Swiss and Italy first timers
My husband and I are venturing i past France for the first time and heading to Lake Como and then Switzerland in our motorhome. We're complete first timers for these areas and we're trying to get as much info as we can before we go!
We've been looking at the CMC site, La Riva in Lake Como and wondered if anybody knew if there was a bus stop in easy walking distance as we would like to see some of the area - any tips/suggestions most welcome 
We're planning a trip to Milan, but that's all we have so far.
We are then heading to the Lauterbrunnen region in Switzerland where we plan on going up the Jungfraujoch and a visit Brienz - maybe the boat ride, but again any suggestions welcome
. As far as routes go, we would use the motorways as we'd like to get to places as quick as possible so understand we need a vignette. We are slightly concerned about driving conditions though Switzerland - as we don't want to be braving steep mountains. I've read about the tunnels, but thought I would check with the experts (all of you), first and any driving tips you might have.
Thanks you,
Michelle
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Hi Michelle, Lake Como is beautiful and lots of sites that are far better placed than La Riva-David Klyne has stayed there so will have better local knowledge but it is quite remote.
We stayed at Campin Rannochio at Piano Porlezza which is on a nature reserve lake, has a bus stop on the road out side and a supermarket about 5 mins away.
Menaggio is the nearest lake town and you can visit m,any places using the ferries.
As for the driving I doubt you will have any issues but do check re vignettes as MH as heavier ones are better using a differmnt system-not sure of details as we are caravanners.
Have a great trip.
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If you are reasonably young and reasonably active I think you will find plenty to do from a base at Lauterbrunnen - as well as riding the Jungfrau train with all the Chinese tourists there are innumerable opportunities for high level walking - with mountain railways and cable cars to get you up there, and lake steamers fanning out on Thunersee and Brienzersee.
Many motorhomers are always looking for transport to get around and there can't be many places with easier transport of that sort than in Switzerland. But please don't just choose one single Swiss campsite because it's in the Club overseas reservations book - it's worth touring other parts of that country while you are there. Take all your bank cards!
I don't know Sorico in Italy at all but agree with Allan and Jean that it looks isolated for motorhomers without a car to get around.
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Hi kmn we stayed at La Riva back in 2016 and thought it was a lovely site right by the lake with a lovely little pool and good facilities, there’s a bus stop outside the site but this is a quiet part of the lake remember, there are also water taxis/ferries crossing the lake but non near to La Riva, we’re caravanners so we had no problems getting about.
We caught a train to Milan one day from Colico and remember it being reasonable priced and just under an hour to Milan.
As for Swiss it’s a stunning motorway to drive on and well worth the vignette money, we’ve been to Interlaken which is a great place to base yourself and did the Jungfrau too but it’s a long day but worth it.
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The quickest route to Italy from the channel ports is Rheims, Metz, Strasbourg, then Basel which we have done dozens of times. From anywhere in the Alsace region (Strasbourg to Colmar) you can get through Switzerland and into Italy in a day. For a mortorhome of less than 3500kg you just need one vignette which you can buy at the border.
The route through Switzerland is stunning and very easy. The St Gottard tunnel is fine although occasionally in high season there can be delays as they stop the traffic periodically to reduce pollution in the tunnel. Coming back to the fabulous Interlaken you need to stick to the motorway via Bern and then retrace your steps back to Basel (it’s a bit of a dead end).
Can’t help with Como as nowadays we always go to Lake Maggiore as it is so much easier. From Locarno it’s not far to Cannobio on the West side of the lake.
Take local advice on weather conditions before doing the Jungfrau trip as it is hellishly expensive and it will be disappointing if there is too much cloud or mist.
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As per previous posts La Riva is a little isolated compared to sites further south nearer Como. One tip you buy tickets for some buses at tabacs in Italy they aren't sold on all buses. Fuel is dearer in Italy top up prior to entry, many fuel stations other than autostradas are closed on Public Holidays/Sundays and from 12-3pm unless you use a card, autostrada`s have fuel stations with manned or unmanned pumps, manned pumps are about 20 cents dearer per litre. There are three main ways of obtaining a vignette buy from website prior to travel, buy from a fuel station prior to entry or buy at the border, Basle is easiest you will find they are more interested in the vignette money than anything else cost 40 S Francs if under 3.5T if you are over 3.5T more complicated plenty of info on web. The Caravan Club Overseas Site Guides are well worth the money for information including details of Alpine Tunnels and Passes and their suitability and rules for transit. Keep in low gear on downhills and the speed low, obvious on the face of it but long steepish downhills soon raise the temperature of the brakes as I once found out! Personally I would spend the money on a cable car to the Schilthorn or similar the train to the Jungfrau is an expensive ride in a tunnel in the Eiger but that's just a personal opinion, you will certainly notice the altitude of the Jungfau and it can be a bit unpleasant for some if fitness level is low. If using public transport including the above you will benefit from studying the various discount tickets on offer from Swiss Travel, one final point Switzerland can be described as expensive overall.
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Michelle
The roads through Switzerland are excellent so don’t worry about encountering very steep sections on motorways. Unless you’re going in late July or the first 3 weeks in August I’d recommend you don’t book sites for long periods but move around to find a site that suits you best. Camping Jungfrau is in a beautiful setting and is handy for mountain trains. Buying a short term railway travel pass is a more economical way to visit the area.
Site around Como can be very busy at holiday periods so if you haven’t pre-booked try to arrive before lunch time. In our experience sites around Lake Como tend to be cramped. Those around Lake Maggiore are more open and pitches tend to be larger.
