Some help please planning a trip to Italy
Discussion
Early August I am going to a wedding in Cortona Italy .
The Groom asked why would anyone drive that distance? What drive to airport, pay for parking, queue, wait 3 hours, then catch taxi for 100km drive from airport X2, are you nuts? Of course the Aston factor makes all this redundant.
Will get down to Euro tunnel nice and early and then looking at various journey planners its a fairly straight drive through the East of France, through Switzerland down to Milan and into central Italy. I aim to take 2 days to cover the 900 miles there, so not much time for anything but motorway driving. On way back I will take 3 days with Mrs B
planning a shopping trip to Milan for a few hours and maybe lunch around lake Como.
I know French are funny folk and don't like speed camera detectors and we now need two breathalysers. I have triangle and will not be driving at night. Going to buy the motorway fast pass. Got first aid kit. So...
Questions.
- In either direction can anyone recommend any particular road/routes that we should take, avoid or drive for the sheer hell of it.
- Any suggestion of nice hotels we might consider on way down and back (Cortona hotel already booked).
- With some time on hands on way back any suggestions on route I should stop and do or see
- Other than triangle stuff above is there any other kit, planning or admin I should be thinking about maybe other than putting fuse 15 back in
!
- Assuming we end up with a bespoke drive, how do we deal with Satnav. Do we sit in car for 2 hours inputting each stage there and back or do we give missus a map
. Or more likely use maps on the phone or something. Is it possible to plan journey on computer and upload to SatNav?
The Groom asked why would anyone drive that distance? What drive to airport, pay for parking, queue, wait 3 hours, then catch taxi for 100km drive from airport X2, are you nuts? Of course the Aston factor makes all this redundant.
Will get down to Euro tunnel nice and early and then looking at various journey planners its a fairly straight drive through the East of France, through Switzerland down to Milan and into central Italy. I aim to take 2 days to cover the 900 miles there, so not much time for anything but motorway driving. On way back I will take 3 days with Mrs B
planning a shopping trip to Milan for a few hours and maybe lunch around lake Como. I know French are funny folk and don't like speed camera detectors and we now need two breathalysers. I have triangle and will not be driving at night. Going to buy the motorway fast pass. Got first aid kit. So...
Questions.
- In either direction can anyone recommend any particular road/routes that we should take, avoid or drive for the sheer hell of it.
- Any suggestion of nice hotels we might consider on way down and back (Cortona hotel already booked).
- With some time on hands on way back any suggestions on route I should stop and do or see
- Other than triangle stuff above is there any other kit, planning or admin I should be thinking about maybe other than putting fuse 15 back in
!- Assuming we end up with a bespoke drive, how do we deal with Satnav. Do we sit in car for 2 hours inputting each stage there and back or do we give missus a map
. Or more likely use maps on the phone or something. Is it possible to plan journey on computer and upload to SatNav?Hi Craig
I have done this journey to and from Como the scenic and fast routes and the Sat nav is fine, however I did supplement with planning it on google maps and then using my phone for some parts where I went 'off piste' as my phone is linked to my google account
. For the fast route with a twist, I shot down the french route to Macon and then via Geneva for the Mont Blanc tunnel. It is not the shortest, but the french roads are quick and the Mont Blanc is worth the extra . I would not do that both ways though as you miss so much doing the motorways, but they are very fast.
From Como on the way back head north taking the swiss passes like the San Bernadino and others, great ride back. I have routes if you want them, but Mikey K is the 'Navigator'
I have done this journey to and from Como the scenic and fast routes and the Sat nav is fine, however I did supplement with planning it on google maps and then using my phone for some parts where I went 'off piste' as my phone is linked to my google account
. For the fast route with a twist, I shot down the french route to Macon and then via Geneva for the Mont Blanc tunnel. It is not the shortest, but the french roads are quick and the Mont Blanc is worth the extra . I would not do that both ways though as you miss so much doing the motorways, but they are very fast.From Como on the way back head north taking the swiss passes like the San Bernadino and others, great ride back. I have routes if you want them, but Mikey K is the 'Navigator'
When we did it we went via Austria and stayed in Ellmau, a low level ski resort. Lovely place. The drive from there into Italy, for a motorway, was just fantastic!
