Advice on Fastest Route to italy MH is 4.5t, 3.1m high End Of April (1 Viewer)

zac

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So i have now had confirmation that we can go to Italy leaving around the 21 April in the evening. Because we only have just over 2 weeks (to be back in the uk by 8 May) i need to ensure we go the quickest route (work gets in the way).

I have been reading some posts on here and it seems i need some sort of device for the roads depending on which country/route i go.

I could do with some pointers on where to head to in Italy, we want to do the lakes (no idea about this), and for around 30 April my wife wants to go on one of those gondola's for anniversary. We like peace and quiet but scenery is the all important part.

Any tips / pointers greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance
 
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Calais/Reims/Dijon/Chamonix and the tunnel takes roughly the same amount of time and is roughly the same distance. Cost wise you will save the HVF in Switzerland but pay the toll for the Mont Blanc tunnel so it will cost about €20 more.

It also depends on how quickly you want to get there. We love Chamonix so would usually take the chance to stop there for a couple of days.

If you stay at Lake Garda, the Easternmost one, you can get a train to Venice for the gondolas easily enough.
 
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zac

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Calais/Reims/Dijon/Chamonix and the tunnel takes roughly the same amount of time and is roughly the same distance. Cost wise you will save the HVF in Switzerland but pay the toll for the Mont Blanc tunnel so it will cost about €20 more.

It also depends on how quickly you want to get there. We love Chamonix so would usually take the chance to stop there for a couple of days.

If you stay at Lake Garda, the Easternmost one, you can get a train to Venice for the gondolas easily enough.

That sounds good, Calais/Reims/Dijon/Chamonix
We have a 300cc scooter for transport if need be, we wont be stopping on the way down so the fastest route possible and for the sake of €20. What is the "HVF"?

We are also over 3.0m so will that put us in the HGV category as if so it says it is 245 euros return?

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What is tehe "HVF"?

The Heavy Vehicle Fee for Switzerland.

If you're under 3.5t you can get a vignette for CHF40 that lasts 12 months.

Over 3.5t you pay the HVF which, last time I looked, is CHF3,25 per day and you have to prepay for a minimum of 10 days so for a short visit is actually cheaper. You stop and pay it at the border.

We have a 300cc scooter for transport if need be

That's fine if you're going to move your van from the lakes nearer to Venice. It's about 100 miles of Italian roads from the South end of Lake Garda so probably not advisable on a scooter.
 
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zac

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The Heavy Vehicle Fee for Switzerland.

If you're under 3.5t you can get a vignette for CHF40 that lasts 12 months.

Over 3.5t you pay the HVF which, last time I looked, is CHF3,25 per day and you have to prepay for a minimum of 10 days so for a short visit is actually cheaper. You stop and pay it at the border.



That's fine if you're going to move your van from the lakes nearer to Venice. It's about 100 miles of Italian roads from the South end of Lake Garda so probably not advisable on a scooter.

So sounds as though the train may be a better option for venice as too far on scooter, also we are over 3.0m (3.1m) so will that put us in the HGV category as if so it says it is 245 euros return for mont blanc tunnel?
 
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So sounds as though the train may be a better option for venice as too far on scooter, also we are over 3.0m (3.1m) so will that put us in the HGV category as if so it says it is 245 euros return for mont blanc tunnel?

Perhaps in theory but I very much doubt they would charge you that. Go to one of the manned booths and they will almost certainly charge you as a camping car.

If you're not planning to stop at all then the Luzern route Brian suggested is probably the way to go depending where you're headed for in Italy.

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zac

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Perhaps in theory but I very much doubt they would charge you that. Go to one of the manned booths and they will almost certainly charge you as a camping car.

If you're not planning to stop at all then the Luzern route Brian suggested is probably the way to go depending where you're headed for in Italy.

Great thanks for the info.
 
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zac

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Search "italian job".

Calais/Metz/Lucern/Italy. Grand route.

Just going through the italian job 2010 thread,it mentions ordering a switzerland vignette.Do i need to order 2 of these if i have a hydratrail trailer on the back of the motorhome so not a conventional trailer but dont want to get caught out? Also we are 4.5t so i am guessing i can only get this at the border.

Anyone know?
 