Trains in Italy are comfortable, reliable and very cheap compared to the UK. Don’t be tempted to drive into Milan with your motorhome but find a site or Sostas (the equivalent to the French motorhome Aires) near to a station. The roof of the cathedral in Milan is well worth a visit. Campsites (along with most things) in Switzerland are expensive but it’s a beautiful country and well worth visiting.
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Thank you so much for your reply. Having never been and not being familiar with the area, its so difficult to try and work out what's in the area. We hadn't even heard of Menaggio and I must say having a quick google, it looks gorgeous.
Thanks again!
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Oh my, what a gorgeous setting! It does sound a little way out for those without a car. That's so useful to know about Milan, we were wondering how to get there after googling some bizarre routes! Now we can start to piece together.
Thanks again,
Michelle
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This is so helpful, thank you. I think our motorhome is over that weight, will double check.
Very relived to hear the route through Switzerland is easy. We'll be going June 1st, hopefully it won't be too busy then.
Jungfrau trip is defiantly on our list, so thanks for the weather tip and Lake Maggiore, hadn't even heard of it, so great to look at other options.
Thank you again,
Michelle
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Hi there, this is such great information, thank you! Husband looked a bit green at the downhill comment
We've just checked and our outfit is over that weight so I will look into it.
We will definitely be using public transport as once the motorhome is parked up, that's where it will stay. It sounds like it's worth getting tickets/passes in advance then and I'll have a look on Swiss travel. Is Switzerland really that expensive versus France etc?
Thank again for all your help.
Michelle
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Michelle
We have been to La Riva but it was ten years ago now but I don't suppose much has changed. Some pictures here http://www.davidklyne.co.uk/camping_la_riva.htm If you do go I would certainly recommend a visit to Villa Charlotta at Tremezzo which is right on the lakeside. You may even be able to reach it from other sites, perhaps even by steamer. The actual site is on a river which runs into Lake Como but a short walk brings you to the local village.
David
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Hi Dave,
This is so helpful, thank you. Husband very relieved to hear about the roads, step hills were a bit of a worry as our motorhome is quite long, but feel better about it now.
We're going June 1st and we were planning on booking camping Jungfrau, so great to hear firsthand that its a good location.
You're the second person that's mention lake Maggiore - I haven't looked at it before, but exactly the reason I posted, to get more information. We did notice from photos that sites on Como looked very cramped, hence we were looking at Riva, but it doesn't seem a good base for those without transport. Is there a vast difference between the two lakes? We're just after taking in the views on a campsite with good transport links and a bar with a bit of food
We defiantly won't be driving into Milan, we're not that brave! We're planning on getting the train from wherever we end up. I've heard many say Milan isn't worth the effort, but I always thought it would be, so great to hear it is!
Thanks again,
Michelle
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Firstly, Switzerland is VERY expensive, especially the alpine trains. There is an overnight site that we have used several times and is nothing special but is around 50 Euros a night. If you stop for coffee and cake on the motorway you will get a nasty shock! Dining out is almost unaffordable but at least with self catering you can choose what to buy.
All the Italian lakes are crowded and busy and you need to be aware that they are particularly popular with Germans during school holidays and may be full during times that we regard as out of season. You can research school holidays on the Internet and watch out for southern German holidays. Stuttgart to Maggiore is not much more than half a days travel.
I always recommend Maggiore as it is stunning and has many attractions. Stick to the west side starting with Cannobio (which is where we will be going back to again this year). You can move down to the busier town of Verbania and from there a day trip to the beautiful islands (Isola Bella etc.) is a must (ferry or bus). There are many other attractions (cable cars etc.) and the ferries are great for getting around.
We often come back over the Simplon pass via Domodossola which has been improved massively in recent years. It is steep in parts but an easy pass. Last time we came back to Zermatt and went on the Gorgnegrat Bahn (railway) past the Matterhorn. Fabulous views of distant peaks and were lucky to have perfect blue skies. Next day it rained as we were leaving!
Whatever you do I am sure you will enjoy the Italian lakes and Switzerland. There is nothing quite like it.
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Hi
We are motorhomers and avoid rthe Reims/A26/A4 Strasbourg route like the plague due to the French toll costs.
Much better toll free through Belgium and Luxembourg. It is a few miles further but dont forget cheap diesel in Luxembourg. We filled up last week at around 95p per litre, plus cigarettes are cheap if thats of interest.
We are regulars to Italy and have tried and tested many routes, all year round, motorwayd and mountain passes. In fact, we are just back from New Year at Lake Garda which was totally out of this world.
Anyway, we have a list of toll free routes which as said, are all tried and tested. These are available to read and interact with on our blog.
Cheers
Russ
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Conversely, we avoid Belgium and Germany like the plague due to traffic and road surfaces. You get what you pay for with the Autoroutes in France, the free ones are noticeably worse than the toll ones. If saving money is important then I agree that Belgium/Germany is a good option but in this case the OP said they weren’t concerned about tolls and just wanted the best route.
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Tend to agree. A much better driving experience going down through France via Chalons and Metz (if you are going into Germany) even if it does cost. The route through Belgium tends to be very busy so much more relaxing to go done through France.
David
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My last time to Italy I used the autoroutes and the tolls where over £80 one way then of course the vignette for car and caravan. I usually go Holland and Germany so much better IMO
Edit: The actual driving time through France (from the tunnel) to Milan was just over 16 hours
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It's fair to say that the Belian motorways have improved dramatically in the last few years - possibly as a result of the tolls imposed on lorries. For example, the stretch from Mons (near the French border) to Arlon (towards Luxembourg) is as smooth as anything and is three lanes throughout now.
Russ
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