in Brescia is worth a visit. I bobbed in in July when touring with the Mrs...







Any of these routes from Lake Garda up to Innsbruck are a superb day's drive. Ive done all three in both directions and they combine plenty of tight hairpin stuff with long fast sweeping roads. Never seen any police on any of them and once you're past Trento they're nice and quiet.





Various videos of some routes on here including the Jaufenpass and Brennerpass. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYoSsUdU0UY5J5E0j...

I'm depressed now as I'm stuck in Blighty until the spring. Sigh. Enjoy your trip OP!

Edited by _Leg_ on Thursday 5th October 16:35

[jackal]

If you're going mid/east Austria then head for Turracher Hoe and the roads around Kleinzel and Wildalpen.

Grossglock/Nock/Hantenjoch/Silvretta etc. are worth a visit but the best roads in Europe are the quietest ones and never the most talked about IME.

[PompeyReece]

From a purely driving perspective, personally I wouldn’t make a special trip to Malcesine - roads around the lake are pretty slow going (although may be better in Autumn) and single lane with no opportunity for any good driving.

If you get the chance to go there on holiday however, do it, it’s a wonderful place to unwind and relax.

The Stelvio Pass, of Top Gear game, is around 80 miles north of the Lake Garda which might be worth a divert.

[MDL111]

_Leg_ said:

MDL111 said:

Big fan of the Nockalmstrasse which is a little off of the direct route
Großglockner also good
German Autobahn always fun

Both great roads further east. Did them this summer. Good suggestions.

Autobahn was a pain in the arse all summer this year. So many roadworks that they imposed 80mph limits for most of it, barely got any high speed runs done on any of my trips. Hopefully though this means they'll be pristine and open again next year.

Ah yes during holiday season it is a complete shi!tshow - bloody tourists

[Bispal]

Yipper said:

Northern Italy does not get much snowfall (too dry), so most main passes stay open all Winter, and the really high or quiet ones stay open usually until Dec.

I was 'almost' in the Dolomites 4 weeks ago, we had to cancel our entire holiday due to snow, it was everywhere in the Dolomites. We were actually stuck in Livigno as all the passes out were closed. Three times in 5 years we have had to turn back twice in June and once this year in very early September and had to go on huge 6 hour diversions and re book all our hotels. I will never go again out of Summer.

Why not go through the Alpes Maritimes and / or Ardeche and leave out Italy, much safer weather wise.

Picture from 4 weeks ago.

Edited by Bispal on Monday 9th October 08:17

[Johnnyforeigner]

Thanks all!

I've been checking the available online cams for passes etc and the weather looks ok, despite some earlier dustings of snow.
The original date was early Sept, but work intervened but I decided to go later was better than not going....

The cars are on their way south, route options are all in the satnav/maps, and a few things booked. Appreciate all the info given above, and also Harry Metcalfe's recent vid.
@K50 Del and any others watching for potential route info, I'll update this thread with anything worth a drive/visit.

Cheers

JF