Driving to Italy. Advice needed please
Discussion
My best mate is getting married in Italy on the 28th of next month and im seriously thinking about driving over in the tiv to Pisa.
Ive done lots of European driving in the past in my Lotus, Porsche and RS Audi.. but I’m a little concerned about the T350.
Does anyone think it’s a wise move to drive over or should I just be a boring sod and fly like everyone else? Ive also only driven to France and Spain in the past and the roads are brilliant. What about the roads in Italy? Any good? Or am I going to ground her every 2 miles? Anyone know the approx distance? I was estimating about 3,000 mile round trip from London? Yikes, I wonder what the petrol bill would be!!
Any advice welcome.
J
Ive done lots of European driving in the past in my Lotus, Porsche and RS Audi.. but I’m a little concerned about the T350.
Does anyone think it’s a wise move to drive over or should I just be a boring sod and fly like everyone else? Ive also only driven to France and Spain in the past and the roads are brilliant. What about the roads in Italy? Any good? Or am I going to ground her every 2 miles? Anyone know the approx distance? I was estimating about 3,000 mile round trip from London? Yikes, I wonder what the petrol bill would be!!
Any advice welcome.
J
honahonT350 said:
Does anyone think it’s a wise move to drive over or should I just be a boring sod and fly like everyone else? Ive also only driven to France and Spain in the past and the roads are brilliant. What about the roads in Italy? Any good? Or am I going to ground her every 2 miles? Anyone know the approx distance? I was estimating about 3,000 mile round trip from London? Yikes, I wonder what the petrol bill would be!!
Borrrring!
If you work it right you can do the Stelvio Pass on route, not too much out of the way. If you do not enjoy the journey then you don’t enjoy driving, simple as that. Italian roads are not as good as French roads but no worse than the UK. The Italian police have a sense of humour(the ones that stopped me did) and adore fast cars.
Can’t comment on the petrol bill but there is not much point in having a decent car if you don’t drive it.
Ribol said:
honahonT350 said:
Does anyone think it’s a wise move to drive over or should I just be a boring sod and fly like everyone else? Ive also only driven to France and Spain in the past and the roads are brilliant. What about the roads in Italy? Any good? Or am I going to ground her every 2 miles? Anyone know the approx distance? I was estimating about 3,000 mile round trip from London? Yikes, I wonder what the petrol bill would be!!
Borrrring!
If you work it right you can do the Stelvio Pass on route, not too much out of the way. If you do not enjoy the journey then you don’t enjoy driving, simple as that. Italian roads are not as good as French roads but no worse than the UK. The Italian police have a sense of humour(the ones that stopped me did) and adore fast cars.
Can’t comment on the petrol bill but there is not much point in having a decent car if you don’t drive it.
Errr.. I LOVE......... driving, hence why I want to drive and not fly. Just looking for info on the route, roads etc. Most importantly will my car get there and back!!. What about Radar detectors? I had mine smashed on the side of the road by French police.. Does the same rule apply in Italy?
The roads are fine in Italy, it's the Italian drivers that are bl**dy dangerous.
I took my 300zx over to Bologna a couple of years ago and loved it.
Radar detectors: Depending on your route they are a big no no in Switzerland, I was held up at the Swiss border trying to talk my way out of trouble about why I had an S6 Snooper set up, the big red car on UK plates didn't help my situation. Ended up convincing them that the speedo in my car was inaccurate as so the GPS was there to make sure I adhered to their speed limits!!
Go for it!
Tim
I took my 300zx over to Bologna a couple of years ago and loved it.
Radar detectors: Depending on your route they are a big no no in Switzerland, I was held up at the Swiss border trying to talk my way out of trouble about why I had an S6 Snooper set up, the big red car on UK plates didn't help my situation. Ended up convincing them that the speedo in my car was inaccurate as so the GPS was there to make sure I adhered to their speed limits!!
Go for it!
Tim
Edited by TT Tim on Thursday 6th July 12:59
honahonT350 said:
Just looking for info on the route, roads etc. Most importantly will my car get there and back!!.
