Dover or Harwich for Italy
Off to Italy next spring. Traveling from Norfolk. Which is the best route ? Hook of Holland or Calais. Nice scenic route would be good. It appears to be shorter by the Hook. Are the roads as good? Less Tolls too I believe but maybe wrong. What are your thoughts and experiences. We have nearly 4 weeks so no need to rush. Will be in our Motorhome too.
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It depends where in Italy you are going. Distances, times and tolls/ toll free routes to all destinations on ViaMichelin.com . Sounds a lovely holiday. Take care.
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As Eurotraveller says, it depends which part of Italy you are visiting. As we always go the same way I am not much help, but, for the record, from Calais the fastest route uses Autoroutes to Reims, Metz, Strasbourg then into Switzerland at Basel, leaving at Locarno or Lugano. Autoroute tolls are quite high and you need the vignettes for Switzerland (one for a Motorhome, two for car plus Caravan).
There are many attractive alternative routes via Luxembourg, Germany and Austria and each has their champions who no doubt will be contributing shortly!
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I to live in Norfolk and last year I went to Italy. Went via Dover- Calais, motorway all the way, tolls were £84 and Swiss Vignette £64. On return (as I already had a valid vignette) I return Switzerland via Germany and Holland to the Hook. When we go again I will definitely use Harwich and down through Germany to Austria.
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Thank you for your replies. May seem strange but not decided where in Italy to start as yet. Got some homework to do now. Would like pretty but un touristy. Not keen on too many people and would like to see the real Italy. So Hook of Holland seem favourite at the moment.
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Hook is a good crossing to use for Italy, travel down through Germany and through Austria (plenty of ACSI Sites)to avoid the more expensive French and Swiss Tolls. Ships are spacious and restaurants pleasant (pricier than the western routes). If you are thinking of using the overnight arriving on Saturday or Sunday morning can be preferable to a weekday due heavy traffic in the Rotterdam area. If using the day ferry Delft Hout is a good option if you need a site on arrival. Campsites at the Lakes get very busy during the second half of May when the Germans have their two week spring break. Italy is a lovely country to visit with a multitude of tourist areas, Cinque Terre, Tuscany, Umbria, Venice, the Lakes, Amalfi Coast, San Marino etc etc.
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We have used Dover many times but in 2015 went via Harwich and really enjoyed the trip. If heading East again to Italy we would definitely consider the route as it avoids expensive tolls across France from our preferred Roscoff crossing.
We entered Austria via the Fern Pass with MH friends, so as to avoid them having to get a GoBox, and if you go via Landeck town, as oppposed to the Landecker Tunnel, it’s totally toll free.
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Not quite sure what the "real Italy" is? Most of the interesting places are busy with tourists because that is what Italy does!!! Perhaps south of Florence and north of Rome might suit, somewhere like Lake Trasimeno?
David
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Thank you kindly. Its giving us food for thought. Any more experiences would be most welcome
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If you're in no rush and spending some time en-route then a visit to Kaukenhof in the spring is an option. The Romantic Strasse through Germany is a pretty route with lots of motorhome stopovers (Stellpltaz) close to the town centres.
The Fern Pass in Austria and its approaches is picturesque and offers lots of interesting places to visit (eg Fussen, Reute). We usually leave the Brenner Pass and drive via Dobbiaco and Cortina which has some stunning scenery and lots of interesting places to stop.
Verona, Vicenza, Venice, Trieste are all worth a visit and with the exception of Venice (which is always busy) they are often quiet during term time.
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Wildflowers everywhere in the hills in the Sibillini National Park in Umbria in June - staying at Collacio Camping at Preci is as good as anywhere for that region.
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