The world is your oyster, I suggest you try and take an extra day... or fly the OH home, I flew Mrs Yeti back from Milan alowing me an extra day of arsing about in a Maserati in Italy. Well, you would, wouldn't you...
On Lake Como there are no bad choices. Amazing place
The world is your oyster, I suggest you try and take an extra day... or fly the OH home, I flew Mrs Yeti back from Milan alowing me an extra day of arsing about in a Maserati in Italy. Well, you would, wouldn't you...
On Lake Como there are no bad choices. Amazing place
If you want to drive fast there are a few passes that are fun.
Passo Rombo between Italy and Austria. http://www.drivingforpleasure.co.uk/roads-and-tour...
Col de la Bonette between Italy and France http://www.drivingforpleasure.co.uk/roads-and-tour...
For a more sedate drive why not look at parts of the Mille Miglia route.
Passo Rombo between Italy and Austria. http://www.drivingforpleasure.co.uk/roads-and-tour...
Col de la Bonette between Italy and France http://www.drivingforpleasure.co.uk/roads-and-tour...
For a more sedate drive why not look at parts of the Mille Miglia route.
Only way you will do 450 miles in a day is on the toll roads which would be a real shame as you will miss all the good stuff
Plan on around 250 miles avoiding the highways & tolls
I use www.alpineroads.com to pcik my passes
And another favourite site www.bestbikingroads.com for other "twisties"
Col de bonette is good but I say make a point of finding the Millau Bridge, the N95 Route Napolean and the Andermatt Loop
Avoid the highways in the South of France into Italy
You can use Google maps to plan a route then convert it with ITN Convert to a suitable sat nav intinerary (if yours supports it
)
Plan on around 250 miles avoiding the highways & tolls
I use www.alpineroads.com to pcik my passes
And another favourite site www.bestbikingroads.com for other "twisties"
Col de bonette is good but I say make a point of finding the Millau Bridge, the N95 Route Napolean and the Andermatt Loop
Avoid the highways in the South of France into Italy
You can use Google maps to plan a route then convert it with ITN Convert to a suitable sat nav intinerary (if yours supports it
)Edited by mikey k on Friday 29th June 22:48
I can't give advice on a route, but as far as kit is concerned I always carry the following when abroad:
First Aid Kit
Warning Triangle
Fire Extinguisher
Hi-Vis Vests (enough for all in the car)
Spare Bulb Kit
GB sticker or number plate with it on
Copies of Insurance, V5C and MoT certificates
Add the Breathalyser kits and you should be good to go.
I think the AA has a webpage that covers the requirements:
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/coun...
Enjoy yourself!
First Aid Kit
Warning Triangle
Fire Extinguisher
Hi-Vis Vests (enough for all in the car)
Spare Bulb Kit
GB sticker or number plate with it on
Copies of Insurance, V5C and MoT certificates
Add the Breathalyser kits and you should be good to go.
I think the AA has a webpage that covers the requirements:
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/coun...
Enjoy yourself!
Guys, that's awesome feedback. I will get some pics along the way and do a mini report on pros and cons of what we experience. I am not sure about uploading to AM/Volvo sat nav but I will have a read of manual see if its possible. Will probably do research and piece together an route and programme in the various stages or try one mega route and adjust it by adding in various detours. Seems like I will be sat in car for a few hours programming. Can think of worse places to be...
Just thought I would share with you all how I have set up sat nav and speed camera alert for europe trip.
I have the 2011 maps in HDD and to my surprise they have cameras in France built in which as you all will no doubt know is illegal in France and I think Switzerland.
I hope the police will understand there is not much I can do about it if the latest discs show up cameras. I will get the 2012 version as soon as my supplier has discs which should be any day soon. I imagine there will be no cameras on this copy.