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hilldweller

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Just going through the italian job 2010 thread,it mentions ordering a switzerland vignette.Do i need to order 2 of these if i have a hydratrail trailer on the back of the motorhome so not a conventional trailer but dont want to get caught out?

Anyone know?

Yes you do, money grabbing gnomes !

But if over 3500 then maybe one vignette and one HGV ticket at the border.

Boy, was it that long ago ! Been back many times since.

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zac

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Yes you do, money grabbing gnomes !

But if over 3500 then maybe one vignette and one HGV ticket at the border.

Boy, was it that long ago ! Been back many times since.

So one vignette covers the hydratrail and the hgv ticket covers the motorhome as over 3.5t?
 

hilldweller

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So one vignette covers the hydratrail and the hgv ticket covers the motorhome as over 3.5t?

I don't know for sure, if you are lucky then HGV might include a trailer. You have to stop for the hgv so they will tell you.

It might sound a lot but we pay more for French toll roads.
 
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zac

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I don't know for sure, if you are lucky then HGV might include a trailer. You have to stop for the hgv so they will tell you.

It might sound a lot but we pay more for French toll roads.

I think that is better than paying for the mont blanc tunnel if we get charged the higher rate being over 3m high.

Are they any waypoints i can put in to the satnav to ensure i go the route you suggested as opposed to putting in the town names as wouldnt want to go directly into the main towns but need to ensure i do take this route. (I will be using a Tomtom Truck edition)

Appreciate the help

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hilldweller

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Are they any waypoints i can put in to the satnav

Appreciate the help

I've not got any, preferred method is write down the city names plus road numbers and follow that. Where a satnav usually wins is the last few miles in a city.

See if this link works then write down the route. Two stops I use are Metz ( make a small diversion and GPS needed for municipal site ) and Lucern ( again the lake front location of camping international is easier with GPS ).

https://goo.gl/maps/C3MAKKfe4Dz


PS the link works here on the PC that created it.
 
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You pay for a MH through the Mont Blanc tunnel not HGV irrespective how tall you are. I went through it twice last year and I'm 6 ton in weight towing a car on trailer with total length of 12 metres and only got charged the standard MH fee (think it was around €75 or there abouts.

David
 
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zac

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You pay for a MH through the Mont Blanc tunnel not HGV irrespective how tall you are. I went through it twice last year and I'm 6 ton in weight towing a car on trailer with total length of 12 metres and only got charged the standard MH fee (think it was around €75 or there abouts.

David
According to the site it says anything over 3m in height is charged as a hgv.

I think the Switzerland route will be more scenic to be honest.

Thanks for the info, how hard can it be. Worst comes to worst it will take longer to get there but I will then know for next time.

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zac

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I've not got any, preferred method is write down the city names plus road numbers and follow that. Where a satnav usually wins is the last few miles in a city.

See if this link works then write down the route. Two stops I use are Metz ( make a small diversion and GPS needed for municipal site ) and Lucern ( again the lake front location of camping international is easier with GPS ).

https://goo.gl/maps/C3MAKKfe4Dz


PS the link works here on the PC that created it.

I will give that a go later when I get home.

Thanks for the info.
 
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zac

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Anyone have any recommendations for some queit places to stay in and around lake como and lake garda, also around verona?

Also anywhere to stay near Rome so we can then either catch a train or motorcycle into Rome to do the tourist bit?

I have no idea to be honest, i have looked online but they all seem to be very commercialised which is understandable, perhaps some of you have managed to find a nice quiet spot and wouldnt mind sharing?

I am currnetly using campercontact / asci book / and the italian aires book

Thanks in advance.
 
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In two weeks you will struggle to appreciate the Italian lakes, Verona, Venice and Rome. Too much driving not enough chilling, Slow down and appreciate where you are, whizzing straight by Chamonix and the chance to visit the high Alps in Spring is a chance lost.
 
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zac

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In two weeks you will struggle to appreciate the Italian lakes, Verona, Venice and Rome. Too much driving not enough chilling, Slow down and appreciate where you are, whizzing straight by Chamonix and the chance to visit the high Alps in Spring is a chance lost.

Need to get as much as we can in, only have 2 weeks as then back to work. I will use this trip as a scouting trip so next time i will know exactly where to go and what to head for.

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