Driving to Italy. Checklist

[The Trucker]

I'm driving the chim to Italy on holiday shortly and am making a list of things to sort out/buy/check etc. the list so far includes:-

full service carried out
red triangle
spare bulbs
spare serp. belt
european breakdown cover sorted
ins docs/licence/reg doc/bible
phone nos. for specialists/spares people
tools/black tape/cable ties
headlight stickers

Anybody got any other stuff to add??

The armour plating is on order but have had to give the surface to surface missiles a miss due to cost!! (I've heard about Italian driving)

[spend]

Most of Europe requires a first aid kit (norm included in the triangle package) & some require a high-vis jacket I think.

100A fuse spares if you need them (not all do) are useful.

Driving in Italy is fine outside the big cities, actually very enjoyable IMHO. In my experience you are more likely to have Police encouraging you to go faster rather than feeling your collar.

Dave

[gier]

Include the 100 amp fuse, throtle cable (not sure if I wrote this correctly), tyre welt if driving without a spare and you are about spot on. Can't tow a trailer with spares, can we?

By the way, I am driving in my 99 4.5 Chim from Amsterdam to the North of Italy leaving this monday. Don't forget to drive the Stelvio Pass with its 48 hairpins. Absolutely stunning.

Have a pleasant drive. Take care,

Hans

Oh yes, also bring "the Bible" and a TomTom is an asset.

[sjpalmer1]

GB stickers or numberplates.
When I drove down to the Amalfi cost I found that local drivers generally gave you plenty of room as they believe that British drivers are more aggresive than them.

[SimonV8ster]

HT lead( the longest one), fuel pump (45 quid off ebay).

I found that driving through the South of France was bloody dangerous !! Italy was better, nowhere near as bad as I'd imagined.

Have fun !! Last couple of years I've had driving holidays around South Of France/Switzerland/Italy but don't think I'm going this year

I'm very envious !!

Edited by SimonV8ster on Saturday 26th May 20:21

[UK_WS6]

The Trucker said:

I'm driving the chim to Italy on holiday shortly and am making a list of things to sort out/buy/check etc. the list so far includes:-

full service carried out
red triangle
spare bulbs
spare serp. belt
european breakdown cover sorted
ins docs/licence/reg doc/bible
phone nos. for specialists/spares people
tools/black tape/cable ties
headlight stickers

Anybody got any other stuff to add??

The armour plating is on order but have had to give the surface to surface missiles a miss due to cost!! (I've heard about Italian driving)

,
,
Hi - vis jacket or vest.
1 for each vehicle occupant.

[SpudMurphy]

The Chimaera Pages website has the best list of what to take that I've seen:

http://www.chimaerapages.com/touring.php

I wouldn't travel without anything on that list. Recovery insurance is also a must IMHO.

I plan to drive to Italy in my Chim next year but have done it many times in other cars and always think that you are faced with three choices when getting there or returning:

1. Motorways - easy driving but sooooo dull. Well maintained and relatively traffic free most of the time. Tolls quite expensive. Petrol and maybe an overnight stay all adds up.
2. A Roads - interesting but quite slow - fine if not in a hurry but quite wearing I imagine in a TVR. Two days minimum either way.
3. Car train - perhaps I'm showing my age but this is my preferred method of travel. V. expensive but so easy to use. Early or late evening departure and an early morning arrival in Brive, Avignon or Nice is perfect for starting or ending your trip to Italy. This website gives a very good overview of what's involved:

http://www.railsavers.com

I also have to factor a 300 mile drive through the UK as I live in Ireland so anything that makes the getting to Italy easier gets my vote.

Edited by SpudMurphy on Saturday 26th May 20:48

Edited by SpudMurphy on Sunday 27th May 09:23

[Robin Hood]

It's obligatory to have 2 warning triangles now so that on a 'A' type road one can be positioned some distance behind the car and another similarly to the front.

High visibilty vests or jackets with EU approved marking required for each occupant of the car. These have to be kept inside the car so they can be put on before actually getting out. They're no good in the boot and if stopped at a road side check without them in the car a wrist slapping is forthcoming.

If the driver wears spectacles a spare pair must always be carried.

http://www.driving-abroad.info/driving-in-italy

[The Trucker]

Thanks for the replies guys,high vis jacket and 100 amp fuse are going in and i'll be getting a new Tom Tom as mine was nicked out of my wagon on Tuesday!like I needed that!

By the way if anybody is offered a Tom Tom unit without a lead or mount in the Ealing area, it could be mine!!

Anyway, back to Italy, it sounds like driving over there comes highly recommended and I'm looking forward to it even more!!

Cheers,

Paul.

[pies]

http://www.ehicard.org/?gclid=CMabirzarIwCFRvLEAod...

[spend]

PS Autobahns are fun as well as being free.... I've never understood why people would wish to use the French Toll roads when they could use the unlimited Autobahns for free. Brenner Pass & its tunnels are also excellent even tho the Austrians & Italians charge tolls. If you take the German route you also get to pass Spa, the Ring & Hockenheim, not withstanding the Schumi Kart school near the border.

I guess a lot depends where you are heading, but I would always try to avail myself of the unrestricted roads

Dave

[biggiles]

SpudMurphy said:

3. Car train - perhaps I'm showing my age but this is my preferred method of travel. V. expensive but so easy to use. Early or late evening departure and an early morning arrival in Brive, Avignon or Nice is perfect for starting or ending your trip to Italy. This website gives a very good overview of what's involved:

http://www.railsavers.com

I have to say I probably agree with you!

Have you ever had any problems with getting the car on to a train re angles/clearance?

FWIW, I know Chimaera have been known to get on to the Isle of Wight ferry- there should probably be a web page somewhere with sport car clearance notes for various ferries and trains!

[V41LEY]

The Trucker said:

I'm driving the chim to Italy on holiday shortly and am making a list of things to sort out/buy/check etc. the list so far includes:-

full service carried out
red triangle
spare bulbs
spare serp. belt
european breakdown cover sorted
ins docs/licence/reg doc/bible
phone nos. for specialists/spares people
tools/black tape/cable ties
headlight stickers

Anybody got any other stuff to add??

The armour plating is on order but have had to give the surface to surface missiles a miss due to cost!! (I've heard about Italian driving)

Passport
Ferry Tickets

[schmokin1]

address of ferrari, lamborghini, maserati and alfa factories for the tours!!