So having researched many a device and apps to see if I could end up with a clean copy of Volvo built in sat nav if stopped (assuming 2012 discs have no French camera POIs) but with a method of keeping an eye open for up and coming cameras, I have opted for CamerAlert. Its a iPhone app which can be loaded up to 3 devices and updates on the database are all covered by a £20 per annum fee.
I have mounted the iPhone in a cradle, got an extension to plug iPhone into connector in armrest and now it runs Bluetooth hands free, plays music, charges, handles emails and text messages and runs CameraAlert all at same time, even muting music to tell you of camera! Used for a week or so and its bang on with alerts and very programmable to fine tune it to your own preferences.
And of course if we are in France and get pulled over, just delete the app. Although I have heard of drivers being caught by Police pulling up along side, but with a Vantage its so low I doubt they could see inside cab.
Dropped second copy onto wife's phone (she gets all the speeding tickets!) for RR. Hooked up using aux input for music and basically it performs as it does in Vantage.
I have the 2011 maps in HDD and to my surprise they have cameras in France built in which as you all will no doubt know is illegal in France and I think Switzerland.
I hope the police will understand there is not much I can do about it if the latest discs show up cameras. I will get the 2012 version as soon as my supplier has discs which should be any day soon. I imagine there will be no cameras on this copy.
So having researched many a device and apps to see if I could end up with a clean copy of Volvo built in sat nav if stopped (assuming 2012 discs have no French camera POIs) but with a method of keeping an eye open for up and coming cameras, I have opted for CamerAlert. Its a iPhone app which can be loaded up to 3 devices and updates on the database are all covered by a £20 per annum fee.
I have mounted the iPhone in a cradle, got an extension to plug iPhone into connector in armrest and now it runs Bluetooth hands free, plays music, charges, handles emails and text messages and runs CameraAlert all at same time, even muting music to tell you of camera! Used for a week or so and its bang on with alerts and very programmable to fine tune it to your own preferences.
And of course if we are in France and get pulled over, just delete the app. Although I have heard of drivers being caught by Police pulling up along side, but with a Vantage its so low I doubt they could see inside cab.
Dropped second copy onto wife's phone (she gets all the speeding tickets!) for RR. Hooked up using aux input for music and basically it performs as it does in Vantage.
Edited by CraigV12V on Monday 9th July 15:40
Just nipped into Halfords to pick up spare bulb kit and the headlight conversion patches (or what ever they are called) for Italy trip this weekend and it seems Halfords have never heard of Aston Martin, its simply not on their database. Any solution other than going to a main dealer? Seems the headlights are dealt with via a couple of plastic patches that stick on and these seem to be universal. Will they work on a V12V?
CraigV12V said:
Just nipped into Halfords to pick up spare bulb kit and the headlight conversion patches (or what ever they are called) for Italy trip this weekend and it seems Halfords have never heard of Aston Martin, its simply not on their database. Any solution other than going to a main dealer? Seems the headlights are dealt with via a couple of plastic patches that stick on and these seem to be universal. Will they work on a V12V?
Spare bulb kit? Should already be one, behind the seats under the little shelf, opposite side to the battery.Won't be on Halfords database as it won't really work on the Aston. As its HID, they tend to have a straighter beam anyway. Two solutions - take conversion patches, but don't use them, if stoped. by Froggy police, pretend to stick them on. Or alter headlight beam by throwing the switch at back of headlight, but will need wheels off and wheel liner off to get at.
Neil1300R said:
Spare bulb kit? Should already be one, behind the seats under the little shelf, opposite side to the battery.
Won't be on Halfords database as it won't really work on the Aston. As its HID, they tend to have a straighter beam anyway. Two solutions - take conversion patches, but don't use them, if stoped. by Froggy police, pretend to stick them on. Or alter headlight beam by throwing the switch at back of headlight, but will need wheels off and wheel liner off to get at.