Mine has/would and it is not as modern or fast as yours.
honahonT350 said:
What about Radar detectors? I had mine smashed on the side of the road by French police.. Does the same rule apply in Italy?
Not sure about the exact legal position with radar detectors in Italy but I would take my chances with the Italian police over the French/Swiss/British any day. If you go to any country and take the pi55 they will take it personally. The French seem to have had enough of English people using their country like a race track because we can't do it here.
BTW, according to MS Autoroute, Calais > Pisa > Calais is 1678 miles(no Stelvio).
TT Tim said:
The roads are fine in Italy, it's the Italian drivers that are bl**dy dangerous.
I took my 300zx over to Bologna a couple of years ago and loved it.
Radar detectors: Depending on your route they are a big no no in Switzerland, I was held up at the Swiss border trying to talk my way out of trouble about why I had an S6 Snooper set up, the big red car on UK plates didn't help my situation. Ended up convincing them that the speedo in my car was inaccurate as so the GPS was there to make sure I adhered to their speed limits!!
Go for it!
Tim
I took my 300zx over to Bologna a couple of years ago and loved it.
Radar detectors: Depending on your route they are a big no no in Switzerland, I was held up at the Swiss border trying to talk my way out of trouble about why I had an S6 Snooper set up, the big red car on UK plates didn't help my situation. Ended up convincing them that the speedo in my car was inaccurate as so the GPS was there to make sure I adhered to their speed limits!!
Go for it!
Tim
Edited by TT Tim on Thursday 6th July 12:59
Tim
Was just reading the thread you started about Italy in the Archive. I've always enjoyed driving abroad and really fancy the blast. I’d like to go with someone really but my mates are all to chicken…(mostly Dr’s that think it’s a coffin on wheels)
Ive done Spain on my own and France twice to the south (via Paris to collect a chic
) Also done China to Saigon on a motorbike although that was slightly different 
I’m more keen on taking in the sites and sounds as opposed to blasting through and I’m sure that the Italians will be wanting a burn up. Been through France enough so the Germany swiss route etc looks much better.
If you have a good route, please let me know.
Thanks
J
ooohh, I might be able to let you know a bit more at the end of the month.
I'm driving to San Remo for five nights on the 20th of this month, via an overnight stop in Reims, two nights in Milan (Robbie Williams
) and a further night in Reims on the way back.
I've drove in Italy with hire cars and there doesn't seem to be any rules of any kind. The fastest vehicle appears to have right of way at junctions, and they only stop for people on crossings when they think there's a risk of damaging their own car.
In Sicily every parked vehicle seems to have at least one dented panel.
That said, every time I've booked anything in advance, my car has refused to play ball & consequently broke down.
Stiff gear changes have appeared this week, and most probably some kind of clutch problem is going to be it's excuse to get out of this trip.
Mi machino e rotto, or something like that
I'm driving to San Remo for five nights on the 20th of this month, via an overnight stop in Reims, two nights in Milan (Robbie Williams
) and a further night in Reims on the way back. I've drove in Italy with hire cars and there doesn't seem to be any rules of any kind. The fastest vehicle appears to have right of way at junctions, and they only stop for people on crossings when they think there's a risk of damaging their own car.
In Sicily every parked vehicle seems to have at least one dented panel.
That said, every time I've booked anything in advance, my car has refused to play ball & consequently broke down.
Stiff gear changes have appeared this week, and most probably some kind of clutch problem is going to be it's excuse to get out of this trip.
Mi machino e rotto, or something like that
What kind of question is that? Take the TIV...just be very carefull once you are in Italy...they navigate by ear...if they hear a crunching noise, thay know they should have stopped...but across the alps and all...brilliant..Leave your radar detector at home. In virtually any European country, they are forbidden and even if (!) you can blag yourself out of it, why tempt fate?? Enjoy the trip...
Lutz said:
What kind of question is that? Take the TIV...just be very carefull once you are in Italy...they navigate by ear...if they hear a crunching noise, thay know they should have stopped...but across the alps and all...brilliant..Leave your radar detector at home. In virtually any European country, they are forbidden and even if (!) you can blag yourself out of it, why tempt fate?? Enjoy the trip...
