Honeymoon Road Trip - To Italy and back! Route/POIs Needed!
Discussion
So for our honeymoon in August we have decided to go on a road trip to Italy.
Upon first glances (haven't had chance to read through some similar threads on here yet), going via France, through Switzerland and to Garda/Verona looks a safe bet. Return trip though, maybe Austria/Germany/Belgium/Amsterdam..
Total trip time will be around 14-15 nights, want to spend 4-5 days in one place (e.g. by Lake Garda) to relax, but happy to spend 4-5 nights each way, staying in airbnbs/tents(maybe)/hotels/rooms_with_a_view.. romance is key.. plus great driving roads!
Chariot of choice will be a Golf R wagon..
Interesting routes (not too hairy on the passes as my vertigo may kick in..), POIs, nice scenary, romantic spots to stay etc.. all recommendations welcome.. in the mean time will start to look for other threads :-)
Thanks.. Go!
Upon first glances (haven't had chance to read through some similar threads on here yet), going via France, through Switzerland and to Garda/Verona looks a safe bet. Return trip though, maybe Austria/Germany/Belgium/Amsterdam..
Total trip time will be around 14-15 nights, want to spend 4-5 days in one place (e.g. by Lake Garda) to relax, but happy to spend 4-5 nights each way, staying in airbnbs/tents(maybe)/hotels/rooms_with_a_view.. romance is key.. plus great driving roads!
Chariot of choice will be a Golf R wagon..
Interesting routes (not too hairy on the passes as my vertigo may kick in..), POIs, nice scenary, romantic spots to stay etc.. all recommendations welcome.. in the mean time will start to look for other threads :-)
Thanks.. Go!
With the countries you're going through the list could be endless. From Garda to Verona you can go by bus which I'd recommend as parking will be difficult in Aug and you'd be able to have a drink.
Going to/from Garda visit the Dolomites which are stunning visually and to drive. From there it's not far to the Grossglockner Pass in Austria. This will be busy though.
There are many passes to drive in Switzerland, the most well known being the Andermatt loop, but there are many more. Make sure you get motorway passes (vignettes) for Austria and Switzerland, and many cities now require emissions stickers. Keep your eyes out for speed cameras almost anywhere. Loads in Italy, but many are dummies, and locals seem to ignore any of them, along with most traffic regulations! In France TAGs are useful for going through toll booths without having to stop.
Accommodation wise here are some we like:
Hotel Villa la Bollina (about 45 mins north of Genoa)
Casa del Portico (Mezzegra Lake Como)
La Maison Forte (Revigny Sur Ornain, France)
Hotels Pete and M3 (St Anton Austria)
Going to/from Garda visit the Dolomites which are stunning visually and to drive. From there it's not far to the Grossglockner Pass in Austria. This will be busy though.
There are many passes to drive in Switzerland, the most well known being the Andermatt loop, but there are many more. Make sure you get motorway passes (vignettes) for Austria and Switzerland, and many cities now require emissions stickers. Keep your eyes out for speed cameras almost anywhere. Loads in Italy, but many are dummies, and locals seem to ignore any of them, along with most traffic regulations! In France TAGs are useful for going through toll booths without having to stop.
Accommodation wise here are some we like:
Hotel Villa la Bollina (about 45 mins north of Genoa)
Casa del Portico (Mezzegra Lake Como)
La Maison Forte (Revigny Sur Ornain, France)
Hotels Pete and M3 (St Anton Austria)
We have been to Lake Garda quite a few times and absolutely adore it.
Malcesine is our favourite place to stay and can recommend the Hotel Castello or much cheaper but still very good Antonella (both have secure parking). The Dolomites are spectacular along with the vineyard area between the lakes & the mountains.
Malcesine is our favourite place to stay and can recommend the Hotel Castello or much cheaper but still very good Antonella (both have secure parking). The Dolomites are spectacular along with the vineyard area between the lakes & the mountains.
Hi OP,
Currently in the process of planning my own Euro tour (leaving in just under 5 weeks).
Here is a link to my Google Map that I'm using to plan – https://drive.google.com/open?id=1DjoZUM4IZ1GbnqIL...
It's a work in progress, but you can see I've plotted a lot of mountain passes, and some POI's, possible places to stay, and so on.