Perfect. Will put conversion patches in car, unlikely to drive at night anyway.Won't be on Halfords database as it won't really work on the Aston. As its HID, they tend to have a straighter beam anyway. Two solutions - take conversion patches, but don't use them, if stoped. by Froggy police, pretend to stick them on. Or alter headlight beam by throwing the switch at back of headlight, but will need wheels off and wheel liner off to get at.
CraigV12V said:
Neil1300R said:
Spare bulb kit? Should already be one, behind the seats under the little shelf, opposite side to the battery.
Won't be on Halfords database as it won't really work on the Aston. As its HID, they tend to have a straighter beam anyway. Two solutions - take conversion patches, but don't use them, if stoped. by Froggy police, pretend to stick them on. Or alter headlight beam by throwing the switch at back of headlight, but will need wheels off and wheel liner off to get at.
Perfect. Will put conversion patches in car, unlikely to drive at night anyway.Won't be on Halfords database as it won't really work on the Aston. As its HID, they tend to have a straighter beam anyway. Two solutions - take conversion patches, but don't use them, if stoped. by Froggy police, pretend to stick them on. Or alter headlight beam by throwing the switch at back of headlight, but will need wheels off and wheel liner off to get at.
Not really. Actually they probably hate me as I had a V8V (bought via PH) which I was content with and then local dealer phoned me up and asked if I fancy a drive of a Virage. I said no but would fancy a blast in a V12V, they said no problem. I was joking but they obviously know how seductive a V12 is!
They let me drive the thing like Schumacher and I promptly went and bought a second hand one from a Ferrari dealer! What can I tell you they had a stupidly cheap one and sorted an awesome finance package. Dealer was not impressed given I must have taken 5,000 miles off the tires.
So guess I better schlep down there and pay the full banana.
They let me drive the thing like Schumacher and I promptly went and bought a second hand one from a Ferrari dealer! What can I tell you they had a stupidly cheap one and sorted an awesome finance package. Dealer was not impressed given I must have taken 5,000 miles off the tires.
So guess I better schlep down there and pay the full banana.
Dealer just sent me following which indicates we are all exempt from carrying bulbs?
"You do not need a bulb kit for your car due to the car has led lamps fitted & burner headlamp bulbs. But you have to contact our service team leader to have the headlamps changed over to LHD."
Except for headlight change by garage or DIY, is dealer correct?
"You do not need a bulb kit for your car due to the car has led lamps fitted & burner headlamp bulbs. But you have to contact our service team leader to have the headlamps changed over to LHD."
Except for headlight change by garage or DIY, is dealer correct?
Okay, now dealer has phoned me and says most lights are LEDs and thus there are no "bulbs" and main beam is a nigh on £200 item and they have never seen one go, so what is point of carrying a spare albeit its the law in France.
He reckons that to swap bulb direction is a 2 hour job and offered to swap it over and back again for £100 plus VAT which I thought fair. Shame AM could not incorporate a service panel somewhere more accessible given the nature of these vehicles is to tour and most would prefer continental weather to that of UK.
One point he did make is that the "Halfords" type stick on panels are pretty useless on an AM and you run risk of the bulbs melting the back off the sticker and leaving your glass in a state that you may struggle to clean off.
He reckons that to swap bulb direction is a 2 hour job and offered to swap it over and back again for £100 plus VAT which I thought fair. Shame AM could not incorporate a service panel somewhere more accessible given the nature of these vehicles is to tour and most would prefer continental weather to that of UK.
One point he did make is that the "Halfords" type stick on panels are pretty useless on an AM and you run risk of the bulbs melting the back off the sticker and leaving your glass in a state that you may struggle to clean off.
Just buy the cheapest universal kit from halfords? I don't think the French police will actually force you to fit it at the roadside! Especially if you store it in ze zpecial shelf, officer.
Oh and phone your bank / credit cards, tell them which countries and dates you are visiting. Could save a bit of hassle...
Oh and phone your bank / credit cards, tell them which countries and dates you are visiting. Could save a bit of hassle...
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