I was just stupid I guess, at the time I didn't even realise that there were any regulations as to the use of radar detectors across Europe. The ironic thing was the only time it went off was about 20 miles from Coquelle as the French plod picked off the speeding Brits.
Tim
honahonT350 said:
TT Tim said:
The roads are fine in Italy, it's the Italian drivers that are bl**dy dangerous.
I took my 300zx over to Bologna a couple of years ago and loved it.
Radar detectors: Depending on your route they are a big no no in Switzerland, I was held up at the Swiss border trying to talk my way out of trouble about why I had an S6 Snooper set up, the big red car on UK plates didn't help my situation. Ended up convincing them that the speedo in my car was inaccurate as so the GPS was there to make sure I adhered to their speed limits!!
Go for it!
Tim
I took my 300zx over to Bologna a couple of years ago and loved it.
Radar detectors: Depending on your route they are a big no no in Switzerland, I was held up at the Swiss border trying to talk my way out of trouble about why I had an S6 Snooper set up, the big red car on UK plates didn't help my situation. Ended up convincing them that the speedo in my car was inaccurate as so the GPS was there to make sure I adhered to their speed limits!!
Go for it!
Tim
Edited by TT Tim on Thursday 6th July 12:59
Tim
Was just reading the thread you started about Italy in the Archive. I've always enjoyed driving abroad and really fancy the blast. I’d like to go with someone really but my mates are all to chicken…(mostly Dr’s that think it’s a coffin on wheels)
Ive done Spain on my own and France twice to the south (via Paris to collect a chic
) Also done China to Saigon on a motorbike although that was slightly different I’m more keen on taking in the sites and sounds as opposed to blasting through and I’m sure that the Italians will be wanting a burn up. Been through France enough so the Germany swiss route etc looks much better.
If you have a good route, please let me know.
Thanks
J
I can't remember my exact route tbh, it seemed to take in just about every country!
I broke the journey in Stutgart and then at lake Como, it was a great journey, Switzerland was beautiful if hard work making sure the you kept within the speed limits. Como was breathtaking, but the loony Italians don't give an inch and on the gallery roads it's a bit hairy - reminiscent of the Italian Job.
Here's the view over lake Como from our hotel room:
Tim
TT Tim said:
I can't remember my exact route tbh, it seemed to take in just about every country!
I broke the journey in Stutgart and then at lake Como, it was a great journey, Switzerland was beautiful if hard work making sure the you kept within the speed limits. Como was breathtaking, but the loony Italians don't give an inch and on the gallery roads it's a bit hairy - reminiscent of the Italian Job.
Did something similar a few years back (2001 I think).
Funny to see all the same cars you've been accidentally convoying with through Switzerland, crawling along at the speed limit, suddenly go banzai after crossing the border!
anonymous said:
[redacted]
morning all!!!
forget flying and hiring a car - yep, it maybe cheaper but it's a holiday and one you'll be kicking yourself for not taking the car with you.
London - Pisa is around 1,100 miles and depending on the route you take and can be done in 16 hours.
I tend to drive through the night as there's less traffic, no/very few police and it's far, far cooler. I leave London at 6pm and am 'in piazza' for a lunchtime beer.
Routes to Italy are like bumholes, everybody's got one
I prefer to save cash on tolls and spend it on fuel hence why i avoid all motorways and just use N roads through France - from Calais head toward Reims, Chalons, Vitry Le Francois, Moulhouse/Basel (or Bale as the Swiss like to call it), into Switzerland, Lugano, Gottardo, Milan.
From there it's up to you but I recommend the Parma - La Spezia motorway (Parma - mare (sea)) and head south to Pisa along the coast. Up to Fornovo (about half way) it's arrow straight and flat (Vmax) and from there to La Spezia it's the most fantastic, twisting, elevated motorway I've ever been on. The locals use the hard shoulder to find the line round corners
As previously said, the roads in Italy aren't as good as in France but better than in Blighty.