For reference, we're driving down to the Black Forest, then to Zurich, then east over to Austria, south down through the Dolomites to Lake Garda, then back up north through Switzerland and home.
Hope that helps a little.
Currently in the process of planning my own Euro tour (leaving in just under 5 weeks).
Here is a link to my Google Map that I'm using to plan – https://drive.google.com/open?id=1DjoZUM4IZ1GbnqIL...
It's a work in progress, but you can see I've plotted a lot of mountain passes, and some POI's, possible places to stay, and so on.
For reference, we're driving down to the Black Forest, then to Zurich, then east over to Austria, south down through the Dolomites to Lake Garda, then back up north through Switzerland and home.
Hope that helps a little.
https://www.domainedescarmesandspa.com/en
About 20 to 30 minutes outside Avignon. We've stayed here several times over the years, the majority with the original owners (ex-pats) who rebuilt it (IIRC it was almost ruins). Might have changed hands since our last yew a few years ago but still looks superb. Many an hour lounging by the pool but also great if you want to explore a little like Avignon, Aix-en-Provence and lots of Provencal villages.
About 20 to 30 minutes outside Avignon. We've stayed here several times over the years, the majority with the original owners (ex-pats) who rebuilt it (IIRC it was almost ruins). Might have changed hands since our last yew a few years ago but still looks superb. Many an hour lounging by the pool but also great if you want to explore a little like Avignon, Aix-en-Provence and lots of Provencal villages.
pisjo said:
Thanks.. Go!
Euro road trips are great, but can involve a number of needless expenses if not planned well.For example, if you are simply traveling through Switzerland purely to get to the other side then you'll have to fork out for a vignette. Similarly for Austria.
What I often do if going to northern Italy is avoid the toll roads in France and travel down through Germany, then make sure I spend a good few days in Switzerland (usually around Interlaken and Luzern areas) before heading off to another location.
Or avoid the expense of Switzerland altogether and spend a few days in the Austrian Alps.
I would recommend a stop at the San Pellegrino Therme Spa
https://www.qcterme.com/it/san-pellegrino/qc-terme...
Its like a waterpark for adults and you could easily spend a whole day there. Fresh fruit and salads and lovely drinks are all included in the entrance and its located between Como and Lake Garda so a perfect stop for a touring holiday.
If you plan a stop in Como we fell in love with Casa Sul Albero. Its a modern boutique design hotel with a help yourself bar and gardens overlooking the lake. http://casa-sullalbero.eu/?lang=it
https://www.qcterme.com/it/san-pellegrino/qc-terme...
Its like a waterpark for adults and you could easily spend a whole day there. Fresh fruit and salads and lovely drinks are all included in the entrance and its located between Como and Lake Garda so a perfect stop for a touring holiday.
If you plan a stop in Como we fell in love with Casa Sul Albero. Its a modern boutique design hotel with a help yourself bar and gardens overlooking the lake. http://casa-sullalbero.eu/?lang=it
Kewy said:
Here is a link to my Google Map that I'm using to plan – https://drive.google.com/open?id=1DjoZUM4IZ1GbnqIL...
It's a work in progress...
You need more Dolomites POIs!It's a work in progress...
Here are a few obvious ones that aren't too out of the way:
- Lago di Sorapis
- Lago di Carezza
- Seceda
Matt.. said:
You need more Dolomites POIs!
Here are a few obvious ones that aren't too out of the way:
- Lago di Sorapis
- Lago di Carezza
- Seceda
You sir, are a gent!Here are a few obvious ones that aren't too out of the way:
- Lago di Sorapis
- Lago di Carezza
- Seceda
Added to the map
Any good tips on somewhere to stay in the Dolomites, within driving distance of some of the POIs? We're doing this trip on a budget so the cheaper the better! Trying to keep hotels to £100 a night max
Kewy said:
Any good tips on somewhere to stay in the Dolomites, within driving distance of some of the POIs?
That depends if it’s one night or two, and which route you’re taking. Cortina and Selva are good areas of you have a few days at least. However I’d say if you get the chance you should stay on top of a mountain! Lagazuoi is easy as there’s a carpark at the bottom and a lift to the top, the views are also spectacular! Matt.. said:
That depends if it’s one night or two, and which route you’re taking. Cortina and Selva are good areas of you have a few days at least. However I’d say if you get the chance you should stay on top of a mountain! Lagazuoi is easy as there’s a carpark at the bottom and a lift to the top, the views are also spectacular!
