London to Naples

[truck71]

So, thinking of doing the above in the Tuscan in September. Anyone taken their TVR to Italy through Europe and if so any tips on routes, pitfalls etc? Can you take a TVR through Switzerland? Planning to make a couple of weeks of the trip and spend a few days on the Amalfi coast so no need to rush the journeys.

[so called]

Not driven to Italy yet but certainly no problem in Switzerland (watch your speed).
Was thinking about it this year and looking at overnighting in Strassburg and Genieve.

[Allandwf]

Your going to drive in Naples ? !!!!! You BRAVE man. I love the place, been twice, but drive... not me, organised chaos, sit in Piazza Garabaldi and watch. As an adventure would be superb.

[truck71]

Ha ha, I was going to reply with the usual "life's too short etc" but realised it might be a bit close for comfort. Yep will be a hell of an adventure, just need to convince myself and the prospective new GF it's a good idea..

[SwanJack]

PH'er 'Blueyes' used to take his T350 over to Italy quite often, as well as his Griff IIRC. Haven't seen him post for a long time though.

[rfein]

I have been living in Italy with my Griff 500 for months now.
Gee, where is the adventure? It is a civilised country. You are not going across the Sahara aren't you? You will have nice motorways from England to Naples. Just adapt a bit to the driving habits and rules and you will be fine.
Adventures you will only have when you look for them.
One thing though: Many gas stations do not have 98 or 100 octane petrol, not even on the mayor motorways so fill up as soon as you find one that has it!

[Ribol]

truck71 said:

Can you take a TVR through Switzerland?

Buy a Vignette and you can take anything through Switzerland

Been to Italy a few times in the TVR, not sure I would want to spend much time in Naples in one though - get secure parking if you must.

[truck71]

rfein said:

I have been living in Italy with my Griff 500 for months now.
Gee, where is the adventure? It is a civilised country. You are not going across the Sahara aren't you? You will have nice motorways from England to Naples. Just adapt a bit to the driving habits and rules and you will be fine.
Adventures you will only have when you look for them.
One thing though: Many gas stations do not have 98 or 100 octane petrol, not even on the mayor motorways so fill up as soon as you find one that has it!

You're right the comments thus far are somewhat tongue in cheek, good call on the higher octane fuels though. When you say rules I'm experienced in driving through France/Germany is there anything specificly different for Italy?

Ribol which route(s)did you use on your visits, I'm thinking it's going to need 4 to 5 days travelling at a relaxed pace? Thanks for heads up on parking in Naples, will look for a hotel with just that. Should only be there one night as the Amalfi coast is the ultimate destination.


Cheers.

[Speed eight]

Hello.
Yes, er well.......... I did a very similar trip.
The Amalfi Coast. Wow! Watch out for the motorbikes. It is bloody narrow there and they are bloody fast.

On the first day I drove to the Mont Blanc tunnel........bit disappointing. Not sure what I really expected. But the exhaust fumes in there from all the cars was so thick you could taste them.
First night I stayed in a town called Aossa, I think, well it sounds like that. Northern Italy.

Then onto Pizza, then Rome, then Serrento.
Serento is a lovely place. As for Naples..............Oh my Lord! Well if you MUST then I guess that you must.
I parked late one night in Rome at a huge intersection along with dozens of other cars, right in the road. I though, wow, this is all nice and laid back approach to things. So left the car and went around the corner to my hotel.
Get up around half eight the next day stress free breakfast...walk out to Tuscan,...........OH CHRIST! It's GONE!

I should have moved it by 07:00hrs. Eventually I find it at an out of town storage facility run by the local "Council".........
Some people I found in Naples use there head light after dark, but a lot don't seem to. That was a SURPRISE!

You will pass many great stopping off points and have a good time. But however fast you think you are going, checking your mirrors for the police and looking far ahead..........you will be passed by a battered MK1Fiat Punto!!!!! Full of people and lugage on the roof.....let it go is my advice.

Have a great time, go to Capri for the day.

Regards.
Speed eight.

Edited by Speed eight on Sunday 15th May 08:57

[Ribol]

Speed eight said:

Some people I found in Naples use there head light after dark, but a lot don't seem to. That was a SURPRISE!

Another thing probably worth noting is that in Italy, by law, you have to have dipped headlights on whenever you are out of town, day or night. That means most people never turn them off.

No matter how fast you think you are driving on the motorway there will always be someone behind you flashing you to move over. From my experience the Police will allow a certain amount of latitude with speeding laws unless you go mental. That said, outrunning an unmarked Police car is frowned upon, but doesn't always necessarily result in getting nicked