Don't forget to keep your headlights on all the time on the motorway (required by law) and Italians only have 2 types of accidents, near misses and fatalities. You will find a 900cc Fiat Panda diesel up your chuff at 110 with the outside indicator on trying to get past. Generally though they have respect for faster cars and will move out of the way if you want to press on (unlike over here). Keep your wits about you and you should be fine.
Your Tiv will get loads and loads of attention from everyone and on mortorways the BiB just generally cruise on the hard shoulder, shades on and arm hanging out of their Alfas smoking an Marlboro. Unless the law has changed recently radar detectors are legal and I've only seen 1 speed trap (on a main road) in the 31 years that I've been going over there - all the on coming traffic were flashing their lights and beeping horns to warn though.
Writing all this has made me excited from when I drive over next month - have a good trip!!
sleep envy said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
morning all!!!
forget flying and hiring a car - yep, it maybe cheaper but it's a holiday and one you'll be kicking yourself for not taking the car with you.
London - Pisa is around 1,100 miles and depending on the route you take and can be done in 16 hours.
I tend to drive through the night as there's less traffic, no/very few police and it's far, far cooler. I leave London at 6pm and am 'in piazza' for a lunchtime beer.
Routes to Italy are like bumholes, everybody's got one
I prefer to save cash on tolls and spend it on fuel hence why i avoid all motorways and just use N roads through France - from Calais head toward Reims, Chalons, Vitry Le Francois, Moulhouse/Basel (or Bale as the Swiss like to call it), into Switzerland, Lugano, Gottardo, Milan.
From there it's up to you but I recommend the Parma - La Spezia motorway (Parma - mare (sea)) and head south to Pisa along the coast. Up to Fornovo (about half way) it's arrow straight and flat (Vmax) and from there to La Spezia it's the most fantastic, twisting, elevated motorway I've ever been on. The locals use the hard shoulder to find the line round corners
As previously said, the roads in Italy aren't as good as in France but better than in Blighty.
Don't forget to keep your headlights on all the time on the motorway (required by law) and Italians only have 2 types of accidents, near misses and fatalities. You will find a 900cc Fiat Panda diesel up your chuff at 110 with the outside indicator on trying to get past. Generally though they have respect for faster cars and will move out of the way if you want to press on (unlike over here). Keep your wits about you and you should be fine.
Your Tiv will get loads and loads of attention from everyone and on mortorways the BiB just generally cruise on the hard shoulder, shades on and arm hanging out of their Alfas smoking an Marlboro. Unless the law has changed recently radar detectors are legal and I've only seen 1 speed trap (on a main road) in the 31 years that I've been going over there - all the on coming traffic were flashing their lights and beeping horns to warn though.
Writing all this has made me excited from when I drive over next month - have a good trip!!
good call! (Careful of the Porcini pushers on the hard shoulder with their home-made flags during Autumn time
) Great stretch of road Parma - La Spezia, must have done it 1000 times visiting family
If youre feeling really brave, have a crack on the Via Emilia, triple overtaking on a 2 lane A road
sleep envy said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
morning all!!!
forget flying and hiring a car - yep, it maybe cheaper but it's a holiday and one you'll be kicking yourself for not taking the car with you.
London - Pisa is around 1,100 miles and depending on the route you take and can be done in 16 hours.
I tend to drive through the night as there's less traffic, no/very few police and it's far, far cooler. I leave London at 6pm and am 'in piazza' for a lunchtime beer.
Routes to Italy are like bumholes, everybody's got one
I prefer to save cash on tolls and spend it on fuel hence why i avoid all motorways and just use N roads through France - from Calais head toward Reims, Chalons, Vitry Le Francois, Moulhouse/Basel (or Bale as the Swiss like to call it), into Switzerland, Lugano, Gottardo, Milan.
