Visit To Stelvio Pass

[vickys]

Hi,

Yday i saw the program Top Gear where they showed the stelvio pass.
I was amazed with the roads and the views.
I want to visit the place, but don't have any idea how it is and how to get there
The probelm is i m confused that which country it belongs to (Italy/Switzerland)
I want this information so that i can apply for tourist visa.
I also came to know that the place is 200km from Monza, Italy or 162km from Innsbruck, Switzerland.
To be very frank i don't know anything in Europe expect Romania

It will be very good if someone can help to give some sites or information which will help me.
I saw the posts about Stelvio pass on this site and was very impressed.

Please help!!!!!

Thanks,
Vicky

[catso]

Stelvio pass is in Italy but runs up the mountain to the Swiss border. If you have Google Earth you can get a good view; type in 'passo dello stelvio' or 'stilfserjoch' to find it, amazing road but a little bleak in the winter months.



Check http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/PassoDelloSte... for weather conditions (a little cold at the moment).

Edited by catso on Thursday 17th April 19:04

[Olivero]

Just a quick warning.
Do not speed in Switzerland, the fines if you are caught are huge.
A shame really because the roads are almost empty, well marked and great fun.

[catso]

Olivero said:

Just a quick warning.
Do not speed in Switzerland, the fines if you are caught are huge.
A shame really because the roads are almost empty, well marked and great fun.

Or just don't get caught.........

[Scalper]

catso said:

Olivero said:

Just a quick warning.
Do not speed in Switzerland, the fines if you are caught are huge.
A shame really because the roads are almost empty, well marked and great fun.

Or just don't get caught.........

[Olivero]

Oh, should have also said to pick the time of day well. If you can face getting up early it is well worth making an early start. The (slow) trafic can get a bit bad either side of lunch.

Refill when you have the chance as there are not as many petrol stations as you think.

And you will find plenty of bikes who will be up for a play.

[sleep envy]

if you can get to France by 10pm you'll be at the passes by dawn

[blueyes]

TVR Moneypit said:

sleep envy said:

if you can get to France by 10pm you'll be at the passes by dawn

Is it possable to "do" France in a day?

Calais to Stelvio is about 600 miles. Should take you about 10 hours... or 8 if you're Italian.

[vickys]

Hi All,

Thanks a lot for your response.
As per my understanding from the reply, i need to get the visa of Italy.
I hope that the swiss border will allow me to pass if i have Italy tourist visa
I think that springs or after springs time is better to visit there.

Guys,
Can you suggest which car should be hired there?
How are the rentals placed?

Once again thanks for your replies.

Cheers,
Vicky

[blueyes]

vickys said:

Hi All,

Thanks a lot for your response.
As per my understanding from the reply, i need to get the visa of Italy.
I hope that the swiss border will allow me to pass if i have Italy tourist visa
I think that springs or after springs time is better to visit there.

Guys,
Can you suggest which car should be hired there?
How are the rentals placed?

Once again thanks for your replies.

Cheers,
Vicky

All airports have Car hire desks. You can book your car on-line here:

www.hertz.com
www.avis.com
www.budget.com
www.europcar.com
www.sixt.com

A fiat panda or similar will be easy to park and drive.... and cheap!

Check if they will let you take the car into Switzerland, I'm pretty sure you can, but best to be safe.

[catso]

blueyes said:

A fiat panda or similar will be easy to park and drive.... and cheap!

But hardly the most inspiring drive for the Stelvio...............

But hey, less likely to get caught speeding in Switzerland.

Edited by catso on Saturday 19th April 11:01

[vickys]

Hi,

I don't know which car will be the best to drive on the stelvio pass.
I would prefer a Four wheel drive, since i m already owning a nice Pajero 3 door 3.8L Sports Mode
But i m not sure if in Italy the 4 wheel drives are famous.
Might be i think i will go with some sedan.
I saw in the Top Gear and it is very hard to drive on stelvio pass. So atleast i want a car which will not give me 'Technical" difficulties like overheating, A/C not working

I hope that i m not exagerating with my questions

Please help.

[blueyes]

vickys said:

Hi,

I don't know which car will be the best to drive on the stelvio pass.
I would prefer a Four wheel drive, since i m already owning a nice Pajero 3 door 3.8L Sports Mode
But i m not sure if in Italy the 4 wheel drives are famous.
Might be i think i will go with some sedan.
I saw in the Top Gear and it is very hard to drive on stelvio pass. So atleast i want a car which will not give me 'Technical" difficulties like overheating, A/C not working

I hope that i m not exagerating with my questions

Please help.

Hertz have some sports models but it depends which airport you are using.
They used to have Mazda RX8's (perfect for the Stelvio, Mr. Catso ) but I'm not sure.
Which airport in Italy will you be using?

[Brav]

Awesome.. I just moved to Rome, and will make it a point to visit this spot!

With any luck, I will be able to bring my M12 from the States.

[vickys]

Guys,

You are great!!!!
I will definately going to come to visit the Stelvio Pass and i will drive around it.
I just need to get my visa formalities done and hope so that everything will be ok.

Once again thanks for the information.
It really helped.

Cheers,
Vikram Shinde