Only really one night I think, still need to finalise our route but it is looking more like a one night per location and keep moving kind of trip.Checked out Lagazuoi, but they're either fully booked or not open until June
No beds whatsoever in April or May, then lots available in June.In case you wanted to cut out some of the driving there are trains from Germany to Italy that you can bring the car on and sleep overnight on the train, depends what you prefer but this would save some journey time allowing more time to enjoy the destination maybe.
https://www.autoreisezug-planer.de/motorail-servic...
We almost used one to go from Vienna to Hamburg when travelling home to Scotland in January this year, but the prices were quite high at that time so decided to drive in the end instead, but might work for you.
If you do go to Garda then I would recommend renting a boat, we happened to see a sign for it when eating at a restaurant by the lake so went back next day to rent one, wasn't too expensive and great way to see some of the sights and have fun on a 40hp boat for an hour or two, could bring a picnic with some champagne etc too maybe.
We did the same in Grado around the lagoon there which was even better, we had the boat for longer and lots of places to explore around, even seen signposts in the water for Venice, although we didn't venture that far...
ETA - We also went via the Dolomites and it was great exploring the roads there with some great picture spots, my wife wasn't so keen on the narrow roads having to squeeze past tourist buses etc, remember you will be on the outside of the road doing this with the UK car, just don't look down
https://www.autoreisezug-planer.de/motorail-servic...
We almost used one to go from Vienna to Hamburg when travelling home to Scotland in January this year, but the prices were quite high at that time so decided to drive in the end instead, but might work for you.
If you do go to Garda then I would recommend renting a boat, we happened to see a sign for it when eating at a restaurant by the lake so went back next day to rent one, wasn't too expensive and great way to see some of the sights and have fun on a 40hp boat for an hour or two, could bring a picnic with some champagne etc too maybe.
We did the same in Grado around the lagoon there which was even better, we had the boat for longer and lots of places to explore around, even seen signposts in the water for Venice, although we didn't venture that far...
ETA - We also went via the Dolomites and it was great exploring the roads there with some great picture spots, my wife wasn't so keen on the narrow roads having to squeeze past tourist buses etc, remember you will be on the outside of the road doing this with the UK car, just don't look down
Edited by Lazermilk on Tuesday 16th April 11:38
Edited by Lazermilk on Tuesday 16th April 11:39
Kewy said:
Only really one night I think, still need to finalise our route but it is looking more like a one night per location and keep moving kind of trip.
Checked out Lagazuoi, but they're either fully booked or not open until June No beds whatsoever in April or May, then lots available in June.
Most places in the mountains won't open until June.Checked out Lagazuoi, but they're either fully booked or not open until June
No beds whatsoever in April or May, then lots available in June.When are you going?
If you pass through the Valais in Switzerland (a nice route to Garda) then consider the thermal baths at Ovronnaz, Saillon and Leukerbad.
Also a day in Sion and/or a trip up to Grimentz, a beautiful Swiss village (you can do a day walk up to the Cabane de Moiry) which walks by a glacier.
Also a day in Sion and/or a trip up to Grimentz, a beautiful Swiss village (you can do a day walk up to the Cabane de Moiry) which walks by a glacier.
Awesome! I drove to Italy (Florence) 2015 to propose to my gf, who is now my wife, had the ring in the camera bag hidden in a lens (she had no idea at all)...drove all the way worrying with this dam thing in the boot!...she said yes anyway outside the Duomo
Same trip again this year (September) for our anniversary.
Can't help on routes as I go as the crow flies usually, boring I know but I like the open roads, France/Montblanc/Bologna etc sometimes Genoa/Rapallo...maybe Como/Switzerland on the return leg. I have family in Zurich so the return is more eventful usually.
Have fun, I love driving in Europe something so satisfying about it.
Same trip again this year (September) for our anniversary.
Can't help on routes as I go as the crow flies usually, boring I know but I like the open roads, France/Montblanc/Bologna etc sometimes Genoa/Rapallo...maybe Como/Switzerland on the return leg. I have family in Zurich so the return is more eventful usually.
Have fun, I love driving in Europe something so satisfying about it.
Edited by DailyHack on Tuesday 23 April 20:42
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