From there it's up to you but I recommend the Parma - La Spezia motorway (Parma - mare (sea)) and head south to Pisa along the coast. Up to Fornovo (about half way) it's arrow straight and flat (Vmax) and from there to La Spezia it's the most fantastic, twisting, elevated motorway I've ever been on. The locals use the hard shoulder to find the line round corners
As previously said, the roads in Italy aren't as good as in France but better than in Blighty.
Don't forget to keep your headlights on all the time on the motorway (required by law) and Italians only have 2 types of accidents, near misses and fatalities. You will find a 900cc Fiat Panda diesel up your chuff at 110 with the outside indicator on trying to get past. Generally though they have respect for faster cars and will move out of the way if you want to press on (unlike over here). Keep your wits about you and you should be fine.
Your Tiv will get loads and loads of attention from everyone and on mortorways the BiB just generally cruise on the hard shoulder, shades on and arm hanging out of their Alfas smoking an Marlboro. Unless the law has changed recently radar detectors are legal and I've only seen 1 speed trap (on a main road) in the 31 years that I've been going over there - all the on coming traffic were flashing their lights and beeping horns to warn though.
Writing all this has made me excited from when I drive over next month - have a good trip!!
What a post, Thanks very much.
Ive done a quick RAC auto route check and have left out the toll roads and motorways… how does this route look?
www.rac.co.uk/web/routeplanner?mid=PRT_RACNTAND&rid=THTRYBDPRAC_2_7_9_29_29_SHORTA5F3T2.0_FrTfT2.0ComVec_v1CoCtyVect._NoReg&sid=0218d569b516f62efa33cd06cd649e55&maptype=java&grn=1&RouteType=Both&StartLocation=London++%28UK%29&EndLocation=Pisa+56+%28IT%29&sx=-7.629&sy=3090.3792&dx=623.9328&dy=2622.5982&scity=London&dcity=Pisa&scountry=gb&dcountry=it&mode=test&f=1&t=0&prefa=5&a=1&action=route&link=true
It says 900 miles which is far less than I thought! Ive also bought got the Navman 350 Satnav but im really not sure how much I trust it. Your route sounds amazing so I might just program it to go via all the places you have mentioned.
When are you going? Im going on either the Friday or Saturday 26/7th August, possible convoy ????. I really can’t wait.
Fingers crossed the T350 will be fine, Ive been told by another forum member that it’s one of the best running tivs they’ve been in. She’s been near perfect (bat a couple of squeaks and rattles) so with any luck I will be fine.
Bring it on.
honahont350 said:
What a post, Thanks very much.
Ive done a quick RAC auto route check and have left out the toll roads and motorways… how does this route look?
It says 900 miles which is far less than I thought! Ive also bought got the Navman 350 Satnav but im really not sure how much I trust it. Your route sounds amazing so I might just program it to go via all the places you have mentioned.
When are you going? Im going on either the Friday or Saturday 26/7th August, possible convoy ????. I really can’t wait.
Fingers crossed the T350 will be fine, Ive been told by another forum member that it’s one of the best running tivs they’ve been in. She’s been near perfect (bat a couple of squeaks and rattles) so with any luck I will be fine.
Bring it on.
Ive done a quick RAC auto route check and have left out the toll roads and motorways… how does this route look?
It says 900 miles which is far less than I thought! Ive also bought got the Navman 350 Satnav but im really not sure how much I trust it. Your route sounds amazing so I might just program it to go via all the places you have mentioned.
When are you going? Im going on either the Friday or Saturday 26/7th August, possible convoy ????. I really can’t wait.
Fingers crossed the T350 will be fine, Ive been told by another forum member that it’s one of the best running tivs they’ve been in. She’s been near perfect (bat a couple of squeaks and rattles) so with any luck I will be fine.
Bring it on.
You're welcome!
Your route isn't far off my own.
A few tips - if you do decide to drive through the night don't let the tank go below half full, although there are a fair number of petrol stations you can never guarantee that the next one will be open, hide the radar if you go through switzerland and don't speed (they love to dish out fines), it's cheaper to buy a vignette over here than at the swiss border and finally have a great drive!
Not sure when I'm going over yet due to family commitments both over there and here - will bear it in